Count sketch: Who said things never change in Northern Ireland? It's not too often you see the president of Sinn Féin standing respectfully for God Save the Queen.
Yet there he was, Gerry Adams and his about-to-be-crowned colleague Bairbre de Brún in the midst of the DUP throng which was in full voice.
It was in fact the football terrace version of the British anthem, which includes a few "No Surrenders" here and there where the horn section would normally build its crescendo before the triumphal lines: "Send her victorious, happy and glorious..."
Sinn Féin was in relaxed mode for the afternoon and patiently smiled throughout the DUP triumph.
Mr Adams, in open-toed sandals, was tie-free and relaxed. Martin McGuinness was also in dress-down mode and the talk all round in Sinn Féin circles was of calmly doing deals, and sorting things out with the DUP.
There wasn't a Tricolour in sight, despite the fact that Sinn Féin had romped home on the first count, while the SDLP saw John Hume's personal vote effectively halved. A casual style of day and another seemingly casual Sinn Féin election triumph.
The DUP approach, on the other hand, was collared, tied and probably cuff-linked. On previous occasions, the party had fallen back on biblical themes to express thanksgiving at the deliverance handed down by the electorate.
But this time, Oh God Our Help In Ages Past was passed over in preference to Number 1, Number 1, - sung to the tune of the Barry McGuigan classic Here We Go, Here We Go. Perhaps the more secular elements in the party are genuinely in the ascendant.
The victorious DUP man, flushed with success and about 25 degrees Celsius, took the podium. He had retained his party leader's vote and kept intact a 25-year poll-topping record.
"Listen up," he warned the Ulster Unionists - this is what comes of dealing with terrorists. "Listen up," he warned the SDLP - look at the price you have paid for cosying up to terrorists.
Dr Paisley stepped forward. "A great amen to that", he said, his great voice filling the cavernous interior of the King's Hall.
Gerry Adams, who called the Allister speech a 15-minute soundbite, was in the mood for gentle asides and diplomatic gestures.
He commended Martin Morgan for his principled fight, but then you can do that when you win by a margin.
The SDLP man countered all talk of meltdown and vowed that the leaner, fitter party would come back fighting and determined. "No surrender," he said.