Hank Nowicki | National September 11 Memorial & Museum

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Artist's Statement

The original version of my folk ballad, "Day of Ash", was composed on the third weekend of October, 2001. Slightly over a month after the tragic happenstances that occurred in New York, Washington, and Pennsylvania. On that weekend, I recorded a simple four track analog cassette demo of my song original. Mainly, just sharing the song with family and friends.

The song remained completely untouched for nearly ten years. Sadly inspired by the up and coming tenth anniversary of 9/11, I decided to make a new recording of my demo. This time the song was committed to an eight track digital format, within the confines of my home studio in East Norriton, Pennsylvania. The new recording was made on June 11th and 12th, of 2011. Although the song virtually remains in demo form, I believe the new version of my ballad, better captures what I had originally envisioned for my song. Poetics and imagery that take you to that time and place. Set forth through the raw emotion of the song.

While listening to the verses captured on my original analog four track, I became extremely conscious of the song's sensitivity.

My folk ballad, "Day of Ash", places Lady Liberty in the pivotal role as main spectator. The church bell referenced in my song, as well as the ashen covered spire, are direct reflections pertaining to St. Paul's chapel in Manhattan. It was an absolute miracle that St. Paul's survived these horrendous attacks virtually unscathed. Without a single stained glass window pane succombing to a single crack. Truly amazing. Specifically, when one considers the chapel's close proximity to the actual footprints of the towers.
In the choral part of the song, the poetic voice happens to be that of a fallen victim. Representing the multitude of people who perished on that bright September day The poetic voice is clearly vocalizing a witnessed account of the transformations unfolding in front of their enlightened eyes.

"Day of Ash" proved to be my own personal expression of that day's consciousness. We should all sing for the silenced voices. We should all sing for the lives that were taken from us. We should all sing for the cherished memories of the fallen. Their ultimate sacrifice has yielded a stronger resolve, and a deeper love for the very liberties and freedom we will always protect.

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Day of Ash An Overview Hank Nowicki Jr.
I happen to be a longtime resident of East Norriton, Pennsylvania. A Montgomery County suburb situated northwest of Philadelphia. Like millions of other Americans, I was profoundly moved and saddened by the events of September 11th, 2001.

Currently I work for Safeguard located in Lansdale, Pa. I hold the position of Proof Coordinator. We are an established quality driven print firm that processes payroll checks, medical forms, business stationary, and other specialized products.

Music has always been a special part of my life. I first picked up the guitar at the age of 10. I happen to be a self-taught musician and songwriter - who penned his first song at the age of 14. Anxiously culling through chord charts and painfully learning chord progressions of my era. I simply love to write and express my emotions, thoughts, and feelings, through word imagery and song.

The song original that evolved into my folk ballad, "Day of Ash", was composed on the third weekend of October, 2001. Slightly over a month after the tragic happenstances that played out in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania. A sense of tremendous loss permeated my writings.

However, It became my intention to portray a message of hope, and the idea that although our country was badly shaken, our strong national standards would always wave high and never falter. Our blue fields would never shed the very stars that illuminated them.

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