Joy, hope, laughter, tears and an elementary mistake - the inauguration of Barack Obama

I witnessed this historic event in or, strictly, outside Trinity Church, Wall Street with a large crowd of Americans who, along with the majority of the US, seem thankful to have said "good bye" to Bush & Cheney and excited the prospect of what the 44th President can bring. The occasion was distinctly American and the better for that. Thoughtful,enthusiastic, upbeat, slightly cheesy, but with a very positive thrust.

Rick Warren, not much liked by many outside the evangelical church
here because of his views on abortion and same sex marriage offered, I thought, a very well crafted and inclusive invocation prayer with thoroughly Christian content (incidentally, he spoke yesterday at
Ebenezer Baptist, Martin Luther King Jnrs old church on MLK Day, an invitation given before the inauguration and one he said was & personally more important) Aretha Franklin sang "My country tis of thee to a tune "America" which soounds very like the British national anthem. I for one had a lump in my throat. Then came John William's piece. A groan in the crowd, "Let's hope it's not long!" I thought it lent dignity and breadth personally.

The inauguration proper was marked by a moment of humour and the elementary mistake I mentioned as the Chief Justice offered Obama far too long a sentence to repeat. Has this guy never taken an oath before or is he hung up on split infinitives? It would have been obvious to anyone who has ever conducted a wedding. Nevertheless, seasoned pro that he obviously is, Obama laughed it off.

Then the speech. Rhetorically brilliant, possibly promising too much as politicians always do, but honest, constructive and conciliatory. A good start. Then a cleverly thought out poem and an equally considered prayer - who is Rev Joseph Lowery? - and we were done.

Large amounts of applause, several people sobbing and a collective rendition of the Battle Hymn of the Republic accompanyed by Trinity's magnificent organ recently restored following 9/11. This followed by a peal of bells outside and 'Here we go' within as the crowds began to disperse.

Now the real work begins.