A Musical Remembrance of 9/11

September 09, 2010

On September 11, 2001, America changed forever as a result of the terrorist attacks in New York, Washington D.C., and Pennsylvania. It is a day we will never forget. Across our great nation a variety of events will be held to honor those who lost their lives, were injured, or performed heroic actions on that horrific day. Many will attend these public memorials.

Memorializing life-changing events through music is a personal form of expression and remembrance. Music has been described as the universal language, capable of describing the thoughts and feelings of many. One album written in response to 9/11 is The Rising by Bruce Springsteen. The following exerpt from Kevin Cherry's 2002 review, Come on Up for the Rising, describes the album:

“In many ways, this album is more satisfying than most of the artistic response to September 11. Anthems like "Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue" and "Freedom" are just that: songs that shout a lot but say little. Springsteen has always found his heroes in everyday events, and the firefighters and policemen of 9/11 are the archetypes of people he has written about for thirty years. The universality of their heroism allows him to write something deeper, more meaningful, than Toby Keith or Paul McCartney did.”

This Saturday, I think I will have my own private musical remembrance of 9/11 by spending some quiet, thoughtful moments of reflection. 

Gayla S.
Colbern Road Branch