Artists Registry

Dear all,

I am a teacher and singer-songwriter from New York State who experienced 9/11. Recently, I was (finally) able to put down my feelings of that horrible day that we will never forget into what I hope is a moving song.

I included footage of the attacks and of the aftermath as a visual means to accompany the narrative of the song, which has an on the move tempo.

I chose not to embellish in sadness using minor chords, but rather juxtaposed the lyrics to major chord changes (save one change into A minor) in order to emanate the resilience and strength I think we all felt as New Yorkers and Americans in the face of the tragedy despite our grief.

It is not an upbeat song, however. Rather "Smoke Stained Sky" is a fusion of my persona as a musician and the recollection of the experiences I had that fateful day.

The lyrics are as follows:

"Smoke Stained Sky"

Oh I turned away and held my head and cried
Oh the smoke stained sky

Was on my way to work that morning
on that E train ride
Tuesday morning’s sunshine
occupied the New York sky

Who would have thought 'bout an hour from then
hijacked planes would be on their way?
The aftermath 59th Street Bridge --
I was looking down at the World Trade

Oh no n-n-no people passing by
Oh Lord people terrified
Oh no n-n-no the smoke stained sky
Oh Lord how many have died?

My eyes were led into a piercing stare
(oh how they stared)
Planes of sorrow through my body plied
(oh how they plied)
And wanting those Twin Towers to be there
(somehow there)

I turned away and held my head and cried
(Oh yes I did)
Oh the smoke stained sky

Oh no n-n-no get a-runnin' home
Oh no n-n-no can’t use my phone
Oh no n-n-no where is my wife?
Oh Lord how many have died?

I turned away and held my head and cried
Oh the smoke stained sky

.................

May all the victims of the attacks rest in eternal peace. May all who were injured and/or were traumatized and mentally suffered (and still may suffer)...may all find healing and peace.

All the best,
Aron