Amazing Grace is probably the most recognizable sacred songs of all time.  There are many different versions of the song. It’s played at all types of gatherings, whether it be worship services, funerals, during intense battle scenes, and more.  There’s even been a major motion picture about the song, but it’s amazing how little most of us know about the hymn.

A lot of times when something gets really popular, meaning is lost.  The story  is lost, either through familiarity or through removing words.  There’s a great story within the verses of Amazing Grace most of us know, but there’s an even greater story in the verses that precede “Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound.”

Through a series of divine circumstances, I stumbled upon these missing verses at a Kroger in Jellico, TN, a town just past the Kentucky border.  I was so moved by what I read, that I rewrote the music and came up with my own version of Amazing Grace.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=teGHYBIyVeY

In evil long I took delight
Unawed by shame or fear;
‘Til a new object met my sight,
And stopped my wild career.

I saw One hanging on a tree,
In agonies and blood;
Who fixed His languid eyes on me
As near His cross I stood.

Sure, never ’til my latest breath,
Can I forget that look
It seemed to charge me with His death
Though not a word He spoke.

My conscience owned and felt the guilt,
And plunged me in despair;
I saw my sins His blood had shed,
And helped to nail Him there.

Alas, I knew not what I did,
But all my tears were vain;
Where could my trembling soul be hid,
For I the Lord had slain!

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.

Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease;
I shall possess within the vail,
A life of joy and peace!