Amazing Grace (to the tune of Open Arms)

Amazing Grace (to the tune of Open Arms) November 1, 2014

When I went to see the musical “Amazing Grace” recently, I found myself thinking about the multiple tunes to which the words have been sung (the most usual tune associated with the lyrics isn’t the ‘original’ tune). We’ve sung it in church to the tune of “Peaceful Easy Feeling” by the Eagles, with an added chorus. There is also the more familiar version to the tune of “House of the Rising Sun.” And there is also a version by Chris Tomlin that we sing in church often, with an additional chorus, known as “Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone).”

I discovered that a substantial part of the lyrics to “Amazing Grace” fits without too much adaptation to the tune of the song “Open Arms” by Journey, with the “My Chains are Gone” chorus working when sung to the  melody of the chorus of “Open Arms.” And so I thought I should record it to demonstrate. I stuck with the original key for this recording, but obviously if you are going to sing it as a congregation, transposing it lower would probably be appreciated by many members.


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