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... ent melody. Its sounds like they are using the melody to the song House of the Rising Son, but with the lyrics of Amazing Grace. This helps to show how transferable this song is and its freedom. The hymn even appears in the realm of alternative rock (Selection 2), a style that is one of the most popular amongst the current generations. In this style, guitars mark the song again, but there is not the strict rock style.
They are very free and upbeat with the rhythm. Also in the alternative style are drums, vocals and synthesizers. The vocals sing the lyrics with some of their own additions that make it not so antiquated and more of the modern style. Amazing Grace has also hit the world of Blues Music. When first listening to a version of Amazing Grace in this style, it took a while to realize the song was this famous hymn. The recorded version (Selection 3) starts out with drums and a electric guitar in a free flowing solo, this continues for a minute or so until the vocalist begins singing the familiar lyrics.
The guitar and drums maintain a pattern as the singer sings. He stops for a moment in between verses and a saxophone comes in with its own solo, a characteristic of jazz and blues. What happens when a hymn is used in these styles of music? Does the meaning become more or less meaningful? The answer to this lies in the listener. For some the hymn in these styles of music may not have such a holy affect on them, it may now be more of a joyful listening experience that wouldnt evoke as much emotion as it would in a religious rendition.
So in effect the spirituality goes down in some circumstances, most likely in the blues and pop realm, but the spirituality maybe be about the same when it is in the Alternative Rock style because there is a type of music referred to as Christian where presently is geared more towards the younger generations where the alternative style of rock is more popular. Folk (Selection 6) and Country (Selection 11) are two other styles of music where Amazing Grace has shown itself. In country music, the hymn doesnt seem to have changed much. The style is country due its waltz type 3 beat with a strong beat on the on and off beats. Amazing Grace in this style helps to show how it can easily be adapted to fit any situation whatsoever. The hymn in a folk song also shows how it can be adapted.
The folk version lacks instruments when the lyrics are being sung and the singers seem to be in a free feeling harmony. There are parts in the recorded folk version with a guitar during non-singing parts as well as bagpipes. The spirituality in these styles seems to be diminished a bit. The songs style of music is too strong to be influenced by the religiousness of the original work. With the country and folk versions the song tends to take on a more solemn feel to it.
Other styles of the hymn Amazing Grace include: Boss Nova (Selection 4), Gospel (Selection 7), a marching band version, (Selection 8), reggae (Selection 10), and a strange inventive song with no nameable style (Selection 13). What does this mean when the hymn crosses over into so many different styles of music? Universal is its main characteristic. People hear it, they like it, and some times they like it so much they adapt it to many styles of their liking. There may not be another song that has been incorporated into so many styles of music. The styles of Amazing Grace do not have a set number.
There are versions of the song found even in Native American and other foreign languages. The following is the hymn in its original form and a more modern form, as well as the song in other languages. Amazing grace! (how sweet the sound) I once was lost, hut now am found, 'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, How precious did that grace appear, Through many dangers, toils and snares, 'Tis grace has brought me safe thus far, The LORD has promised good to me, He will my shield and portion be, Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail, I shall possess, within the veil, The earth shall soon dissolve like snow, But GOD, who called me here below, I once was lost, but now am found; 'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, How precious did that grace appear Through many dangers, toils and snares, 'Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, The Lord has promised good to me, He will my shield and portion be, Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail, I shall possess, within the veil, The world shall soon dissolve like snow, But God, who called me here below, When we " ve been there ten thousand years, We " ve no less days to sing God's praise BAY DAWTSAHY TAW, GAW AYM OW THAH TAW, Research was not the only factor that contributed to the common feelings that people perceive when hearing or singing this song. Two field interviews also resulted with people feeling an inexplicable closeness with the hymn. Mark Haith, from Virginia Beach's First Baptist Church, said the hymn was one of his favorites, due to its simplicity and its beauty. He really enjoys its simplicity, and the idea that he could have written something like it.
Also, for him, the hymn has a meaning that is truly understandable for everyone. When he found about the true meaning of the hymn and its connection to John Newtons life as a slave ship captain turned religious man, Mr. Haith was highly amazed, but now he really understood the meaning of the hymn. Also he added that maybe the whole idea of someone being saved is another reason why he might enjoy the hymn so much.
The idea of someone in need of being saved is very relevant in todays society and that may be a connection some make to it. The second field interview was from the First Moravian Church of Atlanta. The church choir did not play the hymn, but their hymnbook contained 3 different versions of the hymn. In questioning one of the singers, Clara Cabinets, as to if she feels any connection to the hymn Amazing Grace she said that there was no strong connection to it, but she did feel it was the hymn that she knew best, and she didnt really know why. This answer goes back to the mysterious feeling that many share when hearing the hymn Amazing Grace. For many unknown reasons, people do not know why the hymn feels so normal or close to them, but it simply just does.
Amazing Grace has been with many for a long time and it will probably remain that way. The evolution of such a famous hymn will never cease; the words will always hold a story from one generation to the next. The universal use of this hymn is clearly evident and marks how the world can share a song or emotion. This hymn in its many forms marks a great step, especially in ethnomusicology because it offers much for the ethno musicologist. Appendix of recorded versions of Amazing Grace 8 - Marching by YSU Marching Pride Band 12 - Pop by The Original Joyful Noise vocals by Shirley Piece Bibliography:
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