Union Songs

September 11th

A song by Keith McKenry & Bruce Watson©Keith McKenry & Bruce Watson 2003

His orders came through on September 11th at dawn
The planes would attack their targets, according to plan
Some would aim for the centres of commerce
Some would strike at the military's heart
But to him fell the mission's most lofty task

The President himself, the ultimate symbol of power
Was his target. They would make this proud nation cower
This regime of infidels who'd strayed from the truth
This arrogant leader elected by fools
This so-called 'democracy' that broke all the unwritten rules

His team was well chosen, these brave faithful men would not flinch
Though their task was so daunting, the stakes high, so too the risks
But they were trained well, equipped and supported
By powerful friends far away
With right on their side they prayed they would triumph that day

Every detail in place, his task now to follow the plan
His fate, and that of his men, was in his own hands
With steely resolve they boarded the plane
As the city approached he flew low and aimed
And prayed to his god that his aim would be true
And prayed to his god that his aim would be true

(Instrumental)

The attack succeeded, by evening the president lay dead
His palace destroyed. These are the last words he said
As he spoke to his people on the radio
He said, "I will defend our democracy with my own life"
He could have fled, but he chose to stand firm when the bombers arrived

So Salvador Allende of Chile was murdered that day
And the Junta then slaughtered thousands who stood in their way
And the US was there behind the scenes
When democracy died, and terror was unleashed
On September 11th, 1973
On September 11th, 1973.

Notes

Many thanks to Keith McKenry & Bruce Watson for permission to add this song to the Union Songs collection.

Bruce writes:
" This is based on a poem written by Keith last year (2002). It was such an amazing piece that I couldn't resist reworking it's free verse into a song structure."

This song is on the CD A Moving Feast featuring the Great Southern Band.

Visit Bruce's website at http://www.geocities.com/brucewatson1

Find more of Bruce's songs on this site

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union songs..........a selection by mark gregory