When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.--Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States.To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

They came on to the stage with no fanfare. They barely spoke to the audience. But for the first time in 25 years, the "classic" Pink Floyd line-up performed, with a little help from some friends.

They barely acknowledged the crowd. Hardly surprising, given that they were never exactly the most personable bands. Waters has lost his voice completely. He does this raspy whisper instead, and it's a good thing the set-list included mostly Gilmour-on-vocals. Not that Gilmour hasn't lost a bit with age, but it was certainly passable.

I think if Gilmour could've shoved his guitar through Waters' skull, he would have. Waters, for his part, was having a ball. From the concert alone, I'd have to say Waters was the one who was most enjoying things, probably getting an immense kick that a Waters-included Floyd still trumps the Gilmour-led version. There was little acknowledgement of any of the members to one another; which should settle the question of a reunion tour once and for all.

Waters did acknowledge that it was good to be on-stage with "these three guys" again. That Waters was the front-man for the show (despite Gilmour doing the singing) was interesting, and I think further reflects where Gilmour's feelings were in all of this. Waters also dedicated "Wish You Were Here" to all the people not around anymore (dead musicians and dead Africans was the implication I got) but he also added "and of course, Syd" so the Floyd Fanantic in me was glad to see the spirit (or spector) of Syd was there, even if Barrett wasn't physically in attendance.

For the record, the set-list was: "Breathe", "Money", "Wish You Were Here", and "Comfortably Numb". I think the only surprise was "Breathe". Online set lists (announced before the concert) only included three songs, with some lists including "Money" and some "Breathe", so it was a nice treat to get both. I guess Floyd has some clout.

Still, I couldn't help but get the impression that Floyd was an anachronism in this show. Even with veterans like the Who going on before them, at least Daltrey and Townshed had some energy and seemed to acknowledge the audience. Floyd seemed more like a curiosity. Four aged rockers, heads bowed as if trying not to think of the hundreds of thousands of people in front of them (Except for, ironically, Waters), playing because they couldn't back out of a promise, not because their hearts were in it.

But what the hell. After 25 years, I don't think a Floyd fan can afford to be picky. I didn't expect Floyd to ever perform again, let alone with Waters, so let the notalgia buff a glossy sheen over a very tarnished present.

It was worth it.