BBC Radio - Power of Song

Subject: Power of Song
From: The Sandman
Date: 10 Jan 24 - 04:37 PM

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001v3mb BBC radio

Subject: RE: BBC Radio - Power of Song
From: Joe Offer
Date: 10 Jan 24 - 04:52 PM

Here are the notes:

The power of song: Laurie Taylor talks to James Walvin, Professor of History Emeritus at the University of York and author of a new study which explores the cultural history of "Amazing Grace," one of the transatlantic world's most popular hymns and a powerful anthem for humanity. How did a simple Christian hymn, written in a remote English vicarage in 1772, come to hold such sway over millions in all corners of the modern world? Also, Angela Impey Professor of Enthomusicology at SOAS, argues that songs in South Sudan can be key platform for truth-telling, often invested with greater moral force than other forms of communication in the context of 50 years of civil war. What role can songs play in the struggle for peace and justice?

Subject: RE: BBC Radio - Power of Song
From: GUEST,John from Kemsing
Date: 11 Jan 24 - 05:49 AM

It seems to me that "man" has been singing songs about the iniquity of war ever since Adam was a boy but they have made not one iota of difference. Just look at the world we live in today. Ukraine, Gaza, Yemen, to name just a few. Will it ever stop?

Subject: RE: BBC Radio - Power of Song
From: The Sandman
Date: 11 Jan 24 - 06:36 AM

All the time there is an armaments industry, probably not.
Bertrand Russell advocated a world government, would that make a difference?

Subject: RE: BBC Radio - Power of Song
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 11 Jan 24 - 03:07 PM

Whenever I'm on my travels, either here in Blighty or sur le continent, I've whipped out a little G blues harp in the churches we visit (which have been many) and played Amazing Grace. The acoustic is always very forgiving. I haven't managed it in a cathedral yet. One never wishes to offend. It's a simple and perfect little tune. I played it at my dad's funeral and, just last summer, at a little ashes burial ceremony.

Subject: RE: BBC Radio - Power of Song
From: GUEST,henryp
Date: 11 Jan 24 - 04:13 PM

Ordained in the Church of England in 1764, Newton became the curate of Olney, Buckinghamshire, where he began to write hymns with poet William Cowper. "Amazing Grace" was written to illustrate a sermon on New Year's Day of 1773. It is unknown if there was any music accompanying the verses; it may have been chanted by the congregation. It debuted in print in 1779 in Newton's and Cowper's Olney Hymns, but settled into relative obscurity in England. In the United States, "Amazing Grace" became a popular song used by Baptist and Methodist preachers as part of their evangelizing, especially in the American South, during the Second Great Awakening of the early 19th century. It has been associated with more than 20 melodies. In 1835, American composer William Walker set it to the tune known as "New Britain" in a shape note format; this is the version most frequently sung today. Wikipedia

Newton and Cowper attempted to present a poem or hymn for each prayer meeting. The lyrics to "Amazing Grace" were written in late 1772 and probably used in a prayer meeting for the first time on 1 January 1773. A collection of the poems Newton and Cowper had written for use in services at Olney was bound and published anonymously in 1779 under the title Olney Hymns. Newton contributed 280 of the 348 texts in Olney Hymns; "1 Chronicles 17:16–17, Faith's Review and Expectation" was the title of the poem with the first line "Amazing grace! (how sweet the sound)". Wikipedia

The Earl of Dartmouth had a substantial country seat at Sandwell Hall in the Midlands, demolished in 1828. He also had a London townhouse at Blackheath. With all his other properties, he had no need of the Olney Great House, standing behind the churchyard by the river. Rev John Newton was therefore able to have the use of it for his Sunday schools and prayer meetings. Both Cowper and Newton wrote hymns for the occasion when in 1769 the Tuesday payer meeting for adults was moving into the largest room in the Great House. Jesus, where’er thy people meet’ written by Cowper and ‘On Opening a Place for Social Prayer’ by Newton. Cowper and Newton Museum

It was January 1, 1773. John Newton led his congregation down the road from the parish church in Olney, England, to Lord Dartmouth’s Great Hall to sing “new” music not traditionally allowed by the Anglican Church. Newton loved to write hymns and poetry, and the hymn he wrote for this day was special. It spoke of his conversion, of his self-proclaimed wretchedness, and of the saving power of God’s grace. Since then, the words of “Amazing Grace” have struck a chord with millions across cultures and generations, and its popularity has never wavered.
https://www.museumofthebible.org/magazine/exhibitions/celebrating-250-years-of-amazing-grace