Canadian hails ‘fighters of the fire’

Folk singer Dave Hadfield offers musical tribute to 9/11 firefighters
BY STEVEN EDWARDS

NEW YORK
• Canadian folk singer Dave Hadfield has sent New York firefighters a Sept. 11 tribute song he has just recorded, saying he’ll release it by spring if they give their approval.
   Among fire halls receiving the demonstration CD of Fighters of the Fire are those in lower Manhattan where losses were greatest.
   “A song like this would strike them very personally,” said Mr. Hadfield, brother of Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield. “If they thought the song was inappropriate in some way, I would want to know before I went on to a more general release.”
   Firefighters from all over New York raced to the World Trade Center three years ago today, and 343 were among more than 2,700 people killed when the towers collapsed.
   Mr. Hadfield’s song is about two New York firefighters who race into action “when the morning peace was shattered.”
   It continues: “No alarm was needed, every finger pointed high, every voice was calling for the fighters of the fire.”
   The singer, who has two albums already released, said he has long had the phrase fighters of the fire in his head — but for another project.
   “One day as I was just driving down the road, I heard something about 9/11 while I was thinking about that phrase, and I thought I could change it from the old project to a tribute song to New York firefighters,” he said.
   Mr. Hadfield wrote the song in June, and has posted the lyrics on his website at www.hadfield.ca.
   “I didn’t think I should let it fade away into nothing,” he said. “I thought now would be the right time.”
   The Canadian Consulate in New York is helping Mr. Hadfield reach the firefighters.
   Profits would go to an appropriate 9/11 cause, but Mr. Hadfield said he’s not thought too much about that yet.
   “Generally with folk music, you don’t have to worry too much about income,” said the singer, whose “day job” is pilot for a major Canadian airline.
   “But if it did make some money, I would do the honourable thing. I would contact firefighters and find out how I could help.”
   He has also sent the demonstration CD to folk music radio stations across North America to get a feel for demand.

 
 
Fighters of the Fire
  


New York City Central on a perfect autumn day.
Eddy at his locker, putting things away.
Eddy was a fireman, his shift was nearly through,
When the morning peace was shattered
by a missile from the blue.
It only took a minute for the siren’s angry cry.
But no alarm was needed – every finger pointed high.
Near the end of Church St., the smoke was rising higher,
And every voice was calling for the fighters of the fire.

[chorus]

Fighters of the fire, fighters of the fire,   [END OF PREVIOUS VERSE]
“Every voice was calling for the fighters of the fire.”
Eddy had a partner: Thomas was his name.
For 7 years the 2 of them had entered smoke and flame.
Now they rode the pumper, but nothing seen before,
Was like that giant building on the 92nd floor.
When they reached the firesite, the bullhorn made them run.
“There’re 15,000 people still inside – still to come,
“Start up on the 8th floor, work your way up higher.
“Now’s the time you need to shine, fighters of the fire.”                             

[chorus]

Nothing they had trained for prepared them for this day,
Hurt and frightened people getting in each other’s way.
Eddy stuck with Thomas, the way they’d always done.
And they brought a dozen people at a time into the sun.
Time and time again – they might’ve won with any luck.
They pushed and pulled and carried, ‘til the 2nd missile struck
All bets were off at that point – the situation dire
The glass was running empty for the fighters of the fire.

[BRIDGE]      They did not turn from the call…
When all the world saw it fall…           [PAUSE]
Oh oh….                 [START AGAIN SLOWLY]

New York City central on a perfect autumn day
I’m standing here on Church St., where Tom and Eddy stay.
There’re people on the sidewalk… taxis on the street
Not a thing unusual except the hole here at my feet.
How shall we remember those who didn’t count the cost?
How shall we remind ourselves of people we have lost?
Rebuild the tower better – rebuild it even higher,
And let every one among us be a fighter of the fire.

[chorus]

Brother rescues brother in the fighters of the fire,
No man leaves another in the fighters of the fire.

 
   
   

 
Site Last Updated 9/13/04
© 2001 David Hadfield