911
...rough music calling to each and every American to stand up and support their country in the decision to go to war that ensued after the vicious attacks. This song has the ability to force this American to tears and cause pride to swell for this great nation built on freedom. The song is called “Have You Forgotten?” At this point in all our lives we have come to face a decision on whether to sit back and allow terrorists to attack the heart of this country or attack before they get the chance to strike again. The song’s authors believe firmly that Americans should never forget what they took from us and that this is what we are fighting for: freedom not to be attacked on American soil. “I hear people saying we don’t need this war/ I say there’s some things worth fighting for”(1,2). They call to each and every American with challenging words, “What about our freedom and this piece of ground/ We didn’t get to keep them by backing down”(3,4) In case Americans have forgotten, we are free Americans because we fought for our independence in the 1700’s and defeated England. Independence here is a given within the country, but no one said that it would be a free ride after our war for independence. You want freedom and equality? Stand up for you country, fight for the freedom we all deserve. “They say we don’t realize the mess we’re getting in/ Before you start preaching let me ask you this my friend/ Have you forgotten how it felt that day?”(5,6). The remaining lines of this song follow the same flow of thought. The second reprise discusses the all too controversial issue of the footage of the towers falling. When the towers first fell that day the televisions in this country were flooded with the image of the towers falling, interviews with victims and their families, and private tapes of the destruction that occurred in the few short hours that morning. When it came to the images that were more horrifying and gruesome the media decided what should and shouldn’t be shown to the citizens of this country. . “They took all the footage off my T.V./ Said it’s too disturbing for you and me.” The writers of this song, as many Americans did, question the right of the media to censor what was seen of the gruesome site that was the twin towers. “It’ll just breed anger that’s what the experts say/ If it was up to me I’d show it everyday”(15,16). They also combat the opinion in this country, then and now, that the United States of America was just a bully trying to keep control and start war. “Some say this country’s just out looking for a fight/ After 9/11 man, I’d have to say that’s right”(17,18). These writers obviously believe in the maturity and stamina of this country to handle the photos of that day and to stand up beside this country and fight for the right to be free. The third reprise directly references the state of mind of the country at this date in time. “I’ve been there with the soldiers/ Who’ve gone away to war/ And you can bet that they remember/ Just what they’re fighting for”(26,27,28). Everyone in this country probably knows a brother, a father, a fr...