I dunno.. but when I paid for tickets to see Alan Jackson for my JW mother and brother, SHE was in a quandary as to come to it. We met for dinner beforehand, my Mom still had reservations about going until she saw another lady from her congregation who had dressed up in her full Western regalia and was going to the concert.. then it was okay.
I was MORTIFIED when Alan Jackson played that song about 9-11, and the whole audience stood up to show their respects to the victims of 9-11, and my JW mother and brother just sat in their seats, and my Mother made a "pshaw" motion with her hand. Luckily, the rest of the family down the row stood up and paid their respects. It wasn't a religious song, per se, but he did say he believed in Jesus, and he believed in God, in the song, and I guess that was what ticked her off. Here are the lyrics:
Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning)
Where were you when the world stopped turning on that September day?
Were you in the yard with your wife and children
Or working on some stage in L.A.?
Did you stand there in shock at the sight of that black smoke
Rising against that blue sky?
Did you shout out in anger, in fear for your neighbor
Or did you just 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 with pride for the red, white and blue
And the heroes who died just doin' what they do?
Did you look up to heaven for some kind of answer
And look at yourself and what really matters?
CHORUS (1x)
Where were you when the world stopped turning on that September day?
Teaching a class full of innocent children
Or driving down some cold interstate?
Did you feel guilty cause you?re a survivor
In a crowded room did you feel alone?
Did you call up your mother to tell her you loved her;
Did you dust off that Bible at home?
Did you open your eyes and hope it never happened,
Close your eyes and not go to sleep?
Did you notice the sunset for the first time in ages,
Speak to some stranger on the street?
Did you lay down at night and think of tomorrow,
And go out and buy you a gun?
Did you turn off that violent ol movie you?re watchin And turn on I Love Lucy
reruns?
Did you go to a church and hold hands with some strangers
or stand in line and give your own blood?
Did you just stay home and cling tight to your family,
Thank God you had somebody to love?
CHORUS 2x
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.
And the greatest is love.
And the greatest is love.
Where were you when the world stopped turning on that September day?
I was so embarassed when people around us at the concert were looking at them and whispering in each other's ears.
So I can't say that country is more approved by the JWs, but I do know for sure that country is approved by me.
CG
