Light A Candle for 9/11

This month is of course on the minds of us all. Hard to believe 10 years have passed since the attacks on the WTC Twin Towers, the Pentagon and the heroic acts that prevented a fourth strike ending in a field in Pennsylvania. In the aftermath, I co-wrote a song called "Light A Candle" with my friend Michael Goldberg. It was produced locally by Robb Torgler, founder of the wildly popular band Butter. My lyrics will say much as to the meaning of the song, but Michael's music and the amazing vocals of two then-15 year old girls (Natalie Prass and Adrianne Warren) was a statement of hope sung by children for children. Though many if not most of today's primary and middle-school students were too young to understand, or simply not born yet, 9/11 may be a kind of mystery that everyone speaks loudly about. The images make it easy for all ages to understand it was a very hard time for our country. But the unity it brought was unprecedented, and with so much being done this week in remembrance of that day, we are all encouraged to find ways to "Make a Difference." For a child it can start with something very simple and symbolic. Light a Candle. For remembrance is so important, and after 10 years, it is more important than ever to continually keep the families who lost loved ones in our hearts and prayers...the first responders and those who make it a living putting themselves at risk for our safety...fire, police, EMT, military...we need to still thank them every day on the street...fly the flag...a multifaceted eternal flame of thanks and hope.

"Light A Candle" was written for our Non-Profit educational program "Magic - The State of the Arts," a PBS award-winning program utilizing music, art and the internet to make learning fun. While this song was more serious than many in the program, it addressed the fears children had following the tragedy. It was created to help kids dialogue with parents, teachers, and other children as to why "bad" things have to happen sometimes. How to find a way to better understand what 9/11 was about. How to strive together to find healing. Played and sung in classes, kids then could create art reflecting the feelings the song and the event stirred. A colorful catharsis to healing. For a copy of this song or more information on this song, and the dozens of other tunes written in correlation with the SOLs designed to help get better test scores and make learning fun for kids of all ages, please email me at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). An mp3 of "Light A Candle" can be heard on the Virginia Beach Public Schools website at http://www.vbschools.com.

Please read these lyrics. Please share them with your kids and others you love.

"Light A Candle"

Music: Michael Goldberg

Lyrics: Eric Worden

The sun doesn't always shine

As brightly as it could

And sometimes the way we feel

Isn't always good . . . or understood

On a morning, when the sky was so blue and so clear

Four eagles . . . flying high in the air

Then a storm-wind blows . . . but wherever they go

Have no fear

Light a candle when you're feeling afraid

Light a candle for the price we've paid

Let us sing a serenade . . .

We will never let our sunlight fade

Light a candle for the volunteers

Light a candle for each and every tear

All across the hemispheres

Let the voice of freedom fill our cheers!

It's okay to be happy or sad

It's okay to cry

It's natural to feel angry and mad

There's no "good" in goodbye . . . keep askin' "Why?"

On a morning, when the sky is so blue and so clear

Four eagles . . . flying high in the air

Then clouds appear . . . but your friends are here

Have no fear

Light a candle when you're feeling alone

Light a candle for the many unknown

Though it chills us to the bone

Say a prayer in each and every home

Light a candle for the home of the brave

Light a candle for the souls that they saved

The very lives these heroes gave

Fly the flag and let Old Glory wave!

Why is it people will do bad things?

They can't destroy all that goodness brings

What are we gonna do? (child questions?)

We'll be protecting you (parents/teachers reassure)

Fear is invisible

We're indivisible

Talkin' 'bout liberty

And don't forget justice for all

Hear the eagles call

Light a candle for every name

Light a candle for the fears you tame

It may never be the same

Candle be an eternal flame

Light a candle the world can see

Light a candle for unity

From sea to shining sea

Light a candle for you and . . . me