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Lyrics
Amazing Grace
trad. by John Newton 1779
new words by Chuck Phillips
Amazing grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost, but now I'm found,
I was blind, but now I see.
It 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
I have already come;
It's grace that's brought me safe so far
And grace will lead me home.
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.
(Narrator)
My name is John Newton, and I was born in 1725 in London, England. My father was the captain of a great merchant ship, so I followed him to sea when I was only 11 years old. By the time I was 19, I was forced to serve on a British Naval ship, but I found this duty to be intolerable. I deserted the ship, but later I was recaptured and punished.
Soon after that I began a dark period of my life which I will always regret. I worked as slave trader. We sailed to West Africa to obtain cargos of human beings to sell for a rich profit. And I couldn't see their suffering, and how terrible I was.
However, in 1748 I experienced a turning point in my life, an event that seriously changed my viewpoint forever. On the voyage home, I was trying to steer my ship through a violent storm. The wind was tearing up the sails and giant waves were crashing over the ship. I was certain that the ship would sink and we would all perish in the raging sea.
But an amazing thing happened. We were saved! And I knew I was being given another chance to be a better person. I never traded another slave after that day in the storm.
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