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The popularity of ‘Amazing Grace’ owes much to its melody

The song has evolved from Christian hymn to secular anthem for humankind. But the powerful tune we know today was not its original one

16 December 2023

9:00 AM

16 December 2023

9:00 AM

Amazing Grace: A Cultural History of the Beloved Hymn James Walvin

University of California Press, pp.216, 16.99

Type ‘Amazing Grace’ into YouTube and you can cancel any other plans you might have had for the day. Page after page serves up everything from Elvis Presley to Pavarotti, Gospel choirs and winsome Celtic lovelies, folkies in fabulous knitwear and X Factor finalists strenuously proclaiming their surgically enhanced faith; even an American president.

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