[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 6]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 8693]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   THE STATE OF ALABAMA OFFERS A ``GIFT OF HOPE'' FOR THE PEOPLE OF 
            COLORADO IN THE WAKE OF THE LITTLETON SHOOTINGS

                                 ______
                                 

                    HON. ROBERT E. (BUD) CRAMER, JR.

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 5, 1999

  Mr. CRAMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer my deepest sympathies 
to the people of Littleton, Colorado, in the wake of the shootings at 
Columbine High School that left 15 people dead.
  This tragedy stands as the worst case of school violence in the 
history of the United States. The people of Alabama share in the grief 
of all of those in Colorado who were touched by this horrific event. 
Our hope and prayers are with them.
  Over the course of Alabama's history, our state has developed a rich 
tradition of music and songwriting that have helped people cope during 
times of great loss and sadness. Carrying on this tradition are two 
Alabama songwriters named Eddie Martin and Susan Welborn. The two 
Shoals-area artists have collaborated on a song called ``Listen for the 
Wings.'' The song was written as a gift of hope for the people of 
Littleton as they work to rebuild their community and restore order to 
their lives.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to enter into the Congressional Record the 
lyrics to the song ``Listen for the Wings'' so that others might have 
the opportunity to read these words and take solace in the song's 
message.

                          Listen for the Wings

                  (By Eddie Martin and Susan Welborn)

     Just a Tuesday morning
     At a school in the heartland
     `Til they walked in with bombs
     And guns in their hands
     It was all too familiar
     Another horrible mistake
     To see their future
     Explode in such rage

     We need some help to understand
     And lead us back to truth again

     Do you believe in angels?
     Well, I do
     I'm praying that the angels
     Wrap their arms around you
     If you could just believe in angels
     Like I do
     Then you'd know there's always hope for you
     No matter what life may bring
     Take time to listen for the wings

     If Moses needed angels
     What about you and me?
     In the middle of the violence
     And the crazy lives we lead
     Gotta bring some love back
     Gotta have a little faith
     Find some forgiveness
     'Cause it's the only way

     So many times we pass right by
     The simple answers to our whys

     Do you believe in angels
     Well, I do
     I'm praying that the angels
     Wrap their arms around you
     If you could just believe in angels
     Like I do
     Then you'd know there's always
     Hope for you
     No matter what life may bring
     Take time to listen for the wings

     When everything goes wrong
     Seems all hope is gone
     Remember, you're not alone

     We're all gonna feel some pain
     And walk through the wind and rain
     But no matter what life may bring
     Take time, and listen for the wings

     

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