President Obama Leads Charleston Crowd in Powerful Rendition of 'Amazing Grace'

In a moving rendition, Obama sang as he eulogized Rev. Clementa Pinckney.

ByABC News
June 26, 2015, 4:15 PM

— -- President Obama delivered one of the most emotional moments of his presidency when he led a crowd of 5,500 people in singing "Amazing Grace" at the funeral services today of the Rev. Clementa Pinckney.

Towards the end of a nearly 40-minute eulogy for Pinckney, the president spoke about the grace the slain pastor embodied and started repeating the words of the famous gospel hymn.

"If we can find that grace, anything is possible. If we can tap that grace, everything can change. Amazing grace. Amazing grace," he said.

The president then paused for 12 seconds before he began belting the words "Amazing Grace." Shortly after, the crowd of 5,500 people inside the TD Arena joined the president.

"Clementa Pinckney found that grace," the president said as the crowd sang. "Cynthia Hurd found that grace. Susie Jackson found that grace, Ethel Lance found that grace, DePayne Middleton-Doctor found that grace, Tywanza Sanders found that grace, Daniel L. Simmons Sr. found that grace, Shardona Coleman Singleton found that grace. Myra Thompson found that grace."

"Through the example of their lives, they've now passed it onto us," Obama added. "May we find ourselves worthy of that precious and extraordinary gift. As long as our lives endure, may grace now lead them home. May God continue to shed his grace on the United States of America."

The moment sparked immediate response on Twitter, with some comparing the president to a pastor.

Come on for Amazing Grace President Obama! #HePreachingThatThang

— Willie W.? (@xtra_will_e) June 26, 2015

President Obama singing amazing grace will go down as one of my favorite memories. I love him so much. ?? #CharlestonEulogy

— Zdub™ (@ZZakeijia7) June 26, 2015

OMG....We have gone to church!!

— Jonathan Capehart (@CapehartJ) June 26, 2015

OMG....We have gone to church!!

— Jonathan Capehart (@CapehartJ) June 26, 2015

Halfway through the Charleston eulogy, Obama started singing Amazing Grace. What a moment.

— Helen Lewis (@helenlewis) June 26, 2015

ABC News' John Parkinson contributed to this report.

President Obama singing amazing grace will go down as one of my favorite memories. I love him so much. ?? #CharlestonEulogy

— Zdub™ (@ZZakeijia7) June 26, 2015

OMG....We have gone to church!!

— Jonathan Capehart (@CapehartJ) June 26, 2015

OMG....We have gone to church!!

— Jonathan Capehart (@CapehartJ) June 26, 2015

Halfway through the Charleston eulogy, Obama started singing Amazing Grace. What a moment.

— Helen Lewis (@helenlewis) June 26, 2015


ABC News' John Parkinson contributed to this report.

