Amazing Grace, How Sweet the History of The Song
78John Newton - Amazing Grace
The Birth of Amazing Grace
Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.
'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed.
Thru many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
'Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.
When we've been there ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun,
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Then when we'd first begun.
Created as a poem in 1772, It hardly seems possible that the lyrics of the most popular hymn in the English language was written by a man who once had the foulest mouth on the ship, Greyhound. John Newton gained notoriety for being one of the most profain men the captain had ever met.
A defiant man, Newton manages again and again to escape danger, disease, abuse and even death. Read here about the life-threatening story which obviously had such a frightening impact, Newton found himself calling on God for mercey. This marked the beginning of his spiritual conversion.
In 1835, the poem was then set to music to a tune known as "New Britain" which is still known today. William Walker is the composer who first joined John Newtons verses to "New Britain" to create the song "Amazing Grace". It first appeared in Walkers Shape Note hynmal "Southern Harmony".
William Walker - Composer
Beautiful Version of Amazing Grace
A Marriage Made in Heaven
The music behind the words to Amazing Grace was quoted by author, Steve Turner, as a "marriage made in heaven." The rise and fall of the melodie to the corresponding lyrics breathe life in to the words and stir emotions within the participant.
Knowing the story behind this magnificent song, certainly adds an appreciation that would otherwise go by the wayside.
First appearing in print in the 1779 edition of Olney Hymns, the song "Amazing Grace" has brought words of hope to enslaved people and comfort to mourners for nearly three centuries. The song has been part of the burial of presidents and services for paupers. It has been the cadence for civil rights marches and the theme of human rights campaigns. Penned by John Newton, the words "I once was lost, but now am found" played out in the author's life.
The World's Greatest Singers Have Performed Amazing Grace
The list of well-known singers who have performed Amazing Grace is almost endless. Here are some of the most famous ones.
- Clint Black
- Leanne Rimes
- Whitney Houston
- Elvis Presley
- Pavarotti
- The Three Tenors - Carreras, Domingo, Pavarotti
- Any Grant
- Celine Dion
- Josh Groban
- Suzan Boyle
Interesting Facts About Amazing Grace
- Although "Amazing Grace" was recorded by the Byrds in June 1970, the track remained unreleased for thirty years.
- Joan Baez opened the US Live Aid concert (1985) with a performance of “Amazing Grace” – Around the world Live Aid concerts raised millions for African famine relief.
- Amazing Grace is the most covered song in history with over 3200 recordings.
- It is considered the anthem of the Cherokee nation because it was sung on the Trail of Tears during 1838-39.
- William Walker added the current melody to the lyrics in his 1835 hymnal.
- There are 972 known musical arrangements of the hymn.
- The first gospel recording was made in 1926 by Reverend H.R. Romlin.
- Arlo Guthrie performed Amazing Grace at Woodstock.
- Between 1970 and 1972 a version of “Amazing Grace” by Judy Collins spent 67 weeks in the singles charts (the record for a female artist) and peaked at number 5.
- The final stanza " When we've been there 10,000 yrs ", was added by Edwin Othello Excell in 1909 and was taken from another hymn.
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jpohl - Appreciate your comments. And you are so right about this being a song we hear often, but know very little about its history. Thank you.
Thank you for such a wonderful information.
I absolutely love this song always have. Thanks for all of the information. Great hub thumbs up!! ge
Hello, hello - Very pleased that you liked my article.
Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see you soon.
geegee77 - I love this song to. It is performed about 10 million times annually. Appreciate your taking the time to comment. Thanks.
That was the song whan my father past. It was so dear to my heart. Thanks for the info.
Dear Rose56 - I am so sorry about your fathers passing. I imagine whenever you hear Amazing Grace it brings you memories of that time. Peace and love to you.
I love this! Thanks for sharing such a vivid part of history, Amazing Grace also has a soft spot in my heart, and still to this day I get choked up whenever I try to sing it, quite an emotional part of our human history!
p.s. I've bookmarked this one :)
Yellowstar2000 - I enjoyed writing this hub and appreciate your comments so very much. It means alot.
As a vocal teacher, I hear Amazing Grace with almost every lesson I teach, as it is the most requested song I get. I never tire of it. Thank you, my friend.
Thanks for the history - I grew up hearinG amazing Grace and it has special meaning in my family - I have a great Aunt - Grace and yes she was born in Scotland and just loved this song.
Billy - My grandfather was also born in Scotland and played the bagpipes. I have always wanted to take a trip to the area that I am connected to. I also hear Scotland is beautiful. I often wonder if my Grandpa play Amazing Grace on his bagpipes. Appreciate your comments.
