Title: "Amazing Grace"

By John Newton

Publishing Info: 

Nature: Non Fiction

Genre: Lyrical Poem

Sub-genre: - Autobiography

Nationality: - British

Time Period: - 18th

First  read by Dr. Rearick:  No idea / Jan. 2003

Rated: A+

Location: - Dr. Rearick's Office and an E-text is Available

Used for: Introduction to Literature

Scripture which Comes to Mind:
 

Comments:  One of the most famous of hymns.  I also remember my mother referring to it as Scotland unofficial national anthem.  I don't know how true that is, but a web search brings up many references which overtly connect Scotland to this hymn.

Its simple power can be seen even in its poetic form which is common or ballad metre.

In ENG 1073 this song bears special significance in the study of Samuel Taylor Coleridge Rime of the Ancient Mariner since I agree with others that the mysterious "N" referred to in Coleridge's notes while writing "The Rime" is Newton rather than Nelson..

Translated into Scotch Gaelic:

"Miorbhail Gra\is"

O Miorbhail gra\is! nach breagh' an ceo\l;
'S e lorg mi 's mi air chall,
Air seachdran dorch', gun neart, gun treo\ir,
'S a dh'fhosgail su\ilean dall.

'S e gra\s thug eo\las dhomh air m'fheum;
'S e gra\s thug saors' is si\th;
'S cha cheannaicheadh o\r a' chruinne-che\
Chiad la\ bha fios nam chri\dh'.

Tro iomadh cunnart 's trioblaid chruaidh
Thug E gu sa\bhailt mi.
An gra\s a shaor bhon bha\s le buaidh
Chan fha\g 's cha tre\ig gu si\or.

San dachaigh bhuan gun uair gun ti\m,
'S deich mi\le bliadhn' mar la\,
Cha sguir an ceo\l 's chan fha\s iad sgi\th
A' seinn a chaoidh mun ghra\s.

(Version sent to me by An Comunn Gaidhealach, translator unknown)

For information regarding the original English version of this song, see
http://www.cgmusic.com/cghymnal/others/amazinggrace.htm and
http://www.tch.simplenet.com/htm/a/amazgrac.htm