Long-time country music favorite Alan Jackson received a standing ovation after his performance of "Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)." Gill made mention in Jackson's introduction that the new tune had only recently been written when Jackson was unable to sleep one night late last week. The song, which focuses on personal responses to the events of Sept. 11 and mentions Jesus, was debuted at the CMT awards.
Other patriotic performances of the night included Brooks & Dunn opening the show with "Only in America," the Dixie Chicks singing their new song, "Travelin' Soldier" and the "America the Beautiful" finale sung by several artists.
Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)
by Alan Jackson
Where were you when the world stopped turning on that
September Day?
Out in the yard with your wife and children? Working on some stage in L.A.?
Did you stand there in shock at the site of that black smoke rising
against that blue sky?
Did you shout out in anger, in fear for your neighbor or did you sit
down and cry?
Did you weep for the children who lost their dear loved ones and pray
for the ones who don't know?
Did you rejoice for the people who walked from the rubble and sob for
the ones left below?
Did you burst out in pride for the red, white and blue, the heroes who
died just doing what they do?
Did you look up to heaven for some kind of answer and look at yourself
and what really matters?
(chorus)
I'm just a singer of simple songs, I'm not a real political man.
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you the difference in Iraq and
Iran.
But I know Jesus and I talk to God and I remember this from when I was
young:
Faith, hope and love are some good things He gave us and the greatest is
love.
Where were you when the world stopped turning on that September Day?
Teaching a class full of innocent children or driving down some old
interstate?
Did you feel guilty cause you're a survivor?
In a crowded room, did you feel alone?
Did you call up your mother and tell her you loved her?
Did you dust off that Bible at home?
Did you open your eyes, hope it never happened, close your eyes and not
go to sleep?
Did you notice a sunset for the first time in ages or speak to some
stranger on the street?
Did you lay down at night and think of tomorrow, go out and buy you a
gun?
Did you turn off that violent old movie you were watching, and turn on
"I Love Lucy" reruns?
Did you go to a church and hold hands with some stranger and stand in
line and give your own blood?
Did you just stay home and cling tight to your family and thank God that
you had somebody to love?
Chorus
This is what the Lord asks of you: only this, to act justly, to love
enderly, and to walk humbly with your God.
-Micah 6:8