Several days after the terrorist attacks of 9-11-01 Bruce Springsteen was in Sea Bright, a small town on the Jersey shore. He was
driving out of a parking lot as a fan passed him in another car. The man rolled down his window and
shouted, 'We need you!' and drove away. "It was the kind of moment," Springsteen said,
that makes his career worthwhile. 'That's part of my job,' he said. 'It's an honor to find that
place in the audience's life."1 On September 21st, ten days after the terrorist attacks, Springsteen
was the opening act in the telecast of "America-A Tribute to Heroes," a telethon arranged by those in the entertainment
community to benefit the victims of the attacks in New York City.Washington D.C. and Shanksville, Pa.
Over one hundred million people, including eighty nine million Americans, watched as the show was broadcast on thirty five network and cable TV stations.2 Viewers pledged over 150 million dollars.3 "This is a prayer for our fallen brothers and sisters," Springsteen said, as he started into "My City of Ruins."4
There's a blood red circle
On the cold dark ground
And the rain is falling down
The church door's thrown open
I can hear the organ's song
But the congregation's gone
My city of ruins
My city of ruins
Springsteen had written the song a year before the 9-11 attacks, and though the actual subject
was the town of Asbury Park, N. J., the lyrics made sense in the context of what had occured
in New York City.
Now the sweet bells of mercy
Drift through the evening trees
Young men on the corner
Like scattered leaves
The boarded up windows
The empty streets
And 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
Come on rise up, Come on rise up
Come on rise up
The sense of longing and loneliness portrayed by Springsteen reflected the national mood during the
weeks following the attacks. Springsteen captured the sense of
frustration that gripped the nation.
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
Tell me how do I begin again?
My city's in ruins
My city's in ruins
Springsteen, no stranger to the American psyche, felt that there was hope for recovery from our losses,
and prayed for the ability to "Rise Up" from the ashes of desparation, a concept he would later
expand upon when he released "The Rising," an album addressing 9-11 survivor issues.
Now with these hands, with these hands
With these hands, with these hands
I pray Lord
With these hands, with these hands
I pray for the strength Lord
With these hands, with these hands
I pray for the faith Lord
With these hands, with these hands
We pray for your love Lord
With these hands, with these hands
Pray for the lost Lord
With these hands, with these hands
Pray for this world Lord
With these hands, with these hands
Pray for the strength Oh Lord
With these hands, with these hands
Pray for the strength Lord
With these hands
Come on, come on,
Come on, Rise Up! Come on Rise Up!
Come on, Rise Up! Come on Rise Up!
Come on, Rise Up! Come on Rise Up!
Come on, Rise Up! Come on Rise Up!
Come on, Rise Up! Come on Rise Up!
Come on Rise Up!
Why was Springsteen chosen to open the telethon tribute? At least twenty other musical acts appeared
on the show, including Billy Joel, Neil Young, Paul Simon and Willie Nelson. A number of movie stars
introduced the musicians and provided commentary.5 Why did "My City of Ruins" introduce a media event
witnessed by one of the largest TV audiences in history? Why Bruce Springsteen?
