Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice plays the piano in an instrumental version of “Amazing Grace” released in time for the Fourth of July.
The prominent Bush Administration foreign policy advisor tickles the keys alongside violinist Jenny Oaks Baker in front of images of American soldiers in a video performance of the Christian hymn posted to YouTube on Thursday.
Her duet follows President Obama’s crooning performance of the tune during his eulogy for one of the victims of the Charleston shootings last Friday.
Rice and Baker’s arrangement, which has also been released as a single on iTunes, will benefit the Wounded Warrior Project, according to a blog post announcing the performance on the faith-based advice network FamilyShare.
“Amazing Grace has always held a special place in my heart,” Rice, 60, wrote on her Facebook page. “It seemed only appropriate to release the video in conjunction with the 4th of July weekend as we recognize the blessings we have in this country and the sacrifices of our servicemen and women for our freedom.”
Rice and Baker team up in a layered composition as battle scenes from throughout the country’s history roll in the background against the walls of a sunset-filled, church-like building in the video. The consultant, author and educator plays an emphatic crescendo with the Grammy-nominated and Billboard No. 1 recording artist as the stars and stripes pop up all over the screen.
“May the grace of God continue to shine on lovers of freedom everywhere,” says a message that appears at the end of the video.
Baker responded to FamilyShare’s Facebook announcement of the video Thursday with an expression of her gratitude to Rice for playing with her and her awe of the power of the famous melody.
“I know that God gave us this land of Freedom and I am so grateful to those who serve to protect these freedoms!” she wrote.
President Obama also broke into the song, which was penned in the 18th century by English poet and priest John Newton, in front of 5,500 mourners for Emanuel AME pastor and South Carolina State Senator Clementa Pinckney last week.
The singing followed the president’s tribute to Pinckney and eight other African-American churchgoers killed by a bigoted white gunman during a Bible study at the historic church.
