Amazing Grace Lyrics
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
[Verse 2]
T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear
And Grace, my fears relieved
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed
[Verse 3]
Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
'Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far
And Grace will lead me home
[Verse 4]
The Lord has promised good to me
His word my hope secures
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures
[Verse 5]
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
About
“Amazing Grace” is a Christian hymn, published in 1779 by English poet and clergyman John Newton (1725-1807). Newton had no faith in God for much of his life, and was a navy seaman before becoming involved in the slave trade. In fact, he was renowned for being a profane character, and was well-loved for writing crude and mocking poems about his captains and other sailors. He penned the first verse after surviving a vicious storm in 1748, although he remained in the slave trade until 1755 when he began studying Christian theology.
The poem in its entirety was written at a time when poems were becoming increasingly popular as a means of making theological concepts plain for common people to understand. His collection of hymns titled Olney Hymns, co-written with William Cowper, had an immediate impact and had widespread popularity amongst English evangelists of the time.
The song we know as Amazing Grace was published with the title “1 Chronicles 17:16–17, Faith’s Review and Expectation”, without any accompanying music. The tune we recognise today is “New Britain”, attached in 1835.
250 years after Newton published his poem it is widely acknowledged as one of the most recognisable songs in the English-speaking world, and the most famous of all Christian folk hymns.
Q&A
Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning
This song was released under the name “New Britain” by The Original Sacred Heart Choir in August of 1922.
This song was released under the name “Amazing Grace” by Ernest Broadbent in 1974.