Amazing Grace is a well-known Christian hymn. The words were written around 1772 by Englishman John Newton. They first appeared in print in Newton’s Olney Hymns, 1779 that he worked on with William Cowper. John Newton was a slave trader and slave ship captain. Although he wrote the hymn while on board his slave ship, he spoke out against slavery later in life and became an abolitionist.

Newton wrote up his eyewitness accounts of the appalling conditions in which enslaved Africans were held while on board ships. He shared this evidence with William Wilberforce, human rights activist and British member of Parliament, and encouraged him to use it in his fight to get the slave trade abolished. The 2007 movie “Amazing Grace” was inspired by this story of Newton’s involvement with William Wilberforce.

The song is believed to have been written for New Year’s Day 1773. The song has historically been sung to several different tunes, and the melody popularized today 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, witnessed by the commercial success of the bagpipe version as performed by the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards.

Amazing Grace has become a symbol of hope and divine grace and is therefore a popular Christian hymn. Activists and freedom fighters everywhere also love the song for its history in the abolition of slavery, where politics is seen in the light of heroism.

Amongst the long list of artists who have recorded the song are Aretha Franklin, Bryan Ferry, Charlotte Church, Destiny’s Child, Diana Ross, Dolly Parton, Joan Baez, Judy Collins, U2, Johnny Cash, Ray Charles, Rod Stewart, Sinead O’Connor and the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards; who had a number one hit in the UK charts in 1971. Many Native Americans have recorded the song because it became an anthem of sorts, as it was often sung in place of a burial by the Cherokee while on the Trail of Tears.

Original lyrics by John New­ton:

“Amazing Grace”

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 has 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.

Daniel Kobialka offers three different renditions of Amazing Grace on four albums. On “The Gift of Love”, recorded in St. Patrick’s church in Washington, D.C., pipe organ and cello impart the full emotional impact of a church hymn.

On “World on a String”, a Gospel piano introduction followed by more contemporary orchestral harmonization with Celtic and Coplandesque shadings underscores the popularity of this song with a variety of cultures, and its adaptability.

“Going Home Again” and “Celtic Fantasy” feature a Celtic Medley which includes Amazing Grace, Auld Lang Syne, and Loch Lomond, interpreted by flute, strings, synthesizer, and horns.

We offer you here a sample of Amazing Grace from “World on a String”. Click here to listen and download “Amazing Grace”.