1000 Songs/Amazing grace how sweet the sound (John Newton)

Amazing grace (Newton)

1000 Songs

Text
This text was published in 1779 in the Olney Hymns

Amazing grace! (how sweet the sound) That sav'd 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 reliev'd; How precious did that grace appear The hour I first believ'd. Thro' many dangers, toils, and snares, I have already come; 'Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, And grace will lead me home. The Lord has promis'd good to me, His word my hope secures; He will my shield and portion be As long as life endures. Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail, And mortal life shall cease; I shall possess, within the veil, A life of joy and peace. The earth shall soon dissolve like snow, The sun forbear to shine; But God, who call'd me here below, Will be forever mine.

Author
This song was written by John Newton. Amazing Grace.

Tune
Set to the tune "GREAT BRITAIN" and "Hephzibah" by English composer John Jenkins Husband.

Arrangements
Chris Tomlin does an arrangement with an updated tempo, and an added chorus with the words: "My chains are gone, I've been set free, My God my savior has ransomed me. And like a flood, his mercy reigns, Unending love, amazing grace." Even before this, it was often combined with other hymns as a chorus. For example: "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. Shout, shout for glory, Shout, shout aloud for glory; Brother, sister, mourner, All shout glory hallelujah.

Editor's Choice
I prefer the Chris Tomlin version. Here is a video of it!

Author's circumstances
Newton had an interesting story because he was a captain of a slave trading ship and very unpopular among his crew, but in the middle of a large storm, he was terrified for his life and he told God that if he survived the journey, he would turn his life around and dedicate it to God. He did, and this also led to him writing "Amazing Grace."

Cultural setting
This was not terribly popular outside of the United States, but it accompanied the Second Great Awakening Revival movement.