Amazing Grace (Always)

Common Hymnal’s new derivative of the classic hymn “Amazing Grace” was updated by five of our black writers to celebrate its 250th anniversary. The original was written by a former slave trader after years of engaging in the ‘business’ as a professed believer. Not only does history suggest that John Newton put his poem to one of the pentatonic melodies that he heard the Africans sing on his ships, but the new copyright derivatives of this Public Domain song have mostly been in white hands. We feel that this ‘black penned update’ is an important way to celebrate the song’s 250th anniversary.

AMAZING GRACE (ALWAYS)
Written by Nabil Ince (BMI), Vincent Charlow (BMI), Phillip Joubert (ASCAP), Darryl Griffin (ASCAP), Marvin Hudgins (ASCAP)
© 2023 Common Hymnal Digital (BMI), Seaux Chill Publishing (BMI), Soul Lore Creative (BMI), Common Hymnal Publishing (ASCAP), Zero Dynamite (ASCAP), Mangomusic (ASCAP), Mangomusic2 (ASCAP) (admin by IntegratedRights.com). CCLI 7215627.

VERSE 1
Db Db7 Gb Db F7
Amazing grace, how sweet the sound
Bbm7 Eb7 Gb/Ab Ab7
That saved a wretch like me
Db Db7 Gb Db F7
I once was lost, but now am found
Bbm7 Eb7 Gb/Ab Gb Db/F Ebm7 Db
Was blind, but now I see

VERSE 2
Db Db7 Gb Db F7
’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
Bbm7 Eb7 Gb/Ab Ab7
And grace my fears relieved
Db Db7 Gb Db F7
How precious did that grace appear
Bbm7 Eb7 Gb/Ab Gb Db/F Ebm7 Db
The hour I first believed

HOOK
Gb Db/F Ebm7 Db
Always, been your grace

VERSE 3
Db Db7 Gb Db F7
In spite of pain and life's unrest
Bbm7 Eb7 Gb/Ab Ab7
When there's no hope I see
Db Db7 Gb Db F7
There's grace that woke me up this morn
Bbm7 Eb7 Gb/Ab Gb Db/F Ebm7 Db
And grace that lets me sleep

VERSE 4
Eb Eb7 Ab Eb G7
When all around is sinking sand
Cm7 F7 Ab/Bb Bb7
And every hope is gone
Eb Eb7 Ab Eb G7
This power shelters from the storm
Cm7 F7 Ab/Bb Ab Eb/G Fm7 Eb
And keeps me holding on

HOOK
Ab Eb/G Fm7 Eb
Always, been your grace

TAG
Ab G7
Always been your, your grace
Cm7
Grace that kept me
C7
Grace still keeping me

RAP
If I’m being honest
Lately I been kinda feeling like the prodigal son
Was on a path then I started to run
Right path, but my footing got off by a little bit
And off for that long it had me lost in the thick of it
Lost and I’m feeling ill-equipped, how’d it get to this?
I used to be a prince
But now I’m stumbling in my feebleness
Ready to quit
And yet it was your grace that kept me
And even, now, somehow I find it’s grace still keeping me
And leading me, what an epiphany
To see that, regardless of where I’ve been, father, you have never resisted me
In fact you gifted me with the way and the truth and the life
And he’s given me eyes to truly see
And comprehend your grace
That from beginning to end, I’ll always be in your grace
And, even when I fail to be all that I am
I know you’re always faithful
And it’s only by your amazing grace, that can make me able