“AMAZING GRACE”Songs in the Key of AP

By Joseph Hillhouse and Subhash Koneru

ORIGINAL “AMAZING GRACE”

Written by John Newton an English poet who was involved in the slave trade. One night in a terrible storm at sea he cried out to God for mercy and after a few more years quit the slave trade and began studying theology. In 1773, he wrote “Amazing Grace” to illustrate a sermon on New Year’s Day, what is a testimony of his life.

“AMAZING GRACE” SUNG BY JUDY COLLINS

In 1835, “Amazing Grace” took the melody of a British song “New Britain” by William Walker which is the melody most currently associated with it

It is this melody that Judy Collins sings “Amazing Grace” too.

“AMAZING GRACE” SUNG BY JUDY COLLINS CONT.

The style is Southern Gospel

The theme is that forgiveness and redemption is possible regardless of the sins people commit and that the soul can be delivered from despair because of the Grace of God

The tempo is slow and communicates reverence

Register is higher and much more mellow

“AMAZING GRACE” BY CHRIS TOMLIN

The style is Contemporary Christian

The theme is the still the same

The melody is not dramatically changed but there is a difference in that the style is more contemporary. Chris Tomlin did add a refrain; this adds a deeper meaning and compliments the theme. “My chains are gone; I am free… Unending Love, Amazing Grace”

Register is lower

InstrumentsI

nstruments used in Judy Collins and Chris Tomlin are Piano. But, Judy Collins version focuses more on the vocals while Chris Tomlin's version focuses on both the piano and vocals.

Poem – How Great Thou Art by Elvis Presley

Oh Lord my God when I in awesome wonderConsider all the *worlds thy hands have madeI see the stars, I hear the **rolling thunderThy power throughout the universe displayed

REFRAIN:Then sings my soul my savior God to theeHow great thou art How great thou art Then sings my soul my savior God to theeHow great thou art how great thou art

When thru the woods and forest glades I wanderAnd hear the birds sing sweetly in the treesWhen I look down from lofty mountain grandeurAnd hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze (Refrain)

And when I think that God, his Son not sparingSent Him to die, I scarce can take it inThat on the cross my burden gladly bearingHe bled and died to take away my sin (Refrain)

When Christ shall come With shout of acclamationTo take me home What joy shall fill my heartThen I shall bow in humble adorationAnd there proclaim my God how great thou art (Refrain)