How Sweet The Sound

As one of the most popular hymns, Amazing Grace is often sung in times of great joy as well as times of deep sorrow, providing inspiration as a guiding light through the darkness.

John Newton, was a slave ship captain whose boat was caught in a violent storm in 1748. According to his journal, at the point when it seemed certain that his vessel would sink, he cried out, "Lord, have mercy upon us."

After some reflection on this incident, Newton converted to Christianity, eventually becoming a preacher, believing that God had addressed him through the storm and that grace had begun to work in his life.

Eventually, after his conversion, he gave up working in the slave trade. Until then, he ensured that the slaves he was transporting were treated humanely.

The music is typically attributed to an early American folk melody or speculated as the tune of a song the slaves sang.

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Above The Fruited Plain

Ray Charles overcame the obstacles of being born into extreme poverty in Albany, Georgia, and becoming completely blind by the age of seven to become a national treasure and a true symbol of the American Dream.

Charles' inspirational rendition of America The Beautiful captures the essence of what he has added to the rhythm and blues, jazz, pop and even country music genres.

As one of the most famous of American hymns, America The Beautiful has been performed at many tributes and memorials for the victims of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks including an encore performance at the "America: Tribute To Heroes" telethon.

There are many more verses in the songs' lyrics than most people are readily familiar with. Charles' version includes the passage, "Oh, beautiful for heroes proved in liberating strife, who more than self their country loved and mercy more than life!" and thus exemplifies the acts of bravery and courage undertaken by those who lost their lives in the terror attacks.

Ray Charles was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 1986.

America The Beautiful, as recorded by Elvis Presley, has also been reviewed by MP3 Of The Day.

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My Home Sweet Home

America's unofficial national anthem was originally written in 1918 by Irving Berlin, revised in 1938, and introduced later that year by Kate Smith during her radio broadcast on Armistice Day.

New York City police officer Daniel Rodriguez performed God Bless America at the memorial service at Yankee Stadium for the victims of the September 11, 2001, terror attacks. Since that time, the song has been reborn as a rallying cry for a changed nation.

The famous tenor, Placido Domingo, was also performing at the event and was so impressed with the quality of Rodriguez' voice that he took him under his wing, offering to train him at his Washington Opera's Vilar Young Artist Program.

Daniel Rodriguez has become commonly known as both "America's Tenor" and the "Singing Cop." He has since released a CD and made many more high-profile performances.

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I'll Be Here In Sunshine Or In Shadows

In 1910, Frederick Edward Weatherly wrote an unsuccessful song he called Danny Boy.

In 1912, his sister-in-law in sent him a tune called Londonderry Air and he noticed that his Danny Boy lyrics were a perfect fit to the melody. He published a revised version of the song in 1913.

According to some legends, Rory Dall O'Cahan originally wrote the music for the song in the 1600's. Londonderry Air commonly holds the distinction as the first lyrics set to the composition. The current tally exceeds 100 songs following the same tune.

The basic storyline in Danny Boy is of a young Irish lad called to military duty by the sound of distant bagpipes, as was the custom of the time, and a loved one who promises to wait for him. The lyrics further infer that either the young soldier or the one who awaits his return will die during his absence.

Danny Boy has long been played at funerals, wakes and memorial services, including Mass, and cherished by police officers and firefighters, who identify with its message. In particular, the ballad has been associated with the Irish, as its passages conjure up images of Ireland's green pastures and wind-swept hills. Fire and police departments have also historically been dominated by Irishmen, of which a large percentage is Catholic, thus reinforcing the connection to the song.

The sorrowful strain was played at the funerals for Fire Chief Peter Ganci and John F. Kennedy, Jr. Ganci was killed in the World Trade Center attack on September 11, 2001.

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence, Rhode Island, banned Danny Boy and other secular songs from funeral Masses in October, 2001, and was met with great disapproval. One former police officer was quoted as saying, "I want Danny Boy sung at my funeral Mass and, if it isn't, I'm going to get up and walk out."

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I'm Sailing Right Behind

In the wake of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, many people turned to songs of strength and unity as a source of inspiration for coping in a changed world.

Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel's Bridge Over Troubled Water was the number one song of the 1970-1979 rock era and held the number one slot for six weeks in 1970.

Simon performed the song at the telethon tribute to the victims of the World Trade Center.

The song was written in the same Hollywood Hills house which inspired George Harrison to write the Beatles' song, Blue Jay Way.

Written by Simon, Garfunkel originally didn't want to sing the song. Simon insisted, but later regretted giving the song up. In concert, Garfunkel sang the song solo with Simon on guitar. Ironically, the resentment that Bridge Over Troubled Water created between the duo eventually led to their break-up.

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