What is one song that has impacted your life? I was asked to fill in for someone recently who was going to share about the story behind the song Amazing Grace. Thousands of artists have recorded it and it is estimated to be performed about 10 million times annually worldwide.

Amazing Grace is one of the most famous hymns in the world, written by John Newton (1725–1807), an Englishman who went from being a slave trader to an Anglican clergyman and abolitionist. If you’ve never heard it before Dan Vasc is my favourite version of it.

John Newton’s Early Life

Newton had a difficult childhood. His mother (a devout Christian) died when he was young, and his father was a sea captain.
As a teenager and young man, he lived a wild, profane life at sea. He was known for cursing, drinking, and rebellion. He was even pressed into naval service and later worked on slave ships in the Atlantic slave trade.

At one low point, he became a virtual slave himself to a slave trader’s African wife in Sierra Leone and endured harsh treatment.

The Turning Point (1748)

In March 1748, while sailing back to England on the slave ship Greyhound, Newton experienced a severe storm that nearly sank the ship. He prayed desperately for God’s mercy during the crisis. He survived and later marked that day (March 10, 1748) as the beginning of his conversion to Christianity.

However, his full transformation was gradual. He continued working in the slave trade for a few more years (even captaining a slave ship) before eventually quitting seafaring in 1754 after a stroke.

Becoming a Minister and Writing the Hymn

Newton studied theology, was ordained as an Anglican priest in 1764, and became curate (pastor) of the church in Olney, Buckinghamshire, England.
He was a popular preacher and wrote hymns for his sermons, often collaborating with poet William Cowper.
In late 1772, Newton wrote the lyrics to “Amazing Grace” (originally titled “Faith’s Review and Expectation”) to accompany a New Year’s Day sermon on January 1, 1773, based on 1 Chronicles 17:16–17. The congregation in Olney first sang it that day.

It was published in 1779 in the Olney Hymns collection.

The Famous Lyrics Reflect His Life

The words are deeply personal:
Amazing grace! how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

Newton saw himself as a “wretch” — a former blasphemer and slave trader who had been shown undeserved mercy by God.Later Life and LegacyNewton became a strong supporter of the abolition of the slave trade. He mentored William Wilberforce and lived long enough to see the British Parliament pass the Slave Trade Act in 1807 (the year he died).

The tune most people know today (“New Britain”) was paired with the lyrics later in America in the 19th century. The song has since become a global anthem of redemption, hope, and faith, sung by millions across religious and secular contexts.

In short: It’s the testimony of a man who experienced profound grace after a life of deep sin, and who wanted others to know that no one is beyond God’s reach.

If you are a movie fan check out Newton’s Grace.

If you are a documentary fan check out Amazing Grace The Untold Story.

For other songs that have impacted my life check out this playlist of over 150 songs.