YOU DECIDE! Best Video Version Ever, Special Easter Edition: HELP find/choose the best video version of “AMAZING GRACE”!
What better song to tie to Easter than “Amazing Grace”? This hymn has been recorded by just about everyone, and you’ll find just about all of them on YouTube (or your favorite music video website). In fact, the collection of more than 3,000 published recorded performances in the (U.S.) Library of Congress “is undoubtedly the largest such collection of a single musical work in the recorded sound collection of the Library of Congress.”
It has become a staple in religious and secular music worlds because of how well it speaks to just about all of us when we are confronting our less-than-perfect lives. And, it has led many to a spiritual place when they have needed it most. And, it has become integrated into many’s Easter worship
Rather than try to recount the remarkable history of this 18th century hymn here, the video I will open this “contest”/discussion with does it for us: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfoCSmw-EaE&feature=PlayList&p=D91388F6288ACF07&playnext_from=PL&playnext=1&index=1
No doubt, we have all had versions of this song that have effected us. This is the place to share those versions, and vote for ones posted by others. The one gathering the most votes over the next five days will be dubbed “Best Video Version Ever” although the other nominated versions will share the spotlight here. (Please feel free to discuss the song and the different versions.)
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"BEST VIDEO VERSION EVER" is a regular contest on Mahalo. Winners and other selected nominees will be featured on Mahalo and also on our channel at You Tube. Check it out! BVVE will attempt to feature songs from different genres, different eras, different artists. If you have an idea for a song that would be ideal for BVVE - or have other feedback - please DQ @doubleminaz! Thanks--mm
Olney Hymnal, by Newton:
More info, Library of Congress: http://memory.loc.gov/diglib/ihas/html/grace/grace-about.html
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.
T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed.
Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
'Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far
and Grace will lead me home.
The Lord has promised good to me.
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.
Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.
When we've been here ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun.
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we've first begun.
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.
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M$8 Answers
An artist by the name of Ani Difranco does the greatest version of "Amazing Grace" I have ever heard and I would know because it did save a wretch like me .."But for the Grace of God go I" If you have never heard this version take a listen, it will be well worth the time.
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M$
There are thousands of fantastic renditions of the song and a great many I enjoy...however
For me it has a very special place in my heart and mind, due to an event which softened my heart forever and strengthened my own personal spiritual connection with Creator.
This event occurred when my wife, who is a traditional buckskin dancer of the Southern Cherokee style, donned her full regalia and entered the circle with our first grandchild on her first Easter and danced with incredible joy and thanksgivings to Creator for the gift of our beautiful Granddaughter.
They danced this prayer together with great power to the song Amazing Grace as it was drummed and sang in the Cherokee tongue by the Coolidge sisters.
I am not by nature a man who shows his emotions easily, but that day, and in that moment, I cried with great joy and pride as I felt the powerful presense of Creator's grace shine upon that dance circle embracing my wife and granddaughter.
It tears me up now as I write this answer to envision that day again and to feel the powerful love I have for this beautiful woman who, some 40 years ago jumped the broom with this humble man, and chose to share our lives together.
Our Granddaughter follows her grandmother's path and continues to dance in the circle as she has grown into a young woman.
Its a beautiful thing!
My choice, therefore, as the best video of Amazing Grace, I choose this version sang by Walela in the tongue of the Cherokee.
Walela
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvYIjFtPQEk
(A picture of my wife in regalia taken with the last surviving Comanche code-talker of WWII, Charles Chibitty (November 20, 1921 – July 20, 2005)
The pictures of my wife and granddaughter dancing I keep for myself.
If a person really wants to research this time honored hymn then the Library of Congress has the most complete collection of recordings.
-quote-
The Chasanoff/Elozua "Amazing Grace" Collection at the Library of Congress comprises more than 3000 published recorded performances of the hymn "Amazing Grace" by different individual musicians or musical ensembles. The collection, compiled by Allan Chasanoff and Raymon Elozua, is undoubtedly the largest such collection of a single musical work in the recorded sound collection of the Library of Congress.
--end quote--
http://lcweb2.loc.gov/diglib/ihas/html/grace/grace-home.html
"ni-ga-da dv-na-da-du-da-lv di-ne-tla-na"
(roughly translated from the cherokee tongue this means,
"We are all Related in Creation")
~~~Happy Easter to ALL my Mahalo Brothers and Sisters~~~
~~~May you share the Joy, the Love, and the Grace that Creator has gifted to us ALL.
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
That and being a song of celebration, I don't feel it should sound like a friggin funeral march, it's meant to be happy and happy to me is fast!
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
I picture hundreds of thousands of the redeemed singing this together one day as a giant choir, but for now, I feel it is best sung by one man who knows it surely applies to him, one who certainly knows he was truly lost and hopeless before God's grace found him and made all the difference. That is why I like this version so much. It reminds me of how I experience this song, as a personal tribute to God's grace, and a reminder to myself of where I was, and would still be, without Him.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5-XmbrJBb4
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M$
I hate youtube's new design...
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M$
I will go with Tori Amos singing Amazing Grace.
Only she can belt it out the way I like it!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zl80H-9mI7k
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
Thanks, Budda! For the personal comments and the great version! We are truly fortunate that you are part of the core of Mahalo!