Today, the exact composer of “Amazing Grace” is unknown. It is possible that Newton was inspired by the intervals the slaves on his ship were singing and then composed “Amazing Grace”. This pentatonic scale was referred to as the “Slave Scale” in early America. Negro Spirituals are built on the pentatonic scale, or as some say, on the black keys of the piano. Other believe that Newton was inspired by the slaves aboard his vessel during the storm, who may have also been singing to God. Some believe the original version of “Amazing Grace” was written without music and the congregation chanted the words instead. “Amazing Grace” experienced a revival in America during the Great Awakening period. Newton and Cowper first published “Amazing Grace” in the Only Hymns but the song fell into relative obscurity for many years. William Cowper was a poet and the two became partners writing hymns. He later studied theology and became the curate of Only, Buckinghamshire and began writing hymns. It was then that Newton became a religious man. Amazing Grace Lyrics: Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound / That saved a wretch like me / I once was lost but now am found / Was blind, but now I see / Twas. One night a violent storm threatened his vessel and Newton allegedly called upon God for protection and mercy. Newton was drafted into the British Navy were he participated in the slave trade.
Rather, his religious convictions came from personal experience. Newton himself did was not raised in a particular religion. “Amazing Grace” is one of the most recognizable songs in the English speaking world. In time, after many attempts to bring legislation forward over twenty years, he is eventually responsible for a bill being passed through Parliament in 1807, which abolishes the slave trade in the British empire forever.“Amazing Grace” was written in 1779 by English poet and clergy man, John Newton. A few days afterward, William and Barbara marry and William, with a renewed hope for success, picks up the fight where he had previously left off, aided by Thornton, Clarkson and James Stephen. Barbara convinces him to keep fighting because if he does not, no one else is capable of doing so. I once was lost but now am found, Was blind, but now I see. Having virtually given up hope, William considers leaving politics forever. Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, That saved a wretch like me. Exhausted, and frustrated that he was unable to change anything in the government, William becomes physically ill (the diagnosis in the film is colitis, most commonly known today as Crohn's disease), which brings the story back to the present day. Beginning as an ambitious and popular Member of Parliament (MP), William was persuaded by his friends William Pitt, Thomas Clarkson, Hannah More and others to take on the dangerous issue of the British slave trade which led him to become highly unpopular in the House of Commons amongst the Members of Parliament representing vested interests of the trade in the cities of London, Bristol and Liverpool.
The story flashes back 15 years to 1782, and William recounts the events that led him to where he is now. Although he at first resists, she convinces him to tell her about his life. William Wilberforce was born in 1759 into a prosperous merchant.
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It is here that he is introduced to his future wife, Barbara Spooner. Inspired by his faith, Wilberforce, subject of the movie Amazing Grace, waged a decades-long battle to end slavery in Britain. The film begins with Wilberforce severely ill and taking a holiday in Bath, Somerset, with his cousin, Henry Thornton.
The synopsis below may give away important plot points. Nevertheless, Wilberforce finds the inspiration in newfound love to rejuvenate the fight with new ideas that would lead to a great victory for social justice. With few allies such as his mentor, John Newton (Albert Finney), a slave ship Captain turned repentant Priest who penned the hymn, "Amazing Grace", future Prime Minister William Pitt (Benedict Cumberbatch), and Olaudah Equiano (Youssou N'Dour), the erudite former slave turned author, Wilberforce fruitlessly fights public indifference and moneyed opposition determined to keep their exploitation safe. However, meeting the charming Barbara Spooner (Romola Garai), Wilberforce finds a soulmate to share the story of his struggle. In 1797, William Wilberforce (Ioan Gruffudd), the great crusader for the British abolition of slavery, is taking a vacation for his health even while he is sicker at heart for his frustrated cause. The idealist William Wilberforce (Ioan Gruffudd) maneuvers his way through Parliament, endeavoring to end the British transatlantic slave trade.