amazing grace

On the bus tonight, as we were rumbling along back up to campus after rock climbing, I tuned into a conversation between Sam and Jenna. Sam was talking about "a song we always sing at new year - it's the most depressing song ever". When Jenna enquired what the song was, he replied that it was Amazing Grace. What then followed was a big argument about whether he actually was getting confused about Auld Lang Syne or not.

I interrupted. "What do you mean by calling it depressing?", I asked.

"Oh, it's the line about 'America saved a wretch like me'".

Once the hilarity had calmed over the idea that America really does consider itself God and capable of saving the word, I did think about it seriously. For me, Amazing Grace is about as happy as it gets. What can be more amazing than being redeemed, of being given such a birthright? Surely humanity is wretched - just look at the news tonight. I can't think of many more joyful things than the promise we are given and the grace we have received! I know that too often I am too quick to dismiss older hymns in favour of newer worship songs, but sometimes the classics just hit to the root of the matter.

I love this version of Amazing Grace, called Joy Is In This Place by Tim Hughes:

Dance, dance, everybody dance
Everybody sing, for joy is in this place now
(Repeat x 4)

Everybody dance now

Amazing grace how sweet the sound
To save a wretch like me
I once was lost but now am found
Was blind but now I see

Dance, dance, everybody dance
Everybody sing, for joy is in this place now
(Repeat)

Joy is in this place now

Amazing grace…

Shout, shout everybody shout
Everybody sing, for joy is in this place now