In April, I heard the Blind Boys of Alabama do Amazing Grace to the House of the Rising Sun Melody and was inspired to meld the two. It always feels powerful and gets a good response when I do it. Generally, as soon as the audience 'gets' the verse, they tend to join in. It sounds a bit ragged, as they are not used to the meter, but it works well.

Amazing Grace/Rising Sun E. Russell, April, 2002 Melody: House of the Rising Sun, two beats at a time, slowly, as though having trouble getting it out.

There is...a house...in New...Orleans, They call...the Ri...sing Sun; It's been...the ruin...of many...a poor lad... And God,... I know...I'm one.

My father...was...a gamb...lin' man, He lived...for Jacks...and Queens; My mother...was...a seam...stress, Sir, She sewed...my new...blue jeans.

Ama...zing Grace, how sweet...the sound That saved...a wretch..like me; I once...was lost..but now...I'm found, Was blind...but now...I see.

'Twas Grace...that taught...my heart...to fear And Grace...that fear...relieved How pre...cious did...that Grace...appear The hour...I first...believed.

Through many...dangers,...toils...and snares I have...already...come; 'Twas Grace...has brought...me safe...thus far And Grace...will bring...me home.

I'm go...ing back...to New...Orleans, My race...is al...most run; I'll spend...my nights...a-seek...ing Grace In the...House...of the Ri...sing Sun.