"Amazing Grace" is a Christian hymn published in 1779, written in 1772 by English Anglican clergyman and poet John Newton (1725–1807). It is an immensely popular hymn, particularly in the United States, where it is used for both religious and secular purposes.
Page 53 of Olney Hymns showing the first stanza of the hymn beginning with "Amazing Grace!"
John Newton in his later years
The vicarage in Olney, where Newton wrote the hymn that would become "Amazing Grace"
An 1847 publication of Southern Harmony, showing the title "New Britain" and shape note music.
A hymn is a type of song, and partially synonymous with devotional song, specifically written for the purpose of adoration or prayer, and typically addressed to a deity or deities, or to a prominent figure or personification. The word hymn derives from Greek ὕμνος (hymnos), which means "a song of praise". A writer of hymns is known as a hymnist. The singing or composition of hymns is called hymnody. Collections of hymns are known as hymnals or hymn books. Hymns may or may not include instrumental accompaniment. Polyhymnia is the Greco/Roman goddess of hymns.
Arvid Liljelund [de; fi; sv]'s Man Singing Hymn (1884)
In Christianity, church congregations often sing hymns together as part of their worship (Pictured: worshippers at Uffington Parish Church in England, 1944)
Hymns are often accompanied by organ music
Sanskrit manuscript page from the "Vivaha sukta" Rigveda, dated 1500–1200 BCE
![Arvid Liljelund [de; fi; sv]'s Man Singing Hymn (1884)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/70/Arvid_Liljelund_-_Man_Singing_Hymn_-_A_I_187_-_Finnish_National_Gallery.jpg/640px-Arvid_Liljelund_-_Man_Singing_Hymn_-_A_I_187_-_Finnish_National_Gallery.jpg)
