Amazing Grace - John Newton

I know everyone knows this song - hell it's considered the most recognizable song in the English language. Today though, I heard the story of it's creation while listening to a rebroadcast of Casey Kasem, and found it incredible. Like most people I'm sure, I immediately associate this song with the church, and to be fair it's writer John Newton become a minister. But at the time when he wrote it, John Newton was in fact a sailor of a British Navy boat who delivered African slaves up to Britain. He began to feel terrible for his involvement in this, especially when they had to be isolated in the hole. After struggling with it for some time, he eventually had a revelation during a rough night at sea, actually calling out to God for mercy. He then went and penned this poem, a collection of his thought and experiences about what he had been involved in, and how he felt the grace of God. He would eventually leave the Navy to study Theology before eventually becoming a pastor. The lyrics are stunningly beautiful, and I picked this version for it's acapella deliverance, which makes it feel more like a poem to me.

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.

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.

Through many dangers, toils and snares...
we have already come.
T'was Grace that brought us safe thus far...
and Grace will lead us home.

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

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.

When we've been here ten thousand years...
bright shining as the sun.
We've no less days to sing God's praise...
then when we've first begun.

"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.