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Megan Moroney’s “Heaven By Noon” Is An Emotional Tribute To Her Uncle Who Passed Away During The Tragic 9/11 Attacks
Simply heartbreaking.
Today, we look back and reflect on the tragic events that occurred on September 11th, 2001. I’m sure many of us can still remember exactly where we were when we watched the Twin Towers fall after al-Qaeda terrorists hijacked commercial airplanes and carried out coordinated attacks against multiple targets in the United States.
Those include the planes that crashed into the World Trade Center in New York City, The Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, as well as the plane that crashed into an empty field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania (which was likely headed for either the U.S. Capitol or the White House), after brave passengers fought back against the hijackers.
The attacks killed nearly 3,000 people, and America has never been the same.
Every year, this day feels so heavy, and rightfully so, and I can’t even imagine how difficult it must be for those who suffered a personal loss in those horrific attacks. And one of those people is country superstar, Megan Moroney.
Her uncle Dennis Moroney, the brother of her father, died on 9/11, and in looking into more information about his life, I came across this Facebook post, which talks about his incredible life as a father and husband. He passed away at just 39-years old in the North Tower on the 101st floor. According the the post, Dennis married his high school sweetheart, Nancy, and they had two children together.
He worked as a senior vice president for Cantor Fitzgerald in the World Trade Center, and none of the employees at the firm who were there that day survived the attack.
It’s so incredibly sad, but Megan honored both her uncle and her aunt with a beautiful song she wrote with Jessie Jo Dillon and Matt Jenkins. Megan managed to tap into some of her aunt’s feelings on losing her husband in such a sudden and tragic way, though obviously the emotions and sentiment can apply to anyone who was lost a loved one close to them.
In speaking about the song with Today’s Country Radio with Kelleigh Bannen on Apple Music Country last year, Megan first revealed that she lost her uncle during the 9/11 terrorist attack:
“A lot of people don’t know this, but my uncle died on 9/11, so I thought about my aunt when I was writing that song because the last thing they talked about was an oil change. And that’s probably not what she would’ve wanted to say to him if she knew it was going to be the last time.”
The lyrics describe the hopelessness and despair so many felt that day, especially those who lost loved ones:
“How’s the world still turnin’?
And why do stars still shine?
The strength to get up off this floor
I can’t seem to find
I’m angry at the sky
And none of this feels right
Only God knows why
But I miss you tonight”
The chorus describes how her aunt never could’ve imagined losing her husband like this, but she is able to find some shred of hope in knowing that he’s in Heaven now and no longer feeling the pain and sadness she does on earth:
“I know where you’re at
And there ain’t no time at all
No heartbreak, no more pain
Just streets of gold you get to walk
When I talked to you this mornin’
I said, ‘I’ll see you soon’
Would have said so much more if I only knew
That you’d be in Heaven by noon”
It’s a chilling, gut-wrenching song that I’m sure means the world to Megan and her family, and it’s easily one of her best songs in my humble opinion. She doesn’t have many songs that are so deep and emotional, but when does write one like this, you can’t help but feel every bit of it. Considering everything that has happened in the last several weeks in America, on top of the reflection we all do on this day every year, it feels even more poignant.
“Heaven By Noon” isn’t a radio hit, or even one of her most popular fan-favorite songs, but it’s an incredibly emotional and important song that deserves and extra listen today. I know it’s a difficult day for so many, even those of us who didn’t lose someone in the tragic attacks on America and the beautiful people who lose their lives that day, but music is healing and Megan outdid herself with this song.
In all seriousness, you should probably grab a tissue before you press play.
“Heaven By Noon”
The post Megan Moroney’s “Heaven By Noon” Is An Emotional Tribute To Her Uncle Who Passed Away During The Tragic 9/11 Attacks first appeared on Whiskey Riff.