Where Were You?

Here's one song -- pushing private remembrance -- that has held up over time...

Where were you when the world
stopped turning that September day?
Out in the yard with your wife and children,
workin' 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 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
or 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 in pride
for the red, white, and blue,
and the heroes who died
just doing 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 could 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
'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;
hope it never happened...
or close your eyes and not go to sleep?

Did you notice the sunset
for the first time in ages,
or 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 watching
and turn on I Love Lucy reruns?

Did you go to a 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 could 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.

Songwriter:
~ Jackson, Alan Eugene.