Memory in Song (I)

It’s still surprisingly hard to write about 9/11. It galls me to see, again, our national “leaders” exploit this tragedy for political ends. And it saddens me that we don’t seem to have learned any lessons. So it’s really not in me to pen something deep and insightful. Instead, I’ll fall back on the melodic musings of Jackson Browne, writing long before today but seeing, apparently, the same sickening game.

“For America”
Jackson Browne
Lives in the Balance

As if I really didn’t understand
That I was just another part of the plan
I went on looking for the promise, believing in the motherland.
From the comfort of a dreamer’s bed
And the comfort of my own head
I went off speaking of the future while others fought and bled
The kid I was when I first left home
Was looking for his freedom and a life of his own
But the freedom wasn’t so sweet
When the truth was known.

I have prayed for America
I was made for America
It’s in my blood and in my bones
By the dawn’s early light
By all I know is right
We’re gonna reap what we have sown.

As if freedom was a question of might
As if loyalty was black and white
You hear people say it all the time “My country, wrong or right”.
I wanna know what that’s got to do
With what it takes to find out what’s true
With everyone from the President on down
Trying to keep it from you.

The thing I wonder about the dads and moms
Who send their sons to the Viet Nams
Will they really think their way of life
Has been protected when the next war comes.

I have prayed for America
I was made for America
Her shining dream plays in my mind
By the rocket’s red glare
A generation’s blank stare
We’d better wake her up this time.

The kid I was when I first left home
Was looking for his freedom and a life of his own
But the freedom wasn’t so sweet
When the truth was known.

I have prayed for America
I was made for America
I can’t let go ’til she’s come ’round
Until the land of the free
Is awake and can see —
Until her conscience has been found.