Arnie Warmbrand

What I Saw On the News Today

9/12/01 (inspired by a song by Tom Paxton)

oh, what did you see on the news today, dear little friends of mine?

I saw there are people, oh, so mean.
Doing things I’d never seen.
Ending lives… murdering.
A world grey and dark — ’stead of blue and green.
That’s what I saw on the news today. Yes, that’s what I saw on the news.

I saw a jet crash into a wall.
I watched those towers start to fall.
I learned there are people who don’t care at all.
They’ll take what you make and destroy it all.
That’s what I saw on the news today. Yes, that’s what I saw on the news.

I saw a murder — no one survives.
A suicide airplane hijacked with knives.
Old people, little kids all lost their lives.
Firemen, policemen — their poor children and wives.
That’s what I saw on the news today. Yes, that’s what I saw on the news.

I saw a tragedy, my friends.
Don’t know why people’s lives had to end.
Could a thing like this ever happen again?
With crazy terrorists you never know when.
That’s what I saw on the news today. Yes, that’s what I saw on the news.

I saw the beginning of a hateful war.
People hurting people they had never even seen before.
I don’t want to see stuff like this any more.
I can’t figure out what they did it all for?
But, that’s what I saw on the news today. Yes, that’s what I saw on the news.

I saw soot, dirt, debris fall down just like rain.
I saw lots of tears and felt so much pain.
I couldn’t bear any more. It hurt my stomach and brain.
There was no logic, no reason, no way to explain.
But, that’s what I saw on the news today. Yes, that’s what I saw on the news.

I saw that New York can never be the same.
Its glorious skyline — now, re-arranged.
Forever defaced — permanently changed.
Caused by misfits in life with brains deranged.
That’s what I saw on the news today. Yes, that’s what I saw on the news.

I saw what I thought could never be.
Tears from my eyes made it hard to see.
Horrific acts of inhumanity.
Some people call it insanity.
That’s what I saw on the news today. Yes, that’s what I saw on the news.

What I Want to See on the News

9/14/01 (inspired by a song by Tom Paxton, an adaptation of mine and faith)

oh, what do you want to see on the news, dear little friends of mine?

I want to see the fighting … over and done.
I want to see the world … united as one.
I want to see our children … free to have fun.
I want to see their smiles…bright as the sun.
That’s what I want to see on the news. Yes, that’s what I want to see.

I want to see peace … throughout the lands.
I want to see people … shaking hands.
I want to see a world … I can understand.
I want to see people talk … man to man.
That’s what I want to see on the news. Yes, that’s what I want to see.

I want to see an end … to this terrible war.
I want to see … that it won’t happen anymore.
I want to see … what they did all this for?
I want to see us rebuild … floor by floor.
That’s what I want to see on the news. Yes, that’s what I want to see.

I want to see that good … is better than bad.
I want to see people … who never get mad.
I want to see an end … to all that is sad.
I want to see kids … have a mom and dad.
That’s what I want to see on the news. Yes, that’s what I want to see.

I want to see alive … my fellow Americans.
I want to see us at peace … with Afghanistan.
I want to see terror gone … in every land.
I want to see the Towers … forever stand.
That’s what I want to see on the news. Yes, that’s what I want to see.

I want to see no more … of that terrible day.
I want to see our enemies … have to pay.
I want to see soon … their Judgment Day.
I want to see Victory … for the U.S. of A.
That’s what I want to see on the news. Yes, that’s what I want to see.

I want to see an end … to all terrorists.
(I assure you, my friends, … they will not be missed.)
I want to see hands … unclench their fists.
I want to see a world … sweeter than this.
That’s what I want to see on the news. Yes, that’s what I want to see.

I want to see the world … start to open its eyes.
I want to see an end … to war-shortened lives.
I want to see a place … where people are wise.
I want to see peace… be the final prize.
That’s what I want to see in the news. Yes, that’s what I want to see.