As a big Springsteen fan, I found his song to open the telethon both appropriate and haunting. He actually wrote this song a few years be-fore the events of September 11. If anyone cares, here's the lyrics:

There's a blood red circle on the cold dark ground and the rain is falling down The church door's blown open I can hear the organ's sound but the congregation's gone

My city of ruins My city of ruins

Now the sweet veils of mercy drift through the evening trees Young men on the corner like scattered leaves The bordered up windows The hustlers and thieves While my brother's down on his knees

My city of ruins My city of ruins

Come on rise up! Come on rise up! Come on rise up! Come on rise up!

Now there's tears on the pillow darling where we slept and you took my heart when you left without your sweet kiss my soul is lost, my friend Now tell me how do I begin again?

My city's in ruins My city's in ruins

Now with these hands I pray Lord with these hands for the strength my Lord with these hands for the faith Lord with these hands I pray Lord with these hands for the strength Lord with these hands for the faith Lord with these hands

Come on Rise up! Come on Rise up! Come on Rise up! Come on Rise up Rise up

-- Anonymous, September 23, 2001

Answers

Nice to see you, CJS. Hope all is well with you.

That whole telethon was so moving. Personally, I cried through most of it...got a feeling that the tears won't let up any time soon.

Here's a link to a story. If you scroll half way down the page, you can get another link (on the left side of the page) to a slide show and hear the songs.

God Bless America

-- Anonymous, September 24, 2001