the president sang amazing grace

a young man came to a house of prayer

they did not ask what brought him there

he was not friend

he was not kin

but they opened the door and let him in

and for an hour the stranger stayed

he sat with them and seemed to pray

but then the young man drew a gun

and killed nine people

old and young

in charleston in the month of june

the mourners gathered in a room

the president came to speak some words

and the cameras rolled and the nation heard

but no words could say what must be said

for all the living and the dead

so on that day and in that place

the president sang amazing grace

the president sang amazing grace

we argued where to lay the blame

on one man's hate or our nation's shame

some sickness of the mind or soul

and how the wounds might be made whole

but no words could say what must be said

for all the living and the dead

so on that day and in that place

the president sang amazing grace

my president sang amazing grace