I am very traditional. I love old time traditional songs, for the most part better than the "new" songs of the last decade. Generally they have more depth of meaning.
That's why I am flabbergasted that one of the most traditional songs of all time, Amazing Grace, is (in my opinion) actually improved with the added chorus of My Chains Are Gone. By Chris Tomlin (whom I don't dislike - he wrote How Great Is Our God after all) but is still one of the non-traditionalists of this last decade that I am not terribly fond of. Not the person, just the style.
To get to my point. Amazing Grace is a complete song in itself, a timeless classic. I never dreamed it needed improving or that it could be improved. It actually uses words like wretch - a word missing is songs of our day - and talks about being "blind but now seeing". But to add My Chains Are Gone is just plain genius, I think because it actually enhances the traditional song without changing it.
My husband even agrees with me, and he's even MORE traditionalist than I am.
Amazing Grace My Chains Are Gone is currently my new favourite song. I can sing with pure honesty about a God full of grace saving a wretch like me, setting me free by removing my chains.
His love is unending and His grace is amazing.
That's why I am flabbergasted that one of the most traditional songs of all time, Amazing Grace, is (in my opinion) actually improved with the added chorus of My Chains Are Gone. By Chris Tomlin (whom I don't dislike - he wrote How Great Is Our God after all) but is still one of the non-traditionalists of this last decade that I am not terribly fond of. Not the person, just the style.
To get to my point. Amazing Grace is a complete song in itself, a timeless classic. I never dreamed it needed improving or that it could be improved. It actually uses words like wretch - a word missing is songs of our day - and talks about being "blind but now seeing". But to add My Chains Are Gone is just plain genius, I think because it actually enhances the traditional song without changing it.
My husband even agrees with me, and he's even MORE traditionalist than I am.
Amazing Grace My Chains Are Gone is currently my new favourite song. I can sing with pure honesty about a God full of grace saving a wretch like me, setting me free by removing my chains.
His love is unending and His grace is amazing.
My chains are gone, I've been set free
My God, my Saviour has ransomed me
And like a flood, His mercy reigns
Unending love
Amazing grace
4 comments:
I'm a fan of Chris Tomlin's music and lyrics, and 'Amazing Grace' is one of my favorites!
A lot of the contemporary Christian artists have some very deep and meaningful lyrics. I do side with you, though in the fact that many contemporary church 'worship' songs are lacking depth.
I'm sure you've heard "East to West" by Casting Crowns, but if not follow the link =) the lyrics speak to me every time I hear this song on the radio.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyoVJfADlwo&feature=related
I love Casting Crowns, period. It seems they really strive to speak to the heart with every song they write and their songs definitely have depth.
I'm sure if I think a little more I can come up with a "few" more songs and artists I really like......:)
Thanks for the comment, Rachel.
I too am a bit of a traditionalist. For me it is about the words - do they really bring glory to our Lord. But I love how Chris Tomlin has added to one of my favorite hymns. Now I can sing it both ways. As a matter of fact I am hummin' it right now.
I love this song too. The new verse that Chris Tomlin wrote for this song as well is really beautiful.
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