by Wayne Harrigan

Created on: February 08, 2011

In the 2006 motion picture, “Amazing Grace”, British actor, Albert Finney, plays the part of John Newton, creator of the well-known hymn from which the title is derived.  The focus of the film is the campaign again the slave trade.

From its roots in 18th century England, the hymn “Amazing Grace” has risen to become one of the favorite hymns worldwide.  Who was John Newton and what led him to compose this iconic musical treasure? After his mother died before he was seven years old, John spent a couple of years in boarding school, and at the age of 11, joined his father at sea. His life as a sailor took many twists, and at the age of 18, he was captured and pressed into service with the Royal Navy. It was during a violent storm, when he thought his life was over, that Newton felt the hand of God on him and underwent a conversion.  No more would he engage in drinking, gambling or swearing. He considered himself “a wretch who once was lost but then was found”.

The familiar words continue “Thro’ many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come; ’tis grace has bro’t me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.” The hope these words held for Newton are the words that hold hope for so many today.

At the age of 32, he applied to be a priest of the Church of England, and he patiently waited nine years until he was accepted. For the rest of his life he served the church and worked untiringly as an abolitionist. It was during his life as priest, that he composed a number of hymns including “How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds”, “Glorious Things of Thee are Spoken” and “Amazing Grace”. In the first volume of Olney Hymns published in 1779, there were 280 hymns composed by John Newton.

It was ten years later that “Amazing Grace” was first published in a New York hymnal and from there became well known and much loved throughout the United States. It was only in 1835 that the familiar tune, Harmony Grove, by William Walker, became associated with “Amazing Grace” and has continued till the present. First recorded in 1922, the hymn has now been covered by hundreds of popular singers.  On YouTube, it is possible to hear versions done with bagpipes, by choirs, and in Cherokee and Inuit, also by singers Elvis Presley,  Judy Collins, Aretha Franklin, Il Divo, and many more.   

For extra information about the hymn, visit the website devoted to its history- http://memory.loc.gov/cocoon/ihas/html/grace/grace-h ome.html,

Learn more about this author, Wayne Harrigan.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.