That's how the show ended. The entire audience was singing this over and over again. One by one, they left the stage, after the second encore performance. Larry Mullen, Jr. was the last to leave, with such a fire. You could really tell he loves what he does. The spotlight shone on him so brightly before he left. Even after he left, the limo left, the lights came back on, we were all still singing. On the way back to the 'T' station, we were still singing. When I started, everyone joined in. It was, in a word, and similar to every other U2 show, magic.

Damien Bob Junior Marley started the show. The resemblance to his father is remarkable. He was joined by two of his brothers on stage. The highlight, I thought, was during a song he called 'Move' when the two female support vocals began dancing in such a way that left one with impressions of what it must be like to witness a tribal ritual or simple mating dance. It was beautiful. Damien Marley's performance was great. There were covers of a couple of his father's songs, done very well.

But then came U2.

...Oh you look so beautiful... tonight. During one of the trips around the circular stage at the beginning, Bono stopped and took some water from a member of the audience, drank some, then poured it on his head. He said "Oh, water!" The magic began, we were at a U2 concert. We weren't prepared, though for what was to come.

COEXIST. An Islamic crescent a Star of David and a crucifix made up a headband he wore. Magic. Bono brought two young boys on stage with him. As they left he remarked that they were fearless. For the first time in U2 concert history and right here in Pittsburgh, Bono signed an autograph during the show. He said something like 'never done this before. I guess I'll try it out.' The Edge signed it too. What magic.

When Bono talks to us during the shows, it's always reason to hold your breath. He said, "Pittsburgh... I've played here many times... Whose idea was it to paint the bridges yellow? I like yellow, I like it a lot; it's the color of madness." Then he said about Pittsburgh that it was a city like a phoenix, rising from the ashes and that it looked good. For someone who has lived their life in Pittsburgh, to hear someone like Bono comment on your city in such an affectionate manner is magic.

Bono sang 'Miracle Drug' as a dedication to all the '...health care workers here tonight...' and 'Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own' as a dedication to his father. The tones he takes when he talks makes you feel like he's been your neighbor for years and that he's one of your best buddies that goes out drinking with you all the time, comes over to watch the game, spends Christmas with your family... that kind of thing. You know... Magic.

When 'Bullet The Blue Sky' was over, U2 played 'When Johnny Comes Marching Home' and dedicated it to all the armed forces members. Brought a tear to the eye. But the real water works came when the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was read by children from around the world. I had to sit down in my seat and actually got really choked up. The regular set end began with One and ended on a version of 'Ol' Man River'. For anyone who has lived their lives in a city built on three rivers, that was just absolute magic, pure and simple and by any standard. Who else does this kind of stuff?!?! Only U2 and that's why we love them and that's why the Opera is in us.

The first of two encores of the evening involved a man, from the audience, getting up on stage, being handed a guitar and played with The Edge, while Bono sang 'Party Girl'. "Wow, you're a big guy. Edge, we got a live one here." He was pretty good. ... "So what did you do Saturday night?" "Oh nothing, just PLAYED GUITAR WITH THE EDGE AT THE U2 CONCERT, that's all." Could you imagine?!?! If you don't know what magic is, then by now, you're just missing it.

The second encore began with 'With Or Without You'. I'm not sure how many reading this thinks the same about this one song, in particular, that the only true way to hear it is in the company of U2, live.

'40'. What a great song. What a great way to end the concert. Bono had a spotlight and shone it upon us commoners. It was like we were in his light, for just one second. U2 has that effect. All of this can be yours. And it was, for just a split second, it was all ours. We shard the spotlight with one of the world's greatest musical artists. In that, we basked. That is the magic.

...How Long... ...to sing this song... ...How Long... ...to sing this song.

Thank you, Paul Hewson, David Evens, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen, Jr., for bringing magic, in so many ways, to a world with such despair. We need you.

Live on.

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