Michelle Obama didn't think the president should have sung 'Amazing Grace'

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last updated 7 July 2015

First Lady Michelle Obama was more than a tad skeptical when President Obama told her and Obama confidante Valerie Jarrett that he might sing "Amazing Grace" during his eulogy last month for Rev. Clementa Pinckney, who was killed in the Charleston church shooting.

The New York Times has the scene, which took place aboard Marine One on the way to the funeral.

"When I get to the second part of referring to 'Amazing Grace,' I think I might sing," he told them, by Ms. Jarrett's account."Hmm," Ms. Jarrett recalled responding.Mrs. Obama was a little more pointed. "Why on earth would that fit in?” she asked.He tried to explain. "I don't know whether I'm going to do it," he said, according to Ms. Jarrett, "but I just wanted to warn you two that I might sing." He added, "We'll see how it feels at the time." [The New York Times]

Of course, Obama did ultimately break out in song — and it was arguably the most stirring part of his eulogy. Later, he told Jarrett, "I knew I was going to sing. I was just trying to figure out which key to sing it."

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Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.