‘Our Spirit Is Strong,’ Marc Ribler and Friends

by JAY LUSTIG
Marc Ribler in the all-star video for the post-Sandy fundraising song, "Our Spirit Is Strong."

Marc Ribler in the all-star video for the post-Sandy fundraising song, “Our Spirit Is Strong.”

After Hurricane Sandy hit the Jersey Shore in 2012, local musicians contributed to a variety of relief efforts, including an all-star charity single, “Our Spirit Is Strong,” spearheaded by Marc Ribler. Contributors included Lance Larson, JT Bowen, Pat Guadagno, Maureen McCrink, Layonne Holmes, Reagan Richards, Nick Clemons, Matt O’Ree, Gordon Brown, Sandy Mack, Lisa Sherman, Arne Wendt and Tommy LaBella, as well as Ribler himself (who wrote the song) and many others.

On the video, below, heartbreaking scenes of destruction are shown as the musicians sing the heartfelt verses and the uplifting chorus:

We’re not the roads or the lost days
We’re not the things that washed away
We’re not the world we left behind
The splintered trees on the power lines
We’ll rise up, the world will see
I’m part of you, and you’re part of me
Our spirit is strong

Proceeds from sales of the single have gone to Sandy relief efforts. For more information, visit marcribler.com.

New Jersey celebrated its 350th birthday in 2014. And in the 350 Jersey Songs series, we marked the occasion by posting 350 songs — one a day, from September 2014 to September 2015 — that have something to do with the state, its musical history, or both. To see the entire list, click here.

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2 comments

Paige DePoe February 21, 2015 - 4:22 pm

Another great post-Sandy song that raised money for the cause. Lee wrote it based on personal experience and what his family members at the Shore endured. The story behind the song is on this site too.

http://leescotthoward.bandcamp.com/

Reply
Sharon Lasher October 29, 2017 - 4:32 pm

Excellent song, great musicians! Thank you, Marc Ribler and friends!

Reply

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