","publishedDate":"2015-06-26T20:15:00Z","contributors":[{"name":"ABC News","url":"","role":"","logo":"","logoAlt":""}],"modifiedDate":"2015-06-27T03:06:01Z","section":"Politics","wordCount":364,"relatedTags":{"heading":"Related Topics","tags":[]},"lead":{"ratio":"16x9","disableForMobile":false,"type":"xl","mediaType":"video","alignCaptionToBody":true},"ads":{"Sticky":{"kvps":{"test":true}},"RightRail":{"kvps":{"test":true}},"InlineBox":{},"InlineOutstream":{"disabled":false},"Taboola":{"position":"bottom","pageType":"article","config":{"network":"abcnews-abcnews","mode":"thumbnails-a","container":"taboola-below-article-thumbnails","type":"article","targetType":"mix","placement":"Below Article Thumbnails"}}},"featuredVideo":{"id":"32065198","type":"video","locator":"https://abcnews.go.com/WNT/video/president-obama-sings-amazing-grace-conclude-sc-church-32065198","issued":"2015-06-27T01:45:00Z","created":"2015-06-27T01:45:00Z","modified":"2015-06-27T10:26:35Z","date":"2015-06-27T01:45:00Z","keywords":["President Obama Sings Amazing Grace","POTUS","SC Church Massacre","SC Bible Study Shooting","murder","ABC news","Video","32065198"],"section":"WNT","title":"President Obama Sings Amazing Grace to Conclude SC Church Eulogy","headline":"President Obama Sings Amazing Grace to Conclude SC Church Eulogy","shortHeadline":"President Obama Sings Amazing Grace to Conclude SC Church Eulogy","linkHeadline":"President Obama Sings Amazing Grace to Conclude SC Church Eulogy","description":"The entire arena broke out into song with the president to pay respect to the victims of the S.C. Bible study massacre.","leadInText":"The entire arena broke out into song with the president to pay respect to the victims of the S.C. Bible study massacre. ","duration":66000,"contents":{"image":{"id":"32065199","created":"2015-06-27T01:41:46Z","modified":"2015-06-27T01:42:05Z","credit":"ABCNews.com","crops":[{"name":"raw","ratio":"16x9","url":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/WNT/150626_wn_muir1_16x9_992.jpg"},{"name":"16x9","ratio":"16x9","url":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/WNT/150626_wn_muir1_16x9_992.jpg"},{"name":"16x9t","ratio":"16x9","url":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/WNT/150626_wn_muir1_16x9t_992.jpg"},{"name":"33x16","ratio":"33x16","url":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/WNT/150626_wn_muir1_33x16_992.jpg"},{"name":"4x3","ratio":"4x3","url":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/WNT/150626_wn_muir1_4x3_992.jpg"},{"name":"4x3t","ratio":"4x3t","url":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/WNT/150626_wn_muir1_4x3t_992.jpg"}],"description":"VIDEO: President Obama Sings Amazing Grace to Conclude SC Church Eulogy"},"playlist":[{"id":"32065198","type":"video","streams":{"m3u8":{"16x9":"https://service-pkgabcnews.akamaized.net/opp/hls/abcnews/2015/06/150626_wn_muir_657_,500,800,1200,1800,2500,3200,4500,.mp4.csmil/playlist.m3u8"}}},{"id":"32059033","type":"video","streams":{"m3u8":{"16x9":"https://service-pkgabcnews.akamaized.net/opp/hls/abcnews/2015/06/150626_dvo_obama_sings1_,500,800,1200,1800,2500,3200,4500,.mp4.csmil/playlist.m3u8"}}}]},"streams":{"m3u8":{"16x9":"https://service-pkgabcnews.akamaized.net/opp/hls/abcnews/2015/06/150626_wn_muir_657_,500,800,1200,1800,2500,3200,4500,.mp4.csmil/playlist.m3u8"}},"transcript":{},"alertTag":"","sectionRoot":"WNT","adFlag":true,"noAds":false,"isAmbient":false,"sponsored":false,"hideDate":false,"hideReportTypo":false},"featuredImage":null,"dateline":"—","seo":{"JSONLD":{"videoObject":{"name":"President Obama Sings Amazing Grace to Conclude SC Church Eulogy","description":"The entire arena broke out into song with the president to pay respect to the victims of the S.C. Bible study massacre.","uploadDate":"2015-06-27T01:45:00Z","thumbnailUrl":[null,"https://s.abcnews.com/images/WNT/150626_wn_muir1_4x3_992.jpg?w=384","https://s.abcnews.com/images/WNT/150626_wn_muir1_16x9_992.jpg?w=384"],"url":"https://service-pkgabcnews.akamaized.net/opp/hls/abcnews/2015/06/150626_wn_muir_657_,500,800,1200,1800,2500,3200,4500,.mp4.csmil/playlist.m3u8","contentUrl":"https://service-pkgabcnews.akamaized.net/opp/hls/abcnews/2015/06/150626_wn_muir_657_,500,800,1200,1800,2500,3200,4500,.mp4.csmil/playlist.m3u8","publisher":{"name":"ABC News","logo":{"url":"","@type":"ImageObject"},"@type":"Organization"},"mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","id":"https://abcnews.go.com/WNT/video/president-obama-sings-amazing-grace-conclude-sc-church-32065198"},"duration":"PT1M6S"}}},"LivePromotion":{}},"autoUpdate":{"enabled":false,"topics":["general-elections-2020-balance-of-power"]}},"upw":{"balanceOfPower":{"electoral":{"header":"Biden Projected to be President-Elect","candidates":{"democrats":{"id":1036,"displayName":"Joe Biden","shortDisplayName":"J. Biden","firstName":"Joe","lastName":"Biden","party":"democrats","major":true,"incumbent":false,"winner":true,"votes":306},"republicans":{"id":8639,"displayName":"Donald