Moved by the contemporary rendition of Chris Tomlin’s Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone) we sang at ten45 on Sunday, my mind drifted to the unfamiliar history of the very familiar gospel song told by Wintley Phipps. Set to the tune of a West African sorrow chant or slave melody, Wintley Phipps shares the history of Amazing Grace in this breath taking performance.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfGytXRpfho
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.
Original lyrics written by John Newton (1725-1807)
Melody: Unknown
Bask in his grace, sweet friends, and know that through the redeeming blood of Christ we are slaves to sin no longer.
Love,
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