Amazing Grace

Thursday, July 6, 2017

John Newton published the lyrics to Amazing Grace in 1779 in a hymn book that only had words and no music. Although no one is sure what it's original tune was, it is safe to assume that it was not our commonly sung tune, New Britain. In fact, these two were not published together until 1835. An earlier publication (1790) paired it with Hephzibah, for instance. And because of its common meter, it's possible that it was sung to any number of tunes in its early days. 

I find some of these a little comical, but I discovered references to these tunes for Amazing Grace's lyrics:

• While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks By Night
• Warwick
• I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry
• Theme Song for Dallas
• The Water Is Wide
• Eagles: Take It Easy
• 1971 Coca-Cola Theme Song
• Theme to Gilligan's Island
• Auld Land Syne
• Hernando's Doxology
• House of the Rising Sun
• Londonberry Air (Danny Boy)

I think it's interesting that a powerful song like this can be sung to such frivolous music. But it's really kind of cool if you think about it. You send your child to camp and they come back singing Anazing Grace to some silly tune. But guess what? They memorized the words. And they'll likely never forget them because of their association to a familiar tune. That's a good thing. 

Lord, thank you for the lyrics to Amazing Grace   They are so powerful. And thank you for your grace which is so amazing. May we spread the word wherever we go.