Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)

John Newton, born in London July 24, 1725 is the writer of the famous hymn Amazing Grace. His father was the commander of a merchant ship while his mother educate him spiritual knowledge and guide him in Christianity. However, she passed away when John was 6 and followed his father on sailing.

John Newton:

It was then he strayed away from Christ, even saying that he don't believe in salvation. Being captured and turn into a common seaman, and finally a servant for a slave-trader, John was brutally abused. Wretch was what he claimed to be as.

Wretch: A miserable, unfortunate or unhappy person.

During a violent storm while he was steering the ship, he knew there's no way getting through it, the ship would surely sink. This was his "great deliverance", he shouted "Lord, has mercy on us", and the storm was calmed.

He retired from sailing and slave-trading in 1755 after a serious illness. He decided to become a minister and was ordained by the Bishop of Lincoln. John preached not only in Olney but also around Buckinghamshire. Besides weekly church service, he held a series of prayer meeting and soon came up with the words for Amazing Grace to remind his congregation about the great mercy of God.

Chris Tomlin who later added the chorus My Chains Are Gone for this hymn was greatly amazed by John Newton's encounters as he research about the song. Chris expressed that everyone is born to be the slave of sin or any earthly things that bound us down, that's why Jesus died on the cross to break the chain, and set us free.

Reference:
Chris Tomlin sharing about My Chains Are Gone
John Newton's story
Story of Amazing Grace (Youtube)

My version of Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone) is of course inspired by my greatest worship experience so far in ConneXion Conference 09. I'm just a beginner in blue piano, but trying to expand. Well, if Chris Tomlin added a chorus for this song, me as well added a bridge. Just trying some arrangement tricks.

Anyway, this song was supposingly done in the summer, but it dragged for 3 months. I could blame it all on the busy schedules, but I know it's mainly the issue of G.U (it's the initial, guess yourself).

Well, it was a stressful week of projects. I just can't do anything but find cure in The Lord. Wandering in front of my laptop, I opened this half-done song and completed the song in 1 night. Resting for a day, and started vocal recording yesterday night, and it lasts til 5:00 a.m. The quality is not that good as a lot of things are stirring in me. What to do... this is all I have.

"I have not lost a single one of those you gave me"
-John 18:9-

Lord, I pray that You will reveal our respective paths that can fulfill our purpose on Earth. Make us strong in what we should do and barrier us from the misleading. Yes, I am a wretch, Your amazing grace once lifted me and I thank You Lord, for all that You've done, and will do. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.