John Newton wrote this song in 1748. I have always loved this song. It has one of those haunting melodies. John Newton wrote this song after nearly dying in a shipwreck.
One night, while on board the "Greyhound", John was awakened by water gushing into his cabin. As John was climbing the stairs to go on deck, the Captain asked him to get a knife, so John turned back. The very next person to go on deck was washed into the sea by a large wave.
After nearly twenty-four hours of pumping water, patching holes, and repairing the ship, the storm subsided. Only then, did the crew realize that they were in danger of starvation, for most of their supplies had been destroyed by the storm waters.
To further complicate their chance of survival, the winds died down and their vessel sat still for some time. With their supplies running dry, the winds began again, but blew them off course.
They finally arrived on the northwestern coast of Ireland about four weeks after the storm damage they suffered.
Through this ordeal, John Newton came to full surrender to God's amazing grace.
2 comments:
Beautiful any day...but especially this one. I woke up thinking of my sweet daughter, Olivia Grace.
Six years ago with her death imminent we woke up oceanside (for the last time) on her last wish trip.
She's my Amazing Grace. I take this post as a sign.....
Thank you for being the vessel.
have always loved this song. thanks for the history about the writer. rose
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