Trick or treat? Herman Cain sings to press (Video)

Bringing half the room to its feet and leaving the other half stunned in their seats, Republican presidential candidate and frontrunner Herman Cain closed a press conference Monday by serenading the press.

With prompting from the National Press Club president, Cain sang a gospel hymn, which appears to be the song "He Looked Beyond My Faults," originally by Dottie Rambo.

It was an interesting interlude considering the controversy and media frenzy which has swirled around Cain today after a report last night by Politico alleging that Cain had been accused of sexual harassment by two women while he was head of the National Restaurant Association in the 1990s.

Earlier in the press conference, Cain dismissed the claims, saying that his campaign has "no idea the source of this witch hunt -- and that's what this is."

This isn't first time Cain has displayed his musical skills. Earlier this year, video of Cain singing "Imagine There's No Pizza" -- a spoof on the song "Imagine" and his position as the president and CEO of Godfather's Pizza -- went viral. He was also a member of the Glee Club at Morehouse College.

Overall, Monday's audience -- comprised mostly of political journalists -- found the breakout into song bizarre, though they certainly seemed to enjoy the moment...

Huffington Post senior political reporter Jon Ward (@jonward11): "I love my job"

PBS' Gwen Ifill (@pbsgwen): "Take that Rick Perry. #cainsinging"

"The Hill" White House correspondent Sam Youngman: "and with that, I think we can take the rest of the week off. no way it gets weirder"

[JV1970]

I'm a Christian and I grew up listening to this kind of music and I love it and I love this song! It's one of my favorites!

[JV1970]

He may not be a professional singer but I think he has a beautiful voice! I think the song he chose is fitting to considering the trouble he's in. He was saying that he's human and he has faults but Jesus still loves him. If Jesus can forgive him who are we not to?