Awkward Moments

It isn't often that the president's actions intersect with music, but we have one today – this from ABC News:

 

The president and the orchestra at Buckingham Palace this evening were a bit out of synch. When the president toasted the Queen the orchestra misunderstood a pause and what seemed to be a cue from the president for “God Save the Queen” to begin playing.

 

“Ladies and gentlemen please stand with me and raise your glasses as I propose a toast,” the president said, putting down his note cards and grabbing his glass. “To her majesty the Queen.” The president paused, the guests stood, and the orchestra prepared to play.

 

But the president wasn’t done speaking. “The vitality –“ the president said before the orchestra began.

 

Then the familiar tune – you might know it better as “My Country ‘Tis of Thee” – started up. The president kept going: “ — of the special relationship between our peoples and for the words of Shakespeare to this blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this England,” the president said as the awkward moment played out.