It was a pretty normal Northern California morning. I had driven to the BART (train) station in Pleasanton, the new on the radio. It was somewhere in the 5am hour, as I was parking the car. Someone interrupted the normal broadcast on KGO, saying there were vague unconfirmed reports about a plane hitting the World Trade Center. They said it almost happened a lot, the buildings being so tall, and as reports came in, they would let us know. The train was pulling in, and I saw Joe, and we ran for the train.

***
About 70-80 minutes later, Joe and I are walking to the building from the BART station. I reemmber, and ask Joe if he heard anything about it. He hadn't. As we approached the building we saw 25-30 people all watching the TV screens in the lobby. I looked at Joe and said, "Something bad happened."

***
Needless to say, nobody was doing any work. Another 90 minutes went by, and our boss came around and told everyone to go home. Everyone was getting out of the City.

***
I called Mary from the train and told her I was on my way home.

"Are you watching TV?" I said.

"No, I just woke up. Why?"

"Turn it on. It doesn't matter what channel."

The TV went on. Mary said, "Oh, my God!"

***
Where were you when the world stopped turning on that
September day?
Were you in the yard with your wife and children?
Or working 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
In fear for your neighbor?
Or did you just sit down and cry?

Did you weep for the children
Who lost their dear loved ones
And 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 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 can 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 on that
September day?
Teaching a class full of innocent children?
Or 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 loved her?
Did you dust off that Bible at home?
Did you open your eyes, hope it never happened?
Close your eyes and not go to sleep?
Did you notice the sunset the first time in ages?
Speak with 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 home movie you're watching
And turn on "I Love Lucy" reruns?
Did you go to a church and hold hands with some strangers?
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 can 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

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 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

And the greatest is Love
And the greatest is Love

Where were you when the world stopped turning on that September day?

-- Alan Jackson