"Message for This Land" genre: Pop Vocals
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	A patriotic, inspirational song written and performed by a seven-year-old boy in response to the tragedies that took place on September 11, 2001. This song may be freely distributed.
	CD: A Message for This Land   Label: Infinity Productions Credits: Arranged by Merrilee Webb
	Story Behind the Song Our family has been blessed with a remarkable child, who has been deeply affected by September 11th’s attack on America. His name is Brendon David Nielson, a 7-year-old 2nd grader who was born with the gift of music. At first, we were unable to console Brendon after the recent tragedy. We tried having a special family devotional, family prayer, etc. It wasn’t until the National Prayer Service that Friday that we began to see some hope. We took Brendon out of school to be with the family as we watched the broadcast from home. After the service, Brendon said, “I need to do something to help the nation know that the ‘dark side’ won’t win. It may have won the battle but God will win the war.” We discussed various ways he could go about sharing the message. It was decided that he would use his gift of music by writing a song. His greatest desire was to console the victims' families. The next day, we went our place of worship and into the chapel. We knelt down and offered a humble prayer to God, asking for his help in writing a song that would touch the hearts of the nation and encourage them to see hope instead of despair. He sat down with me at the piano and began fingering the tune. We then wrote down all of his feelings concerning the tragedy, America’s future, and how Brendon’s message could help heal the victims and their families. Then we fit those words into the melody he had written. Within two hours he had finished with one of the most inspirational, touching songs ever written about our country. I then called a local recording studio. After hearing Brendon sing, Merrilee Webb, the engineer and producer, immediately said, “This song needs to be recorded.” She volunteered to produce, arrange and record the song, without changing a lyric or the melody. We wanted to keep the integrity of the song exactly as Brendon had envisioned it. Merrilee is an incredibly talented and “in-demand” musician. She was up against deadlines of her own, but she put aside everything else to make this happen. We felt grateful, knowing there was no way we could afford it ourselves. In one day, she had arranged the piece and was ready to record it, stating, “When God speaks to me, I’ve learned to listen.” We then asked various local stores to donate CDs to record it on and they responded. Brendon decided to donate all of the proceeds to the victims and their families via The Red Cross. But more than money, these families will hear the sweet song of a 7 year-old American boy who believes that, “We’ve seen the darkest side of man, but America will surely stand. Lyrics A MESSAGE FOR THIS LAND Tears fell down on that Tuesday morn As the nation watched in great sadness. I saw our brothers and sisters cry As they ran and searched for their loved ones. What if that were my family? That’s when I knew I’d sing this song for you. Chorus: I hold in my hand a message for this land. Hold each-others hands and walk on God’s path. We’ve seen the darkest side of man. But America will surely stand. I need to let all the victims know You are loved and I support you. I will help every way I can Until this tragedy’s through. The President has asked to wave the flag. So that’s what I’ll do – then say a prayer for you. Chorus: We’ll stand for unity, we’ll stand for truth. We'll stand for purity and loyalty too. We'll stand for courage, we'll stand for strength, We'll stand for Liberty and Freedom and Faith. Chorus: One nation under God we stand.

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