Son Records Song for a Hostage

To remind Americans that terrorists are holding their countrymen hostage, a record featuring a song by the son of a kidnaped Southern Californian is now in the hands of disc jockeys nationwide.

Eric Jacobsen said Monday he hopes that “When the Word Comes,” designed to draw attention to the plight of his father and other hostages in Lebanon, will be played on many radio stations.

“Basically, it’s to get a daily reminder out to the American people and to hopefully generate a supportive response from them,” Jacobsen said in a telephone interview from his Huntington Beach office. “Our main concern is to have a message that people can relate to.”

Jacobsen, who said he has performed non-professionally in the past, sings the song with help from studio musicians. The chorus ends:

When the word comes and we’ll be done

Waiting and praying for the day

When we’re finally one.

Jacobsen’s father, David P. Jacobsen, 55, director of the American University Hospital in Beirut, is believed to be held by the extremist group Islamic Holy War. Four other Americans and more than a dozen of other nationalities are also thought to be hostages in Lebanon.

Any profits from the sale of the record, Jacobsen said, will go to the National Organization for Victims’ Assistance, a fund set up for the hostages’ families.