An impromptu performance of "The Star-Spangled Banner" by a woman visiting the Lincoln Memorial stunned Washington, D.C., tourists and has now racked up millions of views online.
The song started out as a dare by friends and relatives who encouraged Tallahassee assistant principal Star Swain to just go for it,
The Washington Post reported.
The on-the-spot performance has gone viral with more than 357,000 views on YouTube and more than 15 million views
on Facebook.
The video is also posted on a website where Swain said her husband, Craig, has taken hundreds of calls from people who have reached out in response to the video.
"I am truly thankful to God that this moment has inspired so many of you, as it has inspired me to step out of my comfort zone,"
Swain wrote on the website.
Swain sings at her church every week and
told CBS News that her dream is to sing at the White House.
Swain, 34, is a former Florida A&M Marching 100 trombonist and vocalist,
USA Today reported.
"I’ve seen her captivate audiences. I’ve been waiting to see her captivate the world," Pastor Quincy Griffin told USA Today. "Her voice, it’s not just ordinary, it’s extraordinary. Her voice is bigger than singing. People get freed of sadness, depression. It’s a healing that’s even beyond the words that she sings."
Many Twitter users applauded the performance.
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