Hi! I'm curious. In the song "Nat Turner" YouTube link, it sounds like in the chorus they're singing, "Nor (or no) not turn her..." instead of "and not turn her." What do you hear?
I don't think I knew Amazing Grace was an anti-slavery song. Definitely didn't know it was written by a former slave ship captain. I only knew that it was linked to the churches in the south, where slaves would attend. Thx!
Thank you for your comment. You have a good ear! I agree with you. I think they're singing "nor". When I included the lyrics above, I was quoting from Callahan's book. I wonder if the group singing the song chose to make that slight change? "Nor" makes more sense, don't you think?
If you haven't already, check out the video (link under Sources above) on Amazing Grace!
Oh good, it's not just my ear. Sometimes it sounds like "nor", others like "no". But I agree it makes more sense with "nor". I wondered, too, if the choral group made the change, or if they had different source material. The word "moverin'" is the same. I've never heard that version before.
I am about to watch the YouTube video. I'd clicked on it to put it in my YouTube library, but had a few things to do first!
If I remember correctly, Mat Callahan put that choral group together. It's a minor point, but maybe he cited the original song in his book, but the group changed it slightly. Don't know. Anyway, a powerful song once you understand what they were really meaning!
Interesting also, that according to the short video, Newton wrote "Amazing Grace" for the working people, and as a reaction to his near death at sea. It later became associated with his anti-slavery beliefs. It looks like a full movie is available on YouTube. I'll check it out next.
Thanks, Louise! I knew the general theme—that music was a form of resistance—but a number of details were new. Singing is such a powerful tool and joy.
Hi! I'm curious. In the song "Nat Turner" YouTube link, it sounds like in the chorus they're singing, "Nor (or no) not turn her..." instead of "and not turn her." What do you hear?
I don't think I knew Amazing Grace was an anti-slavery song. Definitely didn't know it was written by a former slave ship captain. I only