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Amazing Grace, How Sweet the Sound

Who would have thought that the ever-popular hymn "Amazing Grace" was written by a former slave trader who, until a series of near-death moments, would mock faith and religion to all who would listen? John Newton penned the poem in 1772, but not before he had spent years living an existence in defiance of Christianity and mortality.

The choir of a Catholic church in Penasco, N.M., singing Christmas hymns. 1943 John Newton. Prints and Photographs Division

On more than one occasion, he was brought face-to-face with the notion that he had been miraculously spared — from surviving a horseback riding accident to fortunately missing a boat that overturned and drowned all of its passengers. Yet, despite these wake-up calls, Newton continued to defy religion and dissuade others from their beliefs. It wasn’t until he became violently ill while on a trip in Africa that he adopted his spirituality. He continued to be active in the slave trade, however, until 1754 when he gave up seafaring altogether. Some 10 years later, Newton became a priest, despite his storied past as a sinner.

Newly ordained, Newton met the poet William Cowper, also a newly born Christian. Their friendship led to a spiritual collaboration culminating in "Amazing Grace." Some 60 years later in America, the text was set to the hymn tune "New Britain," to which it has been sung ever since.

A Library Web presentation on "Amazing Grace," devoted to the evolution of the popular hymn, explores its history through items in the Library’s collections like printings of the song to various sound recordings. The presentation is brought to you by "LC Presents: Music, Theater and Dance," a Web site that invites visitors to experience the diversity of American performing arts found in the Library’s collections of scores, sheet music, audio recordings, films, photographs, maps and other materials.


A. The choir of a Catholic church in Penasco, N.M., singing Christmas hymns. 1943. Prints and Photographs Division. Reproduction Information: Reproduction No.:  LC-USW3-013665-C (b&w film neg.); Call No.: LC-USW3- 013665-C [P&P]

B. John Newton. Prints and Photographs Division. Reproduction Information: Reproduction No.: LC-USZ62-38674 (b&w film copy neg.); Call No.:  BIOG FILE [item] [P&P]