Overview
Written in 1779 by John Newton. Newton was truly lost and a wretch as his song claims. He profited from transporting slaves by ship across the Atlantic and participated in piracy. His life was saved by God in a shipwreck and he committed his life to serving God and righting wrongs for the rest of his life.
Keys
This one is easy to oversing and overplay. Pick a key that doesn’t have a soprano scooping too much for notes.
It can be played straight out of the hymnal or played freely with liberal application of 7th chords.
Use in Worship
This song makes for a good closer for a worship set. In a four song set, I would prefer to use it in the 3 slot as it is still personally introspective and if you’re looking for a more ascriptive song, this is not the one for you. While it does sing about the awesome love and grace of God, it is very much in the context of the worshiper.
It also makes for a pretty decent song of commitment.
Lyrics
Amazing Grace, How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now am found
T’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,
And grace will lead us home
Love, Them 