Thank you so much for sharing this info, vocalcoach. Amazing Grace is, I’m sure, the Number One sacral song in the world for ages now. Or can you think of any another song that may be more popular?
MartieCoetser - I think Amazing Grace is the most popular and certainly the most sung of all hymns. I am in the process of recording a piano version of Amazing Grace I hope it will be welcomed by those who love the song. Thank you my friend for commenting. I will return your kindness.
Great hub. Amazing Grace is one of my favorites also. We were in Scotland last year about this time, and heard Amazing Grace played on the bagpipes. Our ancestors come from Scotland, and it was very moving to hear it played there.
What a wonderful experience for you. To hear this piece played on Bagpipes in Scotland is a dream of mine. My ancestors are also from Scotland. This would be the "Kerr" line. Thank you for your comment.
....I first heard AMAZING GRACE in a film from 1972 called THE CULPEPPER CATTLE CO. - and it had quite an emotional effect on me - so naturally I love your hub and what you have put into it - bravo to you - and keep nurturing those 'golden' voices .....
epigramman - Thank you, Mr. Wonderful, for your encouragement and for sharing the time you first heard "Amazing Grace".
So glad to see Amazing Grace highlighted in a hub. John Newton's story is a wonderful example of God's mercy and grace!
Thank you RTalloni - It was a pleasure to write about this history of Amazing Grace and John Newton.
Amazing Grace is one of those Christian songs translated in many languages. Very popular song. John Newton may be under God's spell when he wrote this piece. Thanks for sharing the history. We sing the Pangasinan version (Philippines) in our church. I sing the alto 1 part in our choir, and how sweet really is the blending of the song in 3 voices.
Lita - I have heard the Pangasinan version and it is beautiful when done in three part harmony. The uniting of these harmonics adds more emotional flavor to the song. The major 3rds blending with the minor 3rd is good composition and if a modulation is added it brings a marvelous "lift" to the harmony. Thank you for your comments.
Thank you for this fascinating account. If you haven't seen the movie "I Heard the Owl Call My Name" (Canadian Film Board) about the Kwakuitl Indians of British Columbia, you may want to as "Amazing Grace" is its theme song.
juneaukid - I am ecstatic to have your information about this film and will begin looking for it. I have a strong desire to find which tribe I belong to - I was told it was "Blackfoot" but I have no way of proving that. I have such a hunger and thirst to know about my ancestors, My mother was often mistaken for full blooded indian. Anyhow, I thank you so very much for this wonderful film information. Your sister in Peace.
How sweet the sound! It saved a wretch like me. I was lost, but now I'm found, I was blind but now I see! Write on Sister vocalcoach!
Micky Dee - If we could all sing this song and relate. Each day, in one way or the other, we become lost...in our actions, maybe a word said or not said, we get lost in our thoughts as we tend to forget our real purpose here on this earth. Thank you Brother Mickey!
Hi Audrey
I had no idea that this song had been written so long ago. The words of this song have definitely stood the test of time. My all time favorite version of this song is by Elvis.
Thank you for writing such an interesting hub for me to find.
Amber:)
Thanks for the history of this beautiful song. It seems that everyone is moved by the sound and lyrics. I used to love the Judy Collins version.
Amber - How are you? I, too like Elvis's version of Amazing Grace. I enjoyed researching the history of this song. Like most of us, I learned so much. Take care Amber. :)
Dolores - What a delight to see you again! I hope all is well with you. I haven't heard the Judy Collins version of Amazing Grace, but I will check it out. Thanks for your commenting and hope to see you soon. :)
I absolutely adore this song one that means a great deal to so many people I know and love. Wonderful of you to share this history of it's origins here with us. I did know this before, but had forgotten all about it until I read this page, thanks again. I really love that this song was written for sinners and came from one itself!! A.B.
luv it
hey - Thanks for your comment. Hope you stop by again soon!~
A.B. - I sure appreciate your comments and want to thank you for visiting my hubs. I hope to see more of you Amy.
Peace and love...
Awesome hub, and I love that song!
Silver Poet - I appreciate your words of support. And very happy that you liked the song. Take care!
Reminds me of the good old school days,hymn practice they called it.We used to sing it occasionally as a school in Zimbabwe.Had no idea about its origins.
Well, that is really something.How wonderful to hear that you sang it in school. You have some fond memories of these times. Thanks.
VC,
I knew the history of the author behind the words, but there was soooo much more I didn't know until I read this.
Beautiful hub!
femme
jpohl 23 months ago
Thanks for the information. It is certainly one of those songs that we hear a lot but know little about. You have helped fill in some important gaps of knowledge about the song Amazing Grace