topnav
:: journal :: friends :: vault :: links :: slo :: work::

when the towers came down

My friend Stuart Helmintoller wrote this song. Stu plays Irish music, but grew up in West Virginia, so also plays "old-time" folk. Stu said, "Check out this new song I wrote. Feel free to pass it on, edit or add or delete verses, that's the folk process. (of course, if it's no good it won't go anywhere!) The tune is from an early American song called the Wagoner's Lad that I learned back home in West Virginia."


Oh where were you when the towers came down?
When Manhattan shook with a horrible sound
Four thousand nine hundred and twenty three died
And all of America sat down and cried.

Oh where were you when the twin towers fell?
One hundred ten stories were blown all to hell
Oh hard is the fortune of those left behind
When Death comes a-knockin' he's always unkind.

Oh where were you when the silver jets flew?
American Airlines, United Air too
September 11, we all know the day
When the World Trade Center was blown away.

Oh where were you when the hijackers came?
They ordered us all to the back of the plane
We called up our loved ones and bid them goodbye
As red balls of fire they lit up the sky.

Oh where were you when the firemen came?
The towers still standing, all covered in flame
They helped us escape, it's the last thing they did
210 heroes were never seen again.

Oh where were you when the President said
We'll hunt down those killers, we'll make sure they're dead
Oh the pathway of hatred is wicked and steep
And whatever we sow that is what we shall reap.

Oh where were you when we dishonored the flag?
We assaulted our neighbor, we forced him to beg
You can't judge a person by religion or skin
And it comes back around, what we do to him.

Oh where were you when the towers came down?
When Manhattan shook with a horrible sound
Four thousand nine hundred and twenty three died
And all of America sat down and cried.

Next | Previous | Journal Index
:: home :: journal :: friends :: vault :: links :: slo :: work::