Courtesy of Rolling Stone:
President Obama attended Rev. Clementa Pinckney's funeral in Charleston, South Carolina on Friday and delivered a moving version of "Amazing Grace" in the middle of his touching eulogy.
Rev. Pinckney was a state senator and one of the nine victims of the tragic shooting that occurred in the church where his funeral took place. "If we can find that grace, anything is possible," Obama stated to the congregation. "If we can tap that grace, everything can change."
After a moment of solemn silence, Obama began singing "Amazing Grace" a cappella before the choir, attendees and musicians joined in for the performance. Afterwards, the president stated that each of the victims had "found that grace," naming all nine individually. "May God continue to shed his grace on the United States of America," he concluded.
The President has some pipes.
He could use a little more practice to help his singing, but damn when the man speaks......
Even for a die hard Atheist like me, I found that quite touching.
Okay, just to establish my bona fides, I still have my Obama Biden 08 bumper sticker in my rear window, I volunteered in his re-election campaign, and I swooned when he sang Al Green's Let's Stay Together. This time, though, I had to dive for the remote. Call me shallow, but he should not do that again.
ReplyDeleteI'll definitely call you shallow. The song came from his heart. That's what matters, not how well he sings it.
DeleteYes, you are shallow.
DeleteWhat are you talking about? Perfect timing, perfect song is an understatement.
DeleteMuch worse than shallow are your words
Fuck off.
DeleteI bought an Obama for President bumper sticker from Cafe Press right after his 2004 Democratic Convention speech.
DeleteOnce I realized that he was singing it in a gospel cadence*, I realized that he was singing it perfectly.
Delete*For want of a better term; I am not a musician, and I am very hard of hearing, but I was able to tell (maybe because I was trying so hard to listen) that he was not singing in a straightforward one note after another style. Rather, it was in a style that I associate with gospel music. Sorry I can't really explain what I mean.
You explained quite well and I totally agree with you.
DeleteSara
Thanks for this, Gryphen. The best post I found on the memorial.
ReplyDeleteThe man is a TRUE Statesman...
ReplyDeleteProud of our President...
Our President, Barack Hussein Obama, is a man who exudes dignity and grace in everything he does for this country and the world. For seven years. He has never disappointed and has always made be proud. Love that man and his family.
ReplyDeleteLove it!!
ReplyDeleteSudden happy thoughts:
ReplyDeleteSoooo...what if Joe Biden runs for President in 2016 with Michelle as his VP? I was going to say Barack, but then she popped into mind...
is this crazy? is Joe done...considering his length of service to his country and his personal losses?
What's wrong with Bernie?
DeleteYes, I think Joe is done.
DeleteI also don't think Michelle has aspirations for political office. Not like Hillary.
Personally, I would like to see Obama continue to serve this nation on the Supreme Court. Hopefully replacing Scalia, Thomas or Alito.
Michelle has never voiced any interest in elected office. Also, much as I adore everything about her, I really don't like the idea of people who have never run for any governmental position, who have never served on so much as a village council and have had to satisfy the needs of constituents with vastly differing views, deciding to start with the presidency of a country of over 330,000,000 people with a powerful global presence.
DeleteObama's speech on race during the 2008 campaign was wonderful. But this address--for me, it's there with Kennedy's inaugural speech (which I stayed home from school to watch) and MLK's "I have a dream."
ReplyDeleteAnd this atheist, who is well studied in the Bible and early Christian movements and in the social gospel, cheered that the President articulated Jesus's message of radical love.
I do believe in the gift of grace, whether it is alignment with our higher self, with the intention and energies of others, or a vibration in harmony with the universe itself.
That was wonderful Liz I! I'm impressed with your resume.
DeleteThanks, Suzy Q. My dad, who died in 1962, used to call me Suzy Q when I was little so I think of him when I see your name.
DeleteThank you, Liz. I was very moved by the eulogy and especially the singing. It touched part of me that I don't often experience.
DeleteYES! And I'm a nobody.....I LOVE this man!
DeleteLiz, i think of it as The Ether that connects us all with each other and the entire universe via the space between our molecules.
DeleteIt's very powerful to me, and i can send vibes, thoughts, and 'prayers' across this vast network in real-time.
My personal opinion is that President Obama is more Agnostic in the ancient sense of the word, rather than hard-core white-bearded sky daddy xtian. However, his beliefs probably lean towards uniting us all and that allows the presidential persona to connect with America.
This Canadian loves President Obama. I watched the entire service, and shed copious tears, especially when he started singing. You can be proud of your President. Grace, indeed.
