While I feel the party comin' on my mind can't help but be overwhelmed at the monumental change that has taken place.

Obama is President.

Forty-five years ago, 4 little girls were killed by a KKK bombing of the 16th Street Baptist church in Birmingham. Somehow I can't help but think of that now and the first song that went through my head was Richard Farina's "Birmingham Sunday."

Come round by my side and I'll sing you a song.
I'll sing it so softly, it'll do no one wrong.
On Birmingham Sunday the blood ran like wine,
And the choirs kept singing of Freedom.
That cold autumn morning no eyes saw the sun,
And Addie Mae Collins, her number was one.
At an old Baptist church there was no need to run.
And the choirs kept singing of Freedom,

The clouds they were grey and the autumn winds blew,
And Denise McNair brought the number to two.
The falcon of death was a creature they knew,
And the choirs kept singing of Freedom,

The church it was crowded, but no one could see
That Cynthia Wesley's dark number was three.
Her prayers and her feelings would shame you and me.
And the choirs kept singing of Freedom.

Young Carol Robertson entered the door
And the number her killers had given was four.
She asked for a blessing but asked for no more,
And the choirs kept singing of Freedom.

On Birmingham Sunday a noise shook the ground.
And people all over the earth turned around.
For no one recalled a more cowardly sound.
And the choirs kept singing of Freedom.

The men in the forest they once asked of me,
How many black berries grew in the Blue Sea.
And I asked them right with a tear in my eye.
How many dark ships in the forest?

The Sunday has come and the Sunday has gone.
And I can't do much more than to sing you a song.
I'll sing it so softly, it'll do no one wrong.
And the choirs keep singing of Freedom.

Tonight we can still sing of freedom but now loudly and with feeling as this country has passed a great milestone in its history. William Sloane Coffin said that to be an American patriot was "to have a love/hate affair with your country." Many times I feel as James Kunen felt when he said, "America.....I love what it could be; I hate what it is."

At least for now and in this moment.....I love what it is.

Spaw