Story Behind The Song

This was the song I wrote 3 days after 9/11. I live in Jersey City, right across the Hudson from where the Twin Towers were, and as I wrote this song, the smoke was still lingering in the air. This song is also referring to the way everyone went out of their way to send unconditional love to everyone, while we were all experiencing such fear and adversity. As difficult and tragic as it was, it was also a most incredible experience to see so much love radiate from the people of New York City.

Lyrics

As I looked across the river
I saw the pride of the city
Lit up like 2 cigarettes

And as I watched in horror
As everything crumbled
And burned in my memory an image
I never will forget

And this has hit so hard -- right in our backyard
With thousands who won't be coming home again
But we'll stand close in this fight
In reverence to our heros' sacrifice
When the city of a million strangers
Can feel like closest friends

And as we stood up in screaming silence
Wondering where God was
And how could this be part of the plan

But this is just fear at it's peak
And the angels are crying
At the emptiness and the arrogance
Of the worst side of man

And this has hit so hard -- leaving our souls scarred
With thousands who won't be coming home again
But we'll stand close in this fight
And pray for our heroes' sacrifice
And we'll find God in a million hearts and open hands


And we'll stand close in this fight
And pray for our heroes' sacrifice
And we'll find God in a million hearts and open hands


Oh beautiful for human kind
And a skyline by the sea
Oh God bless America
And have mercy