Amazing Grace

About This Song

“Amazing Grace” is a Christian hymn published in 1779 with words written in 1772 by the English poet John Newton (1725–1807). “Amazing Grace” is one of the most recognizable songs in the English-speaking world. Author Gilbert Chase writes that it is “without a doubt the most famous of all the folk hymns,” and it is estimated that the song is performed about 10 million times annually. Its universal message has been a significant factor in its crossover into both secular and popular music. “Amazing Grace” became newly popular during a revival of folk music in America during the 1960s, and it has been recorded thousands of times during and since the 20th century. Mr. Pasero arranged the work for solo guitar in the key of D major (with the E string tuned to D). It starts in 2/4 time and progresses to 3/4 time. Stevan will be recording this arrangement for his upcoming album. (The audio for this score uses an instrumental sound sample to demonstrate the arrangement.)