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I searched for a song that told the story of the heroes of 9/11 Flight United 93 who brought down the hijacked plane thought to be headed for the White House or Capitol building. Not finding one, I thought I'd better write it. I borrowed the structure and melody from Woody Guthrie's heroic ballad of 1942, "Sinking of the Reuben James" which itself was borrowed from the Carter Family's "Wildwood Flower."

I have become increasingly concerned about the restrictions imposed on Americans and people of foreign origin entering the country or just trying to get along, in the name of Homeland Security. Instead of uniting people it borders on paranoia, raises undue suspicion, promotes hatred and bigotry. The long term incarceration without due process at Guantanamo and other places is the worst example. People living in a constant state of fear is how we used to portray the Soviet bloc. American fear has spread across the West. It's not a good way to live for Americans or anyone.

Smithsonian website

I thought about the events, researched the details of Flight 93 and its passengers and wrote the song on the 10th anniversary