A country band, After The Reign, was declared the winner Thursday of a state-sponsored contest to create an original song that captures the New Jersey shore's resilience following the devastation caused by Superstorm Sandy.

 

After The Reign performs "Jersey Strong" at the Stone Pony
After The Reign performs "Jersey Strong" at the Stone Pony (YouTube)
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After The Reign, whose six members live near the Jersey shore, bested more than 235 entries in the contest, which was created by the "Stronger than the Storm" campaign to highlight the state's comeback from the storm and restoration of major tourist areas.

Members of the group live in the Oakhurst section of Ocean Township in Monmouth County.

Their winning song, entitled "Jersey Strong," was written by band member John Strevens.

"Our song pays tribute to the hardships that everyone endured as well as the progress we have made as loud, proud New Jerseyans," he said.

The Stronger than the Storm campaign said the group's song best captured the shore's "strength, spirit and resilience."

The song recalls how Sandy "may have knocked us down but not for long. We're Jersey strong."

As the contest winners, the group will perform their song live ahead of the Spin Doctors at the legendary Stone Pony in Asbury Park on Sept. 7. Tickets to the free show were snapped up shortly after the announcement.

Jersey Strong by After The Reign

Mother Nature dealt a harsh blow
Coupled with the wrath of God
The tides rose up and hell rained down from above
Washed away our coastline
A hundred thousand lost their homes
Leaving many stranded and alone
It may have knocked us down
But not for long
We're Jersey Strong
From the tip of Cape May County
To Sandy Hook and straight on through
And every town along the way we'll remember you
We're gonna build it back
We'll right the wrong
We're Jersey Strong
We'll stand and deliver
And we may not pick our fights
We'll finish what's been started
We'll soldier on through the night
You see the devastation in our fellow states
We'll pull together and make `em great again
We'll work side by side like brothers in arms
We're Jersey Strong
(Instrumental)
We'll stand and deliver
While we may not pick our fights
We'll finish what's been started
We'll soldier on through the night
We may have lost our boardwalk
Leveled to the sand
But I promise you we're gonna bring her back
We'll walk the boards again
And it won't be long
We're Jersey Strong
Mother Nature dealt a harsh blow
Coupled with the wrath of God
But we're gonna survive
We're Jersey Strong

(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved)

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