Elevator's Gone (minus one)
Written about 9-11. Lead vocal added and can be heard at http://azimuthmusic.com
AzSongs and Azimuth are a little bit of many styles of music, pop, light rock, acoustic, praise and worship, jazz and slight CCM.
AzSongs provides our listeners a forum to download songs from the band Azimuth and additionally songwriter demos from Azimuth and their co-writers
Story behind the song
I, like many was watching TV on 9-11, with one major difference, I was aboard the USS CARL VINSON (CVN-70) watching FOX news from our ship's satellite feed. I knew my life was about to change in major way as we were on a major deployment and had just passed by India. By nightfall the carrier was sitting off the coast of Pakistan and we were told by our Captain that we suspected OBL and to stand by for being a part of history. It was a sombering moment, but yet there was great satisfaction in knowing we would be able to actually do something about it, to make a difference.
Reflecting back, I can clearly remember not getting much sleep on September 11th and I had images of the towers collapsing as I was trying to fall asleep. The next day I thought about the lobby of the WTC and how people were milling about waiting to ride up the elevators to their jobs and so on. Then it dawned on me that everyone who went to work that day expected the elevators to still be there when their work days were finished and yet that day, sadly that was not to be.
Thus, Elevator's Gone was born and I sat down and wrote the music and most of the lyrics in a matter of a couple of hours on 9-12. I related it to our ever present chance of salvation through Christ and how that chance is always present while we're alive. That chance can be taken suddenly as it was for many on 9-11 when the elevator was unexpectedly gone. Additionally, rising up to Heaven by giving our lives solely to Jesus Christ is implied with the Elevator concept.
Songwriters write their best music when the song is personal, I credit His Spirit
and pray that we reach the eternal heights through His salvation.
Lyrics
Elevator's Gone
(Gentry/Swan)
Verse 1
Another day, the lobby is crowded in a faceless world
They pass right by me, they cannot see
There’s no one listening, it’s all about me
He calls His people, yet they turn away
His time has come - we’re standing still
A blinding flash strikes from the skies
The hidden demons dance in delight
I’m feeling such emotion I cannot block out their cries
Chorus
Oh the Elevator’s Gone, no more trips to the sky
Without Jesus there’s no free ride,
So now we cry, there no one home?
The Elevator’s Gone
Verse 2
Visions burning deep inside of me
Humanity, torn among divisions; their false beliefs
The seal’s been broken; hear the thunderous voice
I see the Lamb of God and drop to my knees
Caught up in a Holy war foretold by His prophecies
Repeat Chorus
Middle 8
The eagle flies, there’s nowhere to hide
We carry the burden for those who died
His way is salvation, you should not decline
The time is coming for the judgment of Christ
Instrumental
Verse 3
Do not fear, God is our refuge and strength within
Our enemies, they’re scattered for our foundation’s held
Hear His call, the battle call to unite
An ashen horse will bring the wrath of light
To trample out the wicked beneath their cover of darkness
Chorus
Oh the Elevator’s Gone, no more trips to the sky
Without Jesus there’s no free ride,
Yes now we cry, don’t stand-alone
The Elevator Gone
September 2001/April 2002
Revelation 6:1-17
Psalm 46:1-3
