Always Goodnight, September 11th Anniversary
After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music.
Aldous Huxley
Today is 11 September in Australia and New Zealand. Tomorrow it will be the 11th of September in New York City.
That’s a day many will never forget.
New York time zone. On that morning in 2001, I was working as a foreign news TV producer in Television New Zealand’s Auckland newsroom. It was the most emotional and heart-shattering day I’ve ever had as a journalist in a newsroom.
That morning, actually it was a long day and night, on shift. I still remember it and think about it every anniversary. I felt differently about journalism after that day. The world and the skyline suddenly felt dangerous in a way that I’d never considered before.
It was followed by months of producing news stories on the anthrax attacks, the War on Afghanistan, bloodshed over the disputed Kashmir region, and suicide bombings in Israel.
September 11th
This is a tribute to the families and friends of those who lost loved ones that day and the months and years since, as a result of 9/11. And for any who have lost loved ones and are grieving. This song is for you. Take care.
Always Goodnight, composed by the inspiring Scott Alan, he delicately touches on one of life’s heaviest experiences: grief and loss, death and dying. I wonder if he had angels guiding his words. The incredible Cynthia Erivo’s voice is so divine, sombre yet comforting. Her voice gently falls and lifts. It is like a warm cloak being wrapped around your heart.
Composer Scott Alan and sung by Cynthia Erivo.
Lyrics
If there are times
You find that you are feeling weak
Lie next to me
I’ll hold you ’till you fall asleep
At any time of day
There’s nothing to explain
I’m always on your side
Hold on to me
I’ll steal you from the hardest days
Don’t be afraid
You have me here to guide your way
Through storms I will be here
I will not disappear
I’m always by your side
Always
Always
Always
Always
Always
And on my heart I promise I will see you through
When pain arrives
I’ll be right here to hold onto
With laughter and with prayer
I promise I’ll be there
Always by your side
Dry away the tears
Lay aside your fears
No more pain for my
I am here
Now go to sleep
And when the angels come
I know that they will treat you well
And they will pull you through and lift you up from all that’s held…
Death is not the opposite of life, but a part of it.
Haruki Murakami
