This article is from the source 'independent' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/barack-obama-leads-emotional-rendition-of-amazing-grace-at-funeral-of-slain-pastor-clementa-pinckney-10349279.html
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Barack Obama leads emotional rendition of Amazing Grace at funeral of slain pastor Clementa Pinckney | Barack Obama leads emotional rendition of Amazing Grace at funeral of slain pastor Clementa Pinckney |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Ever since it was first published in 1779 by the English poet John Newton, the hymn Amazing Grace has been given many powerful and emotional renditions. Few will have been be more remarkable than that delivered by Barack Obama as he concluded his eulogy to the slain pastor Clementa Pinckney. | Ever since it was first published in 1779 by the English poet John Newton, the hymn Amazing Grace has been given many powerful and emotional renditions. Few will have been be more remarkable than that delivered by Barack Obama as he concluded his eulogy to the slain pastor Clementa Pinckney. |
| Speaking at the service in Charleston on Thursday, Mr Obama spoke at length about the “grace” of Mr Pinckney and the others who were shot and killed while they attended bible study ten days ago. | |
| He then lowered himself towards the microphone and began, slowly to sing the words of the hymn, known around the world. As he picked up the pace, the service's organist started to accompany him. | |
| “May God continue to shed His grace on the United States of America." —@POTUS http://t.co/14Z3HnNi8v | “May God continue to shed His grace on the United States of America." —@POTUS http://t.co/14Z3HnNi8v |
| The service was held in the TD Arena, a sports stadium owned by the College of Charleston and the location of a vigil attended by hundreds of residents from the town a week earlier. | |
| Mr Obama said Americans had for too long been blind to the “unique mayhem” caused by gun violence in this country. He said it would be a betrayal of the pastor’s memory if the country did not address issues such as racism and gun violence. | Mr Obama said Americans had for too long been blind to the “unique mayhem” caused by gun violence in this country. He said it would be a betrayal of the pastor’s memory if the country did not address issues such as racism and gun violence. |