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Many
people who know no more Cherokee than "hello" and "thank
you" can sing along with at least one verse of Hymn 87 to the tune of Amazing
Grace. I had to include this song on my CD. The
story of John Newton (1725–1807), the slave ship owner who repented and
became an Anglican pastor, writing the world-renown hymn Amazing Grace in
1779, is universally told, including in a 2006 box-office hit movie. While
attending a "spirituality seminar" in Cherokee, NC years ago, a
Cherokee pastor referred to Amazing Grace as a kind of unofficial
Cherokee national anthem, not only sung in church but sometimes used to open
meetings. Then at a performance by Rita Coolidge (who performs with her sister
and niece as Walela) during a Cherokee Festival, she sang this song. The entire
audience stood and sang along (all 4 verses) while the lights were lowered and
lightning from an approaching storm could be seen over the mountains. I was
thankful I had learned it and could join in. It was a truly memorable
experience. While
everyone knows this song as the Cherokee Amazing Grace, it is not a
translation of John Newton's lyrics. The Cherokee lyrics tell of Christ's second
coming, how he spoke when he rose to tell us that. In the last 2 verses, it
tells how the world will end and the good will live forever in heaven, in peace. Hear
a 1 minute preview of this song at: http://johnnykee.com/mp3_Files/Preview-Hymn87AG.mp3.
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Hymn
87