Trump","shortDisplayName":"D. Trump","firstName":"Donald","lastName":"Trump","party":"republicans","major":true,"incumbent":true,"winner":false,"votes":232},"other":{"displayName":"Other","votes":0}},"parties":{"democrats":"democrats","republicans":"republicans"},"type":"electoral","votes":{"democrats":{"available":{},"total":306,"difference":{},"popular":{"displayValue":"81,283,098","value":81283098}},"republicans":{"available":{},"total":232,"difference":{},"popular":{"displayValue":"74,222,958","value":74222958}},"other":{"available":{},"total":0,"popular":{}},"total":538},"needed":{"displayText":"270 to win","displayValue":"270","value":270},"lastUpdated":{"value":"2020-12-18T21:15:13.850Z","displayValue":"December 18, 4:15:13PM ET"},"reporting":"99% of Expected Vote Reporting"},"senate":{"header":"Senate Seat Results","candidates":{"democrats":{"displayName":"Democrats","icon":"party-democrats","votes":46,"winner":false},"republicans":{"displayName":"Republicans","icon":"party-republicans","votes":50,"winner":false},"other":{"displayName":"Other","votes":2}},"parties":{"democrats":"democrats","republicans":"republicans"},"type":"senate","votes":{"democrats":{"available":{"displayText":"12 Democrats up for election","shortDisplayText":"12 Dems. up for election","displayValue":"12","value":12},"total":46,"difference":{"displayText":"Gained 1 seat","displayValue":"1","value":1},"popular":{}},"republicans":{"available":{"displayText":"23 Republicans up for election","shortDisplayText":"23 Reps. up for election","displayValue":"23","value":23},"total":50,"difference":{"displayText":"Lost 1 seat","displayValue":"-1","value":-1},"popular":{}},"other":{"available":{"displayText":"0 Others up for election","shortDisplayText":"0 Others up for election","displayValue":"0","value":0},"total":2,"popular":{}},"total":100},"needed":{"displayText":"51 for control","displayValue":"51","value":51},"lastUpdated":{"value":"2020-12-17T18:22:05.390Z","displayValue":"December 17, 1:22:05PM ET"}},"house":{"header":"House Results: Dems Retain Control","candidates":{"democrats":{"displayName":"Democrats","icon":"party-democrats","votes":222,"winner":true},"republicans":{"displayName":"Republicans","icon":"party-republicans","votes":210,"winner":false},"other":{"displayName":"Other","votes":0}},"parties":{"democrats":"democrats","republicans":"republicans"},"type":"house","votes":{"democrats":{"available":{"displayText":"233 Democrats up for election","shortDisplayText":"233 Dems. up for election","displayValue":"233","value":233},"total":222,"difference":{"displayText":"Lost 10 seats","displayValue":"-10","value":-10},"popular":{}},"republicans":{"available":{"displayText":"201 Republicans up for election","shortDisplayText":"201 Reps. up for election","displayValue":"201","value":201},"total":210,"difference":{"displayText":"Gained 10 seats","displayValue":"10","value":10},"popular":{}},"other":{"available":{"displayText":"1 Others up for election","shortDisplayText":"1 Others up for election","displayValue":"1","value":1},"total":0,"popular":{}},"total":435},"needed":{"displayText":"218 for control","displayValue":"218","value":218},"lastUpdated":{"value":"2020-12-17T18:22:02.900Z","displayValue":"December 17, 1:22:02PM ET"}},"lastUpdated":{"value":"2020-12-18T21:15:13.850Z","displayValue":"December 18, 4:15:13PM ET"},"autoUpdate":{"enabled":false,"topics":["general-elections-2020-balance-of-power"]},"electionsConfig":{}},"types":["electoral","senate","house"]}},"analytics":{"accountID":"wdgnewabcnews,wdgasec,wdgnewabcnweb,wdgnewabcnewsrollup","ns":"abcnews","pageName":"abcn:politics:story","pageType":"story","pageUrl":"abcnews.go.com/Politics/president-obama-leads-charleston-crowd-powerful-rendition-amazing/story?id=32059397&userab=abcn_web_article_ts-218*variant_a-818","globalSpecVersion":"v1.08","siteDifferentiator":"abcn:site","tagID":"apage_news01","userABCookie":"abcn_web_article_ts-218*variant_a-818","alertTag":"none","authors":"ABC News","authorsBureau":"none","authorsUnit":"none","dateline":"—","id":"32059397","modDate":"2015-06-26","mediaOnPage":"video","modTime":"23:06","provider":"ABC News","pubDate":"2015-06-26","pubTime":"16:15","section":"Politics","subBrand":"none","title":"President Obama Leads Charleston Crowd in Powerful Rendition of 'Amazing Grace'","videoId":"32065198","videoName":"President Obama Sings Amazing Grace to Conclude SC Church Eulogy","wordCount":364},"taboola":{"config":{"network":"abcnews-abcnews","mode":"thumbnails-a","type":"other","targetType":"mix","placement":null,"pageTypeOverrides":{"story":{"mode":"thumbnails-a","type":"article","targetType":"mix","placement":"Below Article Thumbnails"},"home":{"mode":"thumbnails-b","container":"taboola-homepage-thumbnails","type":"home","targetType":"mix","placement":"Homepage Thumbnails"},"section":{"mode":"thumbnails-b","type":"category","targetType":"mix","placement":"Section Front Thumbnails"},"liveBlog":{"mode":"thumbnails-d","type":"other","targetType":"mix","placement":"Blog"}}}}},"request":{"headers":{},"httpVersion":"1.1","method":"GET","url":"/Politics/president-obama-leads-charleston-crowd-powerful-rendition-amazing/story?id=32059397&userab=abcn_web_article_ts-218*variant_a-818","vary":{"host":"abcnews.go.com","cached":true,"path":"/Politics/president-obama-leads-charleston-crowd-powerful-rendition-amazing/story","forwarded-proto":"https","device":"desktop","country":"us","userab":"abcn_web_article_ts-218*variant_a-818","region":"gdpr"}},"viewport":{"width":1260,"height":0},"user":{}};