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For the film, see Amazing Grace (2006 film)

Amazing Grace is a well-known Christian hymn. The words were written c. 1772 by Englishman John Newton; they form a part of the Olney Hymns that he worked on, with William Cowper and other hymnodists.

Contents 1 History 2 Bagpipes 3 Use in popular culture 4 Artists who have recorded the song 5 References 6 External links 7 Audio samples

The melody most often used for this hymn was not original (nor was Newton a composer). As with other hymns of this period, the words were sung to a number of tunes before it became linked to the current tune that appeared in American hymnbooks of the 1830s.

There are two different tunes to the words. "New Britain" first appears in a shape note hymnal from 1831 called Virginia Harmony. Any original words sung to the tune are now lost. The melody is believed to be Scottish or Irish in origin; it is pentatonic and suggests a bagpipe tune; the hymn is frequently performed on bagpipes and has become associated with that instrument. The other tune is the so-called "Old Regular Baptist" tune. It was sung by the Congregation of the Little Zion Church, Jeff, Kentucky, on the album The Ritchie Family of Kentucky on the Folkways label (1958).

Newton's lyrics have become a favourite for Christians, largely because the hymn vividly and briefly sums up the doctrine of divine grace. The lyrics are based on I Chronicles 17:16, where King David marvels at God's choosing him and his house. Newton apparently wrote this for use in a sermon he preached on this passage on New Year's Day 1773, for which he left his sermon notes. (He entitled the piece "Faith's review and expectation.")

It has also become known as a favourite with supporters of freedom and human rights, both Christian and non-Christian, in part because many assume it to be his testimony about his slave trading past. The song has been sung by many notable musical performers, such as iconic folk singer Judy Collins

The hymn was quite popular on both sides in the American Civil War. While on the "trail of tears," the Cherokee were not always able to give their dead a full burial. Instead, the singing of "Amazing Grace" had to suffice. Since then, "Amazing Grace" is often considered like a Cherokee National Anthem^[1]. For this reason, many contemporary Native American musicians have recorded the song.

In recent years, this song has also become popular in America with drug and alcohol recovery groups, particularly Christian ones, at celebrations of how they "once were lost, but now are found."

The association with bagpipes is relatively modern; for over a century, the tune was nearly forgotten in the British Isles until the folk revival of the 1960s began carrying traditional musicians back and forth between the British Isles and the United States (where "Amazing Grace" had remained a very popular hymn). It was little known outside church congregations or folk festivals until Arthur Penn's film Alice's Restaurant (1969), in which Lee Hays of The Weavers leads worshipers in singing "Amazing Grace."

The hymn has been recorded by many artists over the last century, and has appeared in several movies and television shows. Memorial services and funerals commonly feature Amazing Grace, often performed with bagpipes. The hymn is also performed in the movie Amazing Grace with a portrayal of John Newton played by Albert Finney.

Owing to its ability to be adapted easily, the song is a popular recording choice. In essence, it has a very basic tune. Singers can then very easily, add melismatic phrases, and alter the melody to make it match their own style/genre of singing.

The hymn has been recorded by many artists over the last century. Two versions have made the UK Singles Chart; between 1970 and 1972, a version by Judy Collins spent 67 weeks in the charts, a record for a female artist, and peaked at number 5. In 1972, an instrumental version by the Pipes and Drums and Military Band of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards spent five weeks at number one, also reaching the top spot in Australia. An extensive listing of artists who have recorded the song may be found at All Music Guide.

• "Bury the chains: The British Struggle to Abolish Slavery", Hochschild, Adam, 2005

1. ^ Duvall, Deborah. Tahlequah and the Cherokee Nation. Arcadia Publishing (November 14, 2000)

• Amazing Grace: The Story of John Newton
• Amazing Grace and other Gospel Lyrics
• Amazing Grace Original Lyrics
• Amazing Grace myths at the Urban Legends Reference Pages
• Art of the States: Amazing Grace variations on the hymn by composer John Harbison

The following sites relate to the 2007 film 'Amazing Grace' about William Wilberforce and the campaign against the Slave Trade:

• Amazing Grace official US website
• Amazing Grace official UK website

• Amazing Grace and other Hymns from 1886 hymnal, played for any browser exactly as written

Preceded by "Without You" by Harry Nilsson

UK number one single (Royal Scots Dragoon Guards version) April 11, 1972

Succeeded by "Metal Guru" by T Rex