Interesting version of Amazing Grace

I have always liked this song ever since hearing a bluesman sing against bottleneck guitar when I was about 16. Especially with the association of the writer with Sir William Wilberforce and the fight to end slavery.

This is the Blind Boys of Alabama singing it to the tune of the House of the Rising Sun

Admin wrote:I have always liked this song ever since hearing a bluesman sing against bottleneck guitar when I was about 16. Especially with the association of the writer with Sir William Wilberforce and the fight to end slavery.

One of my favourites too, Jim.

John Newton, a former slave ship captain, writer of “Amazing Grace” became curate of Olney.

In 1767, William Cowper, the poet, moved to Olney.

He worshipped in the church, and collaborated with Newton on producing a volume of hymns, which was eventually published as Olney hymns in 1779.

This work was to have a great influence on English hymnology.

The volume included Newton's well-known hymns "Glorious Things of Thee are Spoken", "How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds!", "Come, My Soul, Thy Suit Prepare", "Approach, My Soul, the Mercy-seat", and "Faith's Review and Expectation" which came to be known by its opening phrase, "Amazing Grace”.

Thanks Z