Amazing Grace

A concept I have always thought about in regards to music is how music is alive in its own right. Once a tune is written and put out into the world it seems to want to belong to the world around it, bending, changing and evolving as it touches other musicians who are then inspired to continue breathing new life into a song, melody or rhythm. This film does an incredible job in showing how a song can mean both the same and very different things to the people and communities it touches, and how that manifests itself in the different ways the song is performed and experienced by the listener.

Amazing Grace, a song written in the 18th Century, has continued to remain a relevant piece for almost 300 years after it was originally written, because it has been kept alive by both communities and musicians who find very deep meaning in the song and feel it will always be relevant because of the effect it has on people. We are shown many a Church congregation singing the hymn in their own way, and learned the story behind the man who originally wrote the hymn. John Newton was a former slave trader who later in life found Christ and grew to be disgusted by his involvement in the evils of slavery. These feelings of shame present themselves in Amazing Grace in the line ” Amazing Grace, How sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me”. John Newton truly loathed the man he used to be and never expected forgiveness for his crimes, and his song was never something he sought to profit from. I think this is hymn remains so relevant in the church even today, because it exemplifies the idea of finding forgiveness and redemption through Christ. The connection to Newtons former life as a slave trader may run even deeper however, because it could be possible that the melody Newton used to write Amazing Grace was one he heard from the slaves he was trading while he was active.

Since its writing, Amazing Grace has been performed and experienced in a variety of ways. Families have enjoyed it as a time of bonding when everyone is able to be together and have warm memories of connecting with loved ones over the hymn. It has been performed in music halls both by world renowned musicians like Judy Collins and Johnny Cash, and school choir groups alike. Amazing Grace has touched people for three centuries and universally it seems to be felt the same way. With a feeling of community, warmth and love.