The Healing Journey

September 11, 2024

When singer Alan Jackson first learned about the terrorist attacks of 9/11, he wanted to write a song expressing his emotions, but as hard as he tried, he couldn’t. “I didn’t want to write a patriotic song,” Jackson said. “And I didn’t want it to be vengeful, either. But I didn’t want to forget about how I felt and how I knew other people felt that day.”

On October 28, 2001, around 4 a.m. he woke up and the opening lines and chorus began forming in his mind and he got out of bed and recorded them. When his family went to church, he sat down and finished writing the lyrics.

Several days later he performed it for the first time at the Country Music Association’s awards ceremony to a standing ovation. The song got Jackson his first Grammy Award for “Best Country Song” in addition to other honors from the Academy of Country Music.

Today, we remember the 2,977 people — including 343 firefighters of the FDNY — from 93 nations killed in New York City, the 184 killed at the Pentagon, and the 40 killed on Flight 93 during the attacks by the Islamist terrorist group al-Qaeda.

Listen to Alan Jackson sing “Where Were You,”
(https://youtu.be/mwcWVs4Eejg?si=6kSE3KIY9bqBJw-p)

Where Were You?

Where were you when the world stopped turnin’
That September day?
Were you in the yard with your wife and children
Or workin’ on some stage in L.A.?
Did you stand there in shock at the sight of that black smoke
Risin’ 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, they lost their dear loved ones
Pray for the ones who don’t know?
Did you rejoice for the people who walked from the rubble
And sob for the ones left below?
Did you burst out with pride for the red, white, and blue
And the heroes 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?
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 diff’rence 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 turnin’
That September day?
Teachin’ a class full of innocent children
Or drivin’ 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
And speak to some stranger on the street?
Did you lay down at night and think of tomorrow
Go out and buy you a gun?
Did you turn off that violent old movie you’re watchin’
And turn on I Love Lucy reruns?
Did you go to a church and hold hands with some strangers
Stand in line to 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 diff’rence 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
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 diff’rence 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
And the greatest is love
Where were you when the world stopped turnin’
On that September day?

Songwriters: Alan Jackson
Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning) lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

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