In a message dated 29/08/00 10:06:30 PM Central Daylight Time, MURCHISOA001@hawaii.rr.com writes: << Dave, And thus ranting his heart's truth emerged. "...Amazing grace a slaver tune,..." ? "...an Englishman at that..." ? ...wee his cowardy custard minister pal." ? There is obviously a history to the tune that I am not aware of. Am I the only one? Could you expand a bit on what seems an interesting tune tale? Arthur Murchison Researching the Murchison family murchiso001@hawaii.rr.com >> Captain John (what ever, Smith I think) was sailing a slave ship from Africa to, I presume America, when he hit a major storm. Being the good Christian Gentleman he was he fell to his knees to make a bargain that if he were to survive the voyage he would never master a slave ship again and would change his evil ways. He was saved, (there is some thought he may of thrown a few slaves over board to lighten the load, but the slaves were not Christian, and many were women or very young children so no real loss there). Any way After unloading the slaves, The bargain between him and the Lord did not include the present cargo and profit, he retired as a slaver and has been thought of as a good man ever since. He then wrote the story of the the incodent, (leaving out the slave part, which we know did not matter much) and the story was about him. Perhaps Africans do not have souls. Then his friend the minister wrote the words to the song that is now one of the most popular in the world. Amazing Grace how sweet thy song that saved a wretch like me, (Note no mention of the Africans tossed over the side or sold into slavery) I once was lost,, but now am found. (no mention of them ever finding the sold slaves or the bodies of those tossed over the side) etc etc. Whoile I am all for redemption and soul saving, it seems that before the sale and slaughter would of perhaps been more appropriate. Dave M. PS: It is a lovely tune though, but don't tell anyone I said that.