Music to remember 9/11

There was a memorable line of communication between friends in New York City and people hundreds and thousands of miles away from the scene of the crime 11 years ago today when the horrifying attacks occurred at the World Trade Center, as well as the Pentagon and in the sky over Pennsylvania.

(Image:  U.S. National Park Service/Wikipedia)

It came via the internet.  It allowed people from all over the world to communicate with online friends who were witnessing or had witnessed the tragedy unfolding around them from too close of a range.  On that day, with the images beamed all around the world as events unfolded, it was like everyone was seeing it from too close of a range.  We didn't want to see it happen at all.

I communicated with people online through a progressive rock music discussion website, people who had witnessed what happened at the towers firsthand.  They were shocked beyond description.  They needed to pour out their emotions.

One online friend was a retired sheriff and volunteer firefighter from the suburbs of New York City.  He knew way too many people -- personal friends of his -- who ran into the towers to try and rescue people still inside only to lose their own lives.  It was that retired sheriff and firefighter who came up with a perfect song for that time, mentioning it on that music discussion website as people were trying to come to grips with the tragedy.

The song was "Undertow" by Genesis, with words and music by keyboard player Tony Banks.

The curtains are drawn
Now the fire warms the room.
Meanwhile outside
Wind from the north-east chills the air,
It will soon be snowing out there.

And some there are
Cold, they prepare for a sleepless night.
Maybe this will be their last fight.

But we’re safe in each others embrace,
All fears go out as I look on your face -

Better think awhile
Or I may never think again.
If this were the last day of your life, my friend,
Tell me, what do you think you would do then?

Stand up to the blow that fate has struck upon you,
Make the most of all you still have coming to you, [or]
Lay down on the ground and let the tears run from you,
Crying to the grass and trees and heaven finally on your knees

Let me live again, let life come find me wanting.
Spring must strike again against the shield of winter.
Let me feel once more the arms of love surround me,
Telling me the dangers past, I need not fear the icy blast again.

Laughter, music and perfume linger here
And there, and there,
Wine flows from flask to glass and mouth,
As it soothes, confusing our doubts.

And soon we feel,
Why do a single thing to-day,
There’s tomorrow sure as I’m here.

So the days they turn into years
And still no tomorrow appears.

Better think awhile
Or I may never think again.
If this were the last day of your life, my friend,
Tell me, what do you think you would do then?

Stand up to the blow that fate has struck upon you,
Make the most of all you still have coming to you, [or]
Lay down on the ground and let the tears run from you,
Crying to the grass and trees and heaven finally on your knees

Let me live again, let life come find me wanting.
Spring must strike again against the shield of winter.
Let me feel once more the arms of love surround me,
Telling me the dangers past, I need not fear the icy blast again.