The Rising - September 11th through music

Music has a special way of explaining events. The who, what, when, where, and why become much more tangible through the lens of music. Some songs transcend time and land us right back into a place or period of our lives. Because of this special attribute, music has a way of teaching history like no other subject can. 

Like most Americans old enough to remember, I’ll never forget September 11th, 2001. I remember the sights, sounds, smells, and feelings that were in the air and our souls. I was a 4th grader at Barnum Woods Elementary School in East Meadow, New York 20 miles east of lower Manhattan. That day was unlike any other I had ever experienced. Every adult in our school was whispering to each other about a plane crash. It wasn't until my teacher, Ms. Austin’s phone rang and I heard my mom was here to pick me up. It was 10:30 and the school year had just started. Nothing was adding up - until we walked out of the main doors of Barnum Woods. 

Teaching about tragedy is a humbling challenge as a teacher. Planning and the implementation  of your lesson plan demands immense grace and a delicate approach. One of, if not the most important lessons that I instruct is centered upon the musical response to September 11th. My students, many of whom I am meeting for the first time the week prior, take an emotional dive over a class period and explore the various characters and their perspectives highlighted in Bruce Springsteen’s - The Rising. The feedback I’ve received on this lesson in my ten years of teaching has been astonishing. I am grateful for my students and the respect they’ve given me and the stories expressed through these songs. It is a powerful lesson every year. 

If you are looking for resources on the 24th anniversary of September 11th, I have attached four guiding questions and two playlists, one I’ve used in my classroom & one public Spotify playlist.  There is great power in printing or sharing the lyrics in real time while listening. 

1. Why did this song stand out to you and how / why did it resonate?

2. Is there a particular lyric that you found most powerful?  What was it and what made this lyric stand out?  

3. 3.  Please cite three examples of how these songs use imagery to paint a picture in the listeners mind.  

4. 4. Discuss how the music strengthened the lyrics that we listened to.  (Think of instruments, moods used, tempos, dynamics) 

9/11 songs about nine eleven

The Rising: 9/11 through music   

Thanks for all you do teachers,

Kevin