Black History Month Video: The History of Amazing Grace
Watch the amazing video of the history of Amazing Grace. Wintley Phipps at Carnegie Hall tells and sings the story behind the creation of Amazing Grace.
Did you know that Amazing Grace is set to the tune of a West African Sorrow Chant?
Watch it all, but don’t miss starting at 5:40 when he hums/moans/sings it as Newton likely first heard it coming up from the belly of the slave ship.
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What impact does this video have on you personally?
It almost brings me to tears. What a powerful story. No one but God could take something so sorrowful and create one of the greatest songs in the history of the Christian faith.
I agree, Hosea. And you said it so beautifully and powerfully.
Thank God, for all of the mysteries of our cultural heritage that is being revealed, and again thank God for the exposure of the truth in such a way that puts the enemy to shame in the body of Christ. This way, we can move on to greater victories. However, this kind of teaching give us a confidence that what truly happened to us as a people was no accident. Thank God, for His “Amazing Grace”.
The story of John Newton as well as the song Amazing Grace is truly remarkable. I believer, however, that embellishments such this one told by Phipps, while certainly stirring, are not true and detracts from the “amazing” history of Newton’s life. “Amazing Grace” was first published by Newton in 1779 in “Olney Hymns”, but was not associated with this tune (“New Britain”) until 1835. The tune itself, not known until 1829, is thought to be written by James P. Carrell, a minister of the Methodist church and composer living in Virginia.
Stephen, I’d love to see your primary source on that information. Not questioning, I just like to read primary sources. If true, I would still wonder where James P. Carrell was “thought” to have heard the tune. My primary research has shown that at times what whites claim as “theirs” was actually “borrowed” from enslaved blacks. Thanks for sharing your view. Bob
Hi Bob,
No problem. I found most of the information on the history of Amazing Grace at the following link: http://www.markrhoads.com/amazingsite/ It’s written/edited by Mark Rhoads of Bethel University in St. Paul. I cannot find where I first found the authorship attributed to Carrell. The Wikipedia page (not exactly the bastian of reliable primary sources, I’m sure) for James P. Carrell lists his authorship of “Harmony Grove” which, according to Wikipedia is “now the tune most associated with the John Newton hymn ‘Amazing Grace’.” I’m not sure if there is a mix up in tune names (Harmony Grove vs New Britain) or if they are completely separate tunes.
However, that being said, it is certainly possible that Carrell based his “authorship” of the tune on melodies borrowed from enslaved blacks. What is perhaps more of a stretch (in my opinion) is saying that Newton based his poem on a tune that was not associated with the poem until over 50 years later.
On a side note, I’ve been enjoying this series on Black History Month. It’s been a very interesting read.
Stephen, I am actually disappointed at your correction. It would have been such a great story, had it been true – especially with the spiritual significance of God using black and white together to glorify His Name, as pointed out by WP!
But thanks nevertheless; we as Christians must endeavor to the utmost to always walk in truth!
Nearly forgot to share my exhilaration about WP’s magnificent rendition of the hymn. What a gifted singer!
I need wintley Phibs DVD (not You Tube) on amazing Grace at Carnegie Hall. You Tube is not plaine enough. I want to purchase the DVD.
I don’t have a copy. I would imagine that his ministry has copies.