The song took on a new meaning soon after the September 11 attacks , offering a message of hope and rising from the ruins . The most famous live performance of the song came on September 21 , 2001 during the '' America : A Tribute to Heroes '' national telethon . With only a guitar and a harmonica , Springsteen opened the program , introducing the number as " a prayer for our fallen brothers and sisters " and modifying a few phrases in the song . He was joined on stage by Patti Scialfa , Steven Van Zandt , Soozie Tyrell , Lisa Lowell and Clarence Clemons . It was included as the first track on the subsequent album released of the telethon performances
September 11 attacks
September 11 attacks
My City of Ruins