ReplyDeleteThis man fills my heart with so much love...and yes I became an Atheist very young. It really doesn't matter what I believe, Obama is a true human being, his spirit is so big, so sincere, so honest..this country has been blessed to have him lead our way after the worst 8 years you can imagine. With the 2 SCOTUS rulings and this flag condemnation.....the true haters of this country (all Republicans) are really gonna stand out during our campaign season. Mr. Obama is an impossible act to follow...except the 1st woman president!
ReplyDeleteSo love the guy! Watched the entire thing and when he starting to sing, it brought tears to my eyes. We are so fortunate to have him leading our country and I'm beyond happy I voted for him both times.
ReplyDeleteI've noticed the regular media is not covering his speech. Rachel Maddow - MSNBC (cable) - is though. Love her show - everyone should watch it daily and LEARN as she is an outstanding teacher!
Guess the media thinks that if they don't cover his wonderful, wonderful speech no one will know about it. It will go down in history as one of his best even though they don't want to admit it!
The mainstream media does not understand the power and news spread of the internet -- who still watches mealy-mouthed newscasting like CNN on TV? or has trust in it?
DeleteTears
ReplyDeleteI watched the livestream of the eulogy this afternoon.President Obama had me crying and cheering all at the same time, but when he began to sing Amazing Grace, that just pushed me over the edge. Oh how I love that man!!!
ReplyDeleteLidane • 7 hours ago
DeleteOne of the most amazing, most moving eulogies I have ever seen, delivered by a President who will go down in history as one of the greats.
"Reverend President" indeed. WOW. I'm atheist, but even I'll toss out an Amen for that eulogy.
I am about as far from religious as anyone can be, but this touched my very soul.
ReplyDeleteRandy Ragsdale • 7 hours ago
DeleteMark my words. Obama will go down in history as one of the greatest Presidents of all time. Awesome speech Obama. You went to the well of God to deliver that speech. Amen.
Loved it. He is a humble man and when he sings this, it affects the nation in a good way, and is all-inclusive.
ReplyDeleteJust finished watching the entire eulogy on TRMS. It was, indeed, moving and a most fitting tribute to the people of the church. When he started singing, I almost cried. Our President is an amazing man.
ReplyDeleteAfter listening to that eulogy Obama is a Christian and not a Muslim. He lives his faith.
ReplyDeleteThere are some that will still never believe he is a Christian and never believe he is a native born U.S. citizen.
DeleteSuzy Q, my thought exactly. That was one of the best, most profound, most Christian sermons I have ever heard. He GETS IT in a way few pastors do.
DeleteI want to ask my devout evangelical, Republican relatives if they can put aside their Obama loathing and their absolute, iron-clad certainty that he is a Muslim and just listen to the entire speech. I think if they could hear it with open minds and hearts, they would view him in a completely different way. But I don't think they're capable of that; they will just get their critical talking points from Rush Limbaugh-inspired e-mail forwards as usual.
They are missing out, though. That speech was a blessing to hear. As an often uncertain, struggling Christian, I came away with a new and powerful sense of grace.
This is how it's sung in the Black Church, one does not need to be a great singer to Minister in song. There was a lot of pain in that Church, and when President Obama comfort them in song the pain turned into a Spiritual Joy. God I love this Man!
ReplyDeleteYou're so right. This was a Black service, and spontaneous singing and joining together is part of their heritage. He knew that, and pulled them together with song. He has soul. Real soul.
Deletei agree with 7 pm; he comforted the crowd in the way that was best for them to be comforted. He did the perfect job, unlike, "heckuva job, Brownie" while people were drowing in N.O.
DeleteLast I knew Sarah is not a constitutional lawyer so what makes her think she know more than the Supreme Court justices? When they rule in favor of something she supports, they smart; when they rule against something she supports, they don't know constitutional law. Which is it Sarah?
ReplyDeleteNot only that but she should be scolding Jindal, Abbott, and Bryant, the three governors who are defying the SCOTUS ruling on LGBT rights, and thus, the U.S. Constitution.
DeleteI was amazed and thought it was one of his best speeches ever and the best eulogy I ever heard. Someone had the television in the break room on, and it was "casual friday/bring your pets to work day", and we sat in awe of the comforting way he spoke.
ReplyDeleteThere's a singular unique talent our President has to bring people together and chose the perfect words for the occasion.
I only wish he didn't have to deliver eulogies so many times during his presidency. I was impressed with how VP Biden and his family held together through it. They're still in grief over their own loss and I hope they felt "amazing grace" and solace.
We all love, weep and laugh in the same language.Believers and Non Believers alike share the same ability for empathy and sympathy.
Thank You, Gryphen, for choosing this clip to end a momentous day in America and to honor those who lost their lives to this killer.
Music speaks to people in ways that cannot be expressed with mere words. Good to know that you're a human being, Gryphen!
ReplyDeleteAnd isn't it wonderful to have such a bona-fide, genuine, first-class human being as President of the United States?
Thanks for sharing this with your fellow travelers.
Gryphen, this made me laugh.
ReplyDeleteEach Friday night after work, Bubba would fire up his outdoor grill and cook venison steak. But all of Bubba's neighbors were Catholic, and since it was Lent, they were forbidden from eating red meat on Friday.
The delicious aroma from the grilled venison steaks was causing such a problem for the Catholic faithful that they finally talked to their priest.
The priest came to visit Bubba and suggested that he become a Catholic.
After several classes and much study, Bubba attended Mass. The priest sprinkled holy water over him and said, "You were born a Baptist and raised as a Baptist, but now you are Catholic."
Bubba's neighbors were greatly relieved, until Friday night arrived and the wonderful aroma of grilled venison filled the neighborhood. The priest was called immediately by the neighbors.
As the priest rushed into Bubba's yard, clutching a rosary and prepared to scold him, he stopped and watched in amazement.
There stood Bubba, clutching a small bottle of holy water, which he carefully sprinkled over the grilling meat while chanting, "You wuz born a deer, you wuz raised a deer, but now you are a catfish."
You Should Watch All of Obama's Moving Eulogy for Clementa Pinckney
ReplyDeletehttp://gawker.com/you-should-be-watching-obamas-
Jay Hathaway
6/26/15 4:55pm
We have to admit to being quite proud of America today, right? I mean, this week has been tremendously promising and reaffirming. The ACA upheld. The Freedom to Marry act today. Then the President bursting into Amazing Grace at the funeral of a grace filled man in a city of same. Absoulutely the definition of awesomeness. Really, when America does something right they truly get it right. I have never had so much hope as I had today. For a brief moment I forgot what we’ve been and focused on what we are and what we could be. It was inspiring. It was such a vulnerable moment for our President. There will be those who will denounce, ridicule and castigate the man. But no matter. He is truly a Man for All Seasons. I am graced to live in these times. God bless us all.
YES.
DeleteI was thinking the second time I heard the singing of "Amazing Grace" that the solemn pause before he began was only a silent prayer by POTUS that he begin singing in the right key... ;-D
ReplyDeleteI don't relate to the religious people at all but I'm still saddened that they were killed.
ReplyDeleteYou can't relate to them as human beings? Come on.
DeleteThat was surreal. Our President singing with a gospel choir. I got that same chill I got when I saw our President present his beautiful family on inauguration night. If a young black man with a name like Barack Hussein Obama can be elected president, is a self-declared socialist really that much of a long shot?
ReplyDeleteNo, it isn't. In some poles, he is now neck and neck with Hillary.
DeleteIt's amazing such a devout Muslim Socialist would even know the words to Amazing Grace. You would think Obama would be tops on the ISIS hit list for heresy for how often he has "pretended" to be a devout Christian.
ReplyDeleteAll kidding aside, the President has given too many eulogies of late. I hope his remaining time in office is a bit less stressful.
When President Obama eulogized Beau Biden, he was participating in a celebration of the best of family values; when he eulogized Rev. Pinckney, he was participating in a celebration of the best of Christian values. I think that all of us viewers felt that we would have been welcomed in that place for that service. It was truly beautiful and healing and full of love, not rancor.
ReplyDeleteWhile I watched and listened to the President yesterday afternoon, I thought about how his church attendance while living in Chicago had been vilified and mocked when he was running for president. But it was clear yesterday that he is deeply familiar with how African Americans worship and that he shares in their faith. That arena truly became a place of worship and of committed fellowship yesterday afternoon. I simply cannot fathom how someone could have entered Rev. Pinckney's church and murdered nine out of twelve worshippers in cold blood.
Beaglemom
What a beautiful, moving moment? That pause and the sincerity of his voice. It didn't have to be perfect. He didn't need to practice. This week I've felt like we're getting our country back on track.
ReplyDeleteDo not go to the comments in the Rolling Stone article Gryphen linked. Trust me.
ReplyDeleteWe watched history being made. This will be one of the iconic moments of his presidency.
ReplyDeleteHow many people have such joyful, uplifting funerals? Amazing.
Read this:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2015/06/what-this-cruel-war-was-over/396482/
"May God continue to shed his grace on the United States of America," he concluded.
ReplyDeleteIt should read: "...shed his grace on *these* United States of America." A gentle pause on the word "these."