Song Description

We've all asked, "What could have possibly been going through the 9-11 hijackers' minds?" This song is an attempt to answer that question, with whispy sounds of an imagined paradise & verses from The Holy Quran contorted into vengeance & the mundane recol

Lyrics

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful:
Woe unto every slandering traducer,
Who hath gathered wealth [of this world] and arranged it.
He thinketh that his wealth will render him immortal.
Nay, but verily he will be flung to the Consuming One.

(Mach readout at .80, 855 kilometers per hour.
Six liquid-crystal displays on the panel.
45,650 litres left.
White anti-collision lights on.
Turbine exaust gas temperature: 1202 farenheit.
Reset and check altimeters.
Yaw dampeners are already engaged.)

There was a knife,
There was a formula.
Nothing will perturb this litany.
There was a knife,
There was a formula.
Nothing can perturb this litany.

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful:
Nay, would that ye knew [now] with a sure knowledge!
For ye will behold hell-fire. . . .
Then, on that day, ye will be asked concerning pleasure.

(Radio AGL display reading 18,020 feet and level.
Headwinds increase engine power but decrease range.
Adjust pitch trim wheel until indicator is set.
Compass rose shows VOR course deviation.
3% increase in fuel penalties if 2,000 feet above optimum setting.
CDI is on the blink.)

There was a knife,
There was a formula.
Nothing will perturb this litany.
There was a knife,
There was a formula.
Nothing can perturb this litany.

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful:
The Calamity!
What is the Calamity? . . .
A day wherein mankind will be as thickly-scattered moths
"The first semester commences in three weeks.
Two high schools and two universities.
This summer will surely be hot.
19 certificates for private education and four exams.
Regards to the professor. Goodbye."

(The faculty of law.
The faculty of fine arts.
The faculty of town planning.
Two sticks, a dash, and a cake with a stick turned down.
What is it?)

And the mountains will become as carded wool. . . .
But as for him whose scales are light [with good works],
A bereft and Hungry One will be his mother,
Ah, what will convey unto thee what she is! -----
Raging Fire.

(Auto throttle turned off to work speed and mach switches.
Select TO/GA to set maximum continuous power.
Setting altimeter to below transition level.
Sending VS display into negative numbers.
MCH at maximum craft airspeed.
Spoilers disarmed, no flaps, 3 degrees nose up.)

There was a knife,
There was a formula.
Nothing will perturb this litany.
There was a knife,
There was a formula.
Nothing can perturb this litany.
There was a knife,
There was a formula.
Nothing will perturb this litany.
There was a knife,
There was a formula.
Nothing can perturb this litany.