A song shared by the world—transcending race and religion—that prays for the salvation of the soul, healing, and peace.
The lyrics were written by John Newton, an 18th-century British clergyman. In his youth, he was involved in the slave trade, profiting from the transport of many people from Africa to the Americas under brutal conditions. However, at the age of 22, the ship he was aboard faced imminent sinking during a storm; he offered a sincere prayer to God for the first time and miraculously survived. This near-death experience, combined with profound gratitude that God had forgiven even a sinner like himself, inspired the creation of this song.
After making its way to America, the song was embraced by Black slaves enduring severe discrimination, who sang it as an anthem of hope—believing that even wretched souls like theirs could be saved. Today, it is cherished worldwide as a song that transcends race and religion, offering prayers for the salvation of the soul, healing, and peace.
