Right you are, Prudentius- I had noticed it in the Thomas Hymnal and did't think to look in Sweet Songster. The Thomas was published in 1877, by the way. Well, I suppose that Charles Wesley was celebrating the millenium of Something, when he wrote the song in 1750. Thanks for the information on lining-out the hymns- I have always sung them in our old church, but only recently have seen articles written by southern friends and realized that our Old Regular Baptist Church, and its brothers, rivals and branches, have a trail going back to beginnings in New England. Before that, I believe, the roots go further back, into Scotland and England mainly, with a bit of American Indian thrown in, maybe.

Barbara Shaw- Your 13-verse version of "Amazing Grace," was in truth amazing, but it's clear they don't all belong in the original song. I recognized two or three different songs from which a verse had been borrowed. I haven't gone back to re-read them today, but can give you the titles of those songs if you care to have them.

Liland, my Thomas Hymnal has, "I Would, But Can Not Sing," with no composer credits given. It has 8 verses, and appears in the section entitled, "Trust in God." The verses are the same as the one you give; some of the punctuation is different, only. Your major melody is one I haven't heard as a hymn, but it is similar to tunes I have heard with early "old-time" secular songs when I was growing up. Many thanks, all, Jean