I Admit It

To see Pete Seeger, on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial for the inaugural concert for the first black President, leading "This Land Is Your Land", brought me to tears.

And the fact that he sang (and the backup singers were expecting) the verses they never taught in my elementary school, about the lines at the relief office, and the sign that said "No Trespassing", where "on the other side, it didn't say nothing", and finishing with

Nobody living can ever stop me,
As I go walking that freedom highway;
Nobody living can ever make me turn back
This land was made for you and me.

that made it even more moving.

I am, at heart, a patriotic, idealistic sap, which is why all this stuff I blog about matters. It is a time for hope.

HBO carried the concert in the clear, and will be rebroadcasting it tonight. Catch it if you missed it live.