Amazing Grace

Today we have a little known folk hymn called "Amazing Grace."  Just kidding, everyone knows this hymn.  And after looking through youtube, I think everyone has performed John Newton's classic.  I've already listened to Celtic Woman, Alan Jackson, LeAnn Rimes, and Aretha Franklin.  I'm now listening to the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley, perform this with a choir backing him up.  The reasons for so many recordings is because the hymn has such a rich history.  It's one of those hymns that has been taken up by many different people for many different situations.  From Appalachian sharp note harmony to African American spiritual to being sung on the Trail of Tears by Native Americans, this hymn has been used to remind God's people of the wonderful nature of God's grace in the worst of times.  At this point, "Amazing Grace" is less of a hymn and more of an anthem.

John Newton wrote the words as an illustration to a sermon on New Year's Day of 1773. The hymn itself is autobiographical. Newton wrote it to show how the Lord worked His grace throughout his life.  That's what our testimonies are; they're the stories of how the Lord has worked and continues to work in our lives.  Newton just happened to put it in verse.  The tune that's associated with the hymn is called "New Britain."  The two were paired in 1835 and I don't think anyone has looked back since.

This is a moving hymn.  It is surprising, but Newton doesn't mention directly mention the Lord until the fourth verse.  Yet the way that Grace builds throughout, I can't help but think of how God's transformative power pervades our lives and draws us to Him.  We are never without His redeeming love.  His Grace allows us to sing His praise no matter what our earthly circumstances are because His love brings as an eternal life joy and peace.  I think if we take that incredible outcome and compare it with our sinful lives, we just begin to see how amazing that His Grace is.

Here are the lyrics.  And since I'm Presbyterian, and the Presbyterian church is fairly Scottish in origins, here are some bagpipes with which to sing.

1) 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.

2) T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear 
The hour I first believed.

3) Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
'Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far
and Grace will lead me home.

4) The Lord has promised good to me.
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.

5) Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease, 
I shall possess within the veil, 
A life of joy and peace.

6) Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease;
I shall profess, within the vail,
A life of joy and peace.

(Fun Fact: This last stanza was not written by John Newton and first appeared published with this hymn in Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin.  It was originally part of a hymn called, "Jerusalem, My Happy Home.")

7) When we've been there ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun.
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we've first begun.