On the CMA's in 2001, Alan performed this with no capo 
on his guitar, but the lead acoustic guitar had a 
capo on the fifth fret and these are the chords.Enjoy!! 
 
 
 
 
          Capo 5    
 
          Intro: G 
 
 
G                                         D 
Where were you when the world stop turning on that  
          G 
September Day 
 
   
Were you out in the yard with your wife and children 
   D                          G                    
Or working on some stage in L.A. 
        C                           G       
Did you stand there in shock at the sight of that black  
 
smoke  
 C                       G 
Rising against that blue sky 
        C                      G  
Did you shout out in anger, in fear for your neighbor 
   Em                        C      D 
Or did you just sit down and cry 
  
        G 
Did you weep for the children who lost their dear loved ones 
    D                           G 
And pray for the ones who don't know 
          G  
Did you rejoice for the people who walked from the rubble 
    D                       G 
And sob for the ones left below 
        C                          G 
Did you burst out in pride for the red, white and blue 
        C                    G 
And the heroes who died just doin' what they do 
        C                     G     
Did you look up to heaven for some kind of answer 
    Em                   C 
And look at yourself and what really matters 
  
  
 
  
C                    G  
I'm just a singer of simple songs 
          C              G 
I'm not a real political man 
        C           G 
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I could 
             Em                      C 
Tell you the difference in Iraq and Iran 
    C                G      
But I know Jesus and I talk to God 
        C                           G 
And I remember this from when I was young 
C                             G                     D 
Faith, hope and love are some good things He gave us 
                         C   D  C/E  D/F#   
And the greatest is love 
  
  
 
G                                 D 
Where were you when the world stop turning on that  
          G 
September day 
 
Teaching a class full of innocent children 
   D                           G 
Or driving down some cold interstate 
    C                      G 
Did you feel guilty 'cause you're a survivor 
     C                          G 
In a crowded room did you feel alone 
        C                       G 
Did you call up your mother and tell her you love her 
        Em                     C      D 
Did you dust off that bible at home 
 
        G                                
Did you open your eyes, hope it never happened 
        D                             G 
And you close your eyes and not go to sleep 
                                     
Did you notice the sunset the first time in ages 
   D                             G 
Or speak to some stranger on the street 
        C                     G 
Did you lay down at night and think of tomorrow 
C                    G    
Go out and buy you a gun 
        C                         G     
Did you turn off that violent old movie you're watchin' 
    Em                      C 
And turn on "I Love Lucy" reruns 
                                G  
Did you go to a church and hold hands with some strangers 
C                               G 
Stand in line and give your own blood 
        C                        G 
Did you just stay home and cling tight to your family 
      Em                      C 
Thank God you had somebody to love 
  
 
  
C                    G  
I'm just a singer of simple songs 
         C               G 
I'm not a real political man 
        C           G 
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I could 
             Em                      C 
Tell you the difference in Iraq and Iran 
    C                G      
But I know Jesus and I talk to God 
        C                           G 
And I remember this from when I was young 
C                             G                     D                           
Faith, hope and love are some good things He gave us 
                        C   D   
And the greatest is love 
                                     
 
 
 
 
C                    G  
I'm just a singer of simple songs 
          C              G 
I'm not a real political man 
        C           G 
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I could 
             Em                      C 
Tell you the difference in Iraq and Iran 
    C                G      
But I know Jesus and I talk to God 
              
        C                           G                     
And I remember this from when I was young 
C                             G                     D 
Faith, hope and love are some good things He gave us 
                        C   D  C/E  D/F#   
And the greatest is love 
                        C   D  C/E  D/F#   
And the greatest is love   
                        C   D  C/E   
And the greatest is love   
G                                         D                  
Where were you when the world stop turning on that  
             G 
September day