Quote:
Originally Posted by Esaias
The hymn Amazing Grace (originally titled 'Faith's Expectation and Review') was a hymn written by John Newton. It was sung throughout the 18th and 19th centuries to various tunes. The one we all know and love is the tune called 'New Britain', which first appeared in written form associated with Amazing Grace back in 1829 or 1835 (can't remember which one). It has been sung to many different tunes, and even today some churches sing it to a tune other than New Britain.
New Britain's origin in unknown. The melody appears Scottish, as it follows the traditional Scottish pentatonic form. Scholars speculate it is either a Scottish folk tune, a forgotten hymn tune from Scotland, an American folk tune or hymn tune originating probably in the south (lots of Scots settled in the southern colonies/states and Scotland's influence is still felt there), or even possibly a melody devised by slaves (who would have used the Scottish form due to being exposed and surrounded by Scottish-American influences).
The claim it was a 'drinking song' is wholly without merit or basis in fact or history. It appears to be a myth or 'urban legend'.
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Ummm...folk song=drinking song.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drinkin.../Drinking_song
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