favorite hymns- the stories behind them

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Many have written, sung  and even made movies  about Amazing Grace . John Newton  was born in 1725 in London. His mother was a Puritan. She died when he was seven. His father was a sea captain who took John to sea when he was eleven. The many voyages to sea found John, in his youth, reckless with alcohol. He decided to join the British Navy. Realized it was not what he wanted to do and attempted to desert. His desertion efforts landed him eight dozen lashes and a reduction in rank. 

Newton later found work on a slave ship, to which he himself became a Slave Trader .  Felt his conversion took place after witnessing a miracle on board a ship but did not yield to that change. Though later he became an Anglican Priest. It is in that position he wrote over 280 hymns.

The words of Amazing Grace was written in 1772 and in 1835, William Walker put the tune to the  words.

Amazin Grace according to sources has been played  or performed over 10 million times annually. It has been performed by artists like Aretha Franklin, Elvis, Willie Nelson, just to name a few. 

What's  your favorite hymn? Do you know the story behind it? Hymns can take on a deeper meaning when you know how they came about 

MAHALIA JACKSON

Mahalia Jackson was one of my favorite gospel singers. She was called the "Queen of Gospel Singing." She had over 30 Albums to her credit; some gold records (45 mps); with dozens of gold  records with millions in sales.

She was a friend of Martin Luther King, Jr. who spoke highly of her voice as one that only comes once in a millinneum. Songs to her credit that were a success: "Lord, Don't Move the Mountain; Go Tell It On The Mountain."

It was a great loss to many January 27, 1972 to lose this great gospel artist. Mahalia said when she sang God's songs it made her feel free.

Got a favorite gospel singer? Tell us your story of their life and why you like them.

What is Black Gospel music? Sacred songs sung to the instruments of handclapping and foot-stomping. Some times sung without any instrument.

As slaves, blacks who came to Christianity would often use  slang to turn Biblical information into songs. Church services was the only way they could socialize. In these meetings they worshiped, sung, recited scripture or danced. 

Their past rhythms were incorporated into their meetings. Drums had been used until the masters recognized they could be used as a form of communication.