IF YOU’VE ATTENDED a Christian wake or funeral, you may have heard this hymn[1] being sung—yes, it does not only happen in the movies. In fact, with the many songs sung during a funeral, you might be thinking, “These Christians really sing a lot! I came to grieve, but I might leave humming.”
This particular hymn, “Amazing Grace”, was written in 1779 by John Newton, who spent the first 20 years of his life faced with hardships after his mother passed away when he was six. Later in life, Newton faced many near-death experiences, and this, he documents in this hymn.
“Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
‘tis grace has brought me safe thus far,
and grace will lead me home.”
“Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
and mortal life shall cease;
I shall possess, within the veil,
a life of joy and peace.”
