How Sweet The Sound

As one of the most popular hymns, Amazing Grace is often sung in times of great joy as well as times of deep sorrow, providing inspiration as a guiding light through the darkness.

John Newton, was a slave ship captain whose boat was caught in a violent storm in 1748. According to his journal, at the point when it seemed certain that his vessel would sink, he cried out, "Lord, have mercy upon us."

After some reflection on this incident, Newton converted to Christianity, eventually becoming a preacher, believing that God had addressed him through the storm and that grace had begun to work in his life.

Eventually, after his conversion, he gave up working in the slave trade. Until then, he ensured that the slaves he was transporting were treated humanely.

The music is typically attributed to an early American folk melody or speculated as the tune of a song the slaves sang.