That September Day ~ Alan Jackson
Where were you when the world stopped turning
that September day,
Out in the yard with your wife and children
Or workin on some stage in LA
Did you stand there in shock
At the sight of that black smoke risin' against that blue sky
Did you shout out in anger and 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 dont know
Did you rejoice for the people who walked from the rubble
And sob for the ones left below
Did you burst out in pride for the red white and blue
And the heros who died just doin what they do
Did you look up to heaven for some kind of answer
And look at yourself and what really matters
*Chorus*
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
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
Teachin' a class full of innocent children
Driving down some cold interstate
Did you feel guilty cause you're a survivor
In a crowded room did you feel alone
Did you call up your mother and tell her you love her
Did you dust off that bible at home
Did you open your eyes and 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 and think of tomorrow
Go out an buy you a gun
Did you turn off that violent old movie you're watchin'
And turn on 'I Love Lucy' re-runs
Did you go to church and hold hands with some stangers
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
*Chorus*
*Chorus*
And the greatest is love
And the greatest is love
Where were you when the world stoped turning,
that September day
that September day,
Out in the yard with your wife and children
Or workin on some stage in LA
Did you stand there in shock
At the sight of that black smoke risin' against that blue sky
Did you shout out in anger and 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 dont know
Did you rejoice for the people who walked from the rubble
And sob for the ones left below
Did you burst out in pride for the red white and blue
And the heros who died just doin what they do
Did you look up to heaven for some kind of answer
And look at yourself and what really matters
*Chorus*
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
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
Teachin' a class full of innocent children
Driving down some cold interstate
Did you feel guilty cause you're a survivor
In a crowded room did you feel alone
Did you call up your mother and tell her you love her
Did you dust off that bible at home
Did you open your eyes and 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 and think of tomorrow
Go out an buy you a gun
Did you turn off that violent old movie you're watchin'
And turn on 'I Love Lucy' re-runs
Did you go to church and hold hands with some stangers
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
*Chorus*
*Chorus*
And the greatest is love
And the greatest is love
Where were you when the world stoped turning,
that September day
Where were you on this day 11 years ago?? I was 14 years old and on a family vacation. We went to Poinsett State Park in South Carolina. We didn't have a lot of money back then and family vacations were a real treat. I remember that we hiked and fished a lot that week and it was a real time of family togetherness! We had no tv or radio. It was so nice to just hang out together without distractions!
The morning of September 11, 2001 was a relaxed morning for us. It was our last day of vacation and we were in no rush to get home. Mom and dad had left us to fish and they went to the main building to talk to the park ranger about the alligator incident earlier in the morning. I remember them walking back and telling us that we had to pack everything up and head home early because something terrible had happened and Daddy needed to be available for work. So we packed everything up and got in the car. My parents told us what happened and at that point I didn't know much about the World Trade Centers. But shortly after that I knew that what had happened was a very horrible thing! We listened to the radio the entire way home. Even at 14 I felt very motivated to do something. But what could I do?? I couldn't donate blood. I wasn't a firefighter or paramedic. I wasn't really old enough to do anything of "importance" but I was old enough to pray! Boy, did I pray! I distinctly remember being very frightened because my dad was a firefighter/paramedic and he may have to join crews looking for victims. I knew it was dangerous and my dad never backed down from a challenge. Especially since some of his "brothers" had lost their lives doing what they loved doing! All I could think about as a young teenage girl is, "If he goes, will he come back alive?" Yes, selfish but who wants to lose their dad willingly?
When we made it home, we turned on the tv. We finally got to see the horror that we had been hearing about on the radio. It was way worse than anything I could ever imagine! We finally heard about the Pentagon being hit and we did know people that worked there. Then the plane went down in the field. It was all so horrific. It was all anybody would talk about. It was a very hard time for all of America. Some people sought God's face and churches all across America were more full than normal for a while and some people cursed God wondering how He could let such a horrendous thing happen. When I think back to that time, all I can think about it the pain and suffering of a nation.
Where were you on that terrible September day?
