SP5003
Amazing grace
Music: Sheena Phillips, Words: John Newton
Voicing: SATB
Performance time approx: 3m 00s
words by John Newton (1725 - 1807)
tune traditional, arranged by Sheena Phillips
for soprano, alto, tenor and bass chorus (S & A divided)
Price code: C
Complexity:
John Newton was a slave trader before he dramatically converted to Christianity and trained for ordination, and this hymn beautifully expresses the feeling of thanks for finding a good path through life. The setting builds up from a very quiet and slow first verse, via a suddenly more upbeat second verse, to a joyful jazz finale.
The recording is by Rudsambee Company of Singers, from their album bottled at source (RUBEECD003).
Amazing grace
Amazing grace! how sweet the sound
That saved 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 fear relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed.
Through many dangers, toils and snares
We have already come;
'Tis grace that brought us safe thus far,
And grace will lead us home.
When we've been there ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun,
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we first begun.
John Newton