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Amazing Grace

Amazing Grace! How sweet the sound,
that saved and set me free!
I once was lost, but now am found,
was blind, but now I see.

It was Grace that saved me from despair,  
my fear did Grace relieve.
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 thus far,
and Grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised life to me,
in His word I am secure;
He will my guide and shelter be,
for now and evermore.

When this earthly temple fails,
and mortal life shall cease;
I shall possess, beyond the veil,
a life of joy and peace.

When we’ve been there ten thousand years,
bright shining as the sun;
We’ve no less days, to sing God’s praise,
then when we first begun.

By Paul Martin © 2012
Amazing Grace www.MyPrayers.net

The lyrics to Amazing Grace were written by a preacher named John Newton and were first published in 1779. It was later combined with William Walker’s music to a song called New Britain in 1829. The last of the six verses was written by Harriet Beecher Stowe and appeared in her widely acclaimed anti-slavery novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin which was published in 1852. Over the years there were some 50 odd verses that have been published in various forms. What I have done is use four of the most popular verses, more specifically verses 1, 2, 3, and 6, and modified them a bit. I also added the lesser-known verses 4 and 5 with revisions as well. I have minimally substituted more contemporary words in order to make the entire lyric reflect a truer understanding of the author’s intent. I have also created new, different, and complementary music for the introduction, verse 3, the musical break, verse 6, and the finale as well. 

Over the centuries the truer message has most often been lost sight of. The reality is it was meant to be a happy song about the unexpected acquiring of the realization that life is eternal and we are eternally safe in God’s loving care and guidance. I have endeavored to make the entire song reflect more of the joy it was originally intended to convey. It will have a different meaning to some than others depending upon the degree of their own spiritual evolution. Yet, whenever it is performed, it never fails to unite the audience with a common bond of peace and tranquility it has always had the power to engender. To this day it remains one of the most popular, often recorded and/or performed songs ever written. 

by Paul Martin 

Music Credits
Original lyrics by John Newton and modified by Paul Martin.
Verse 6 written by Harriet Beecher Stowe.
Original music written by William Walker.   

℗ 2012 New music and words written and performed by Paul Martin.
Produced and arranged by Paul Martin and Daryl Kojak.   

℗ 2013 Lyrics and Music amended by Paul Martin. 
Produced and arranged by Paul Martin and Daryl Kojak.  

© 2023 New music and words written and performed by Paul Martin.
Produced and arranged by Paul Martin and Daryl Kojak. 

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