WELCOME... THIS IS MUSIC!!! AMAZING GRACE!!!

Hello everybody! Welcome to this new entry of Montcada in English! Today I’d like to share with you one of my favorite songs ever: Amazing Grace. Most of you probably know this song because it is often played at police officer’s funerals in the USA (I don’t think you have been to one, but you must have listened in movies).

Mostly related to funerals, Amazing Grace is a real masterpiece. It was written by an Englishman who in the early part of his life was an outspoken atheist, libertine and slave trader named John Newton, who was born in London in 1725. He was the son of a Puritan mother and a stern ship commander father who took him to sea when he was 11.

By 1745, Newton was enlisted in the slave trade, running captured slaves from Africa to Charleston, South Carolina. After he rode out a storm at sea in 1748, he found his faith. He was ordained an Anglican priest in 1764 and became an important voice in the English abolitionist movement. At that time he wrote the autobiographical Amazing Grace, along with 280 other hymns.

Today Amazing Grace is beloved by people alike and remains a go-to hymn at American funerals, because of its striking melodies and ever-popular narrative of personal redemption.

Here you´ve got the lyrics:

Amazing Grace (watch the video clicking here)

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 fears relieved.

How precious did that grace appear

The hour I first believed.

Through 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 promised good to me

His word my hope secures;

He will my shield and portion be,

As long as life endures.

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,

And mortal life shall cease

I shall possess within 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

Than when we've first begun.