Song of the Week: Twila Paris' "Amazing Grace"

In my "Song of the Week" feature we're reaching back to some old hymns for a few weeks. This week's hymn is probably the most pop­u­lar song in the Eng­lish lan­guage. "Amazing Grace" was writ­ten in 1772 by John Newton, most famous for his conversion from slave trading to preaching the gospel. At 82, Newton said, "My memory is nearly gone, but I remember two things, that I am a great sinner, and that Christ is a great Saviour." His story plays a minor role in the film about William Wilberforce, "Amazing Grace" (trailer), now out on DVD.

Austin's Chris Tomlin has a version of the song used to promote the Wilberforce film (music video). But the rendition I've chosen is from Twila Paris, off her 1998 project, Perennial--

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found;
Was blind, but now I see.

’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed!

Through many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.

When we’ve been there ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun,
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
Than when we’d first begun.

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The player for the featured "Song of the Week" can be found on the upper right corner of the weblog for one week.