September 11, 2007

7 years ago this morning I was in bed when the phone rang.

This morning I watched the sunrise out my window on the way to work and could only think about what I saw back then.

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day?

Were you in the yard with your wife and children

or working on some stage in LA?

Did you stand there in shock at the sight of that black smoke

rising against that blue sky

Did you shout out in anger in fear for your neighbor

or did you just sit down and cry?

Did you weep for the children who lost their dear loved ones

pray for the ones who don't know?

Did you rejoice for the people who walked from the rubble

or sob for the ones left below?

Did you burst out in pride for the red white and blue?

Or the heroes who died just doing what they do

Did you look up to heaven for some kind of answer

or look at yourself and what really matters?

I'm just a singer of simple songs I'm not a real political man

I watch CNN but I'm not sure if I can tell you

the difference in Iraq and Iran

But I know Jesus and I talk to God and I remember this from when I was young

Faith, hope and love are some good things he gave us

and the greatest is love.

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day?

Teaching a class full of innocent children,

driving down some cold interstate?

Did you feel guilty cuz you're a survivor

in a crowded room did you feel alone?

Di you call up your mother and tell her you loved her?

Did you dust off that Bible at home?

Did you open your eyes, hope it never happened?

Close your eyes and not go to sleep?

Did you notice the sunset for the first time in ages

speak to some stranger on the street?

Did you lay down at night, think of tomorrow

go out and buy you a gun?

Did you turn off that violent old movie you're watching

and turn on I Love Lucy re-runs?

Did you go to church and hold hands with some stranger

stand in line and give your own blood?

Did you just stay home and cling tight to your family

thank God you had somebody to love?

I'm just a singer of simple songs I'm not a real political man

I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you 

the difference in Iraq and Iran.

But I know Jesus and I talk to God and I remember this from when I was young

Faith, hope and love are some good things he gave us

and the greatest is love

and the greatest is love

Where were you when the world stopped turning, that September day?

by Alan Jackson