Often, songwriting is simply a way of trying to understand.

In this case, the events that followed 9/11: what people said, often in my presence, and what the federal government proposed, was unsettling. Some people spoke from a position of clarity. When they said that now things were different, that things had changed, it seemed as if they now knew what the road ahead looked like, where we stood, what we should now do. In some way, they almost seemed to feel better. Assumed clarity can do that.

I wasn't really interested in writing a song related to the 9/11 tragedy. In fact, I didn't want to. I just did.

Buildings Tumbling Down

Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.
   — Ben Franklin, 1755

 

when you woke up this morning
you were somehow different, somehow changed
what was good was now much better
what was dark now sees the light of day

you say that we’re united
brothers and sisters in a common land
stars and stripes, another war, but this one’s right
flags are waving, god is waiting with an open hand

when those buildings came tumbling down
did it make you stop and turn around
was it the sight, was it the thundering sound
of those buildings tumbling down

well you’re almost glad it happened
we were asleep but we’re awake now
it’s just what this country needed
it’s just what this country needed to be proud

when those buildings came tumbling down
did it make you stop and turn around
was it the sight, was it the thundering sound
of those buildings tumbling down

freedom, did you hear it ring
like a golden bell, like the angels sing
freedom, did you hear it call
when you watched those buildings fall

when the government came knocking
saying they had a little deal for you
trade a little freedom for your security
tell me, what did you do

when those buildings came tumbling down
did it make you stop and turn around
was it the sight, was it the thundering sound
of those buildings tumbling down