Amazing grace by a white bald guy ...

I guess they couldn't find any black folk willing to sing at Reagan's funeral ... eh???? Sorry, but that's a 'suthern' song. It has to be done with some soul!!!!!

... who certainly has a more impressive biography than any of the lame-ass people who have been speaking.

before he became a singer ...

"Ronan was born forty years ago with lower limb disability. When he was twenty, his legs had to be amputated below the knee after an auto accident caused complications. Just weeks after the operation, he was climbing up the steps of his college dorm. Within a year, he was winning gold medals in the disabled games. Between 1981 and 1984, Ronan amassed eighteen gold medals and fourteen world records.

It was this kind of determination that soon propelled him to conquer a whole new field. He became the first disabled person ever admitted to the National College of Physical Education, and then a full-fledged Medical Doctor, specializing in Orthopedic Sports Injuries, with a degree from prestigious Trinity College. ... "

n/t

as much soul as I've heard it, but it seemed intentional. The music was
paced a little faster so it wasn't a version that would make anyone break down in tears, the way it usually does.

The service doesn't have any "people of color" in it that I've seen and almost no one in the congregation there. Interesting isn't it.

faster than usual or not but then there are certain pieces of music that always bring that reaction. The Battle Hymn does as well and I do not know why. Beautiful voice, that is part of it I suppose although he sounded awful at the Belmont I thought.

That's fitting I suppose

before the start of the Belmont. Apparently he's available for all events.

... "three irish tenors," and sang at one of the big 9/11 memorials.

Born: July 24, 1725, London, England.
Died: December 21, 1807, Lon­don, Eng­land.


http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/a/m/amazgrac.htm

I'm always surprised that anyone with soul would sing the song.

which is what the song is about

is actually and old Scottish hymn.

The song was written by a captain of a ship caring slaves, he already had some self doubts about taking the job. On the way back his ship hit a terrible storm, and he took it as a sign from God to stop adding the slave trade. He promised God that if they safely made it through the storm he would never carry humans for cargo again.

After the storm passed, he penned the hymn "Amazing Grace", and was good to his word, plus he campaigned against the slave trade from then on.

Operatic just doesn't do the song justice. It was sung with technical precision but little emotion. I was completely unmoved.

Makes me wonder if that is the only one the Reagans knew. My mom forbade anyone to use it at her funeral.

It really is worn out, IMO, and there are so many other wonderful pieces of music available.

It begins:

For all the saints who from their labours rest,
Who thee by faith before the world confessed,

Requiem. Great music.

I don't inflict my singing on anybody!

He had been a slave trader, but later became an Anglican priest, upon which he wrote "Amazing Grace".

I think the song is so moving to a lot of us, because it speaks about God's grace: the kind that can save even a slave trader.

Many of us have felt like wretches at some time, only to experience an "Amazing Grace" that gives us a new start.

BTW, most mainstream Christians don't yap on about being Born Again.

We believe that Christ died for all mankind's sins - - no exceptions. Baptism is an outward expression of being born again in Christ, but no exceptions means no exceptions. :)

Nancy requested an Interfaith service. That is why she had him sing "Ave Maria." I found this on Fox News:

"Mrs. Reagan invited Irish tenor Ronan Tynan (search) to sing Franz Schubert's "Ave Maria." The Reagans specified an interfaith service, inviting participants from Catholic, Jewish, Muslim and other religions."

I think her decision to have an Interfaith service was a nice way to go--very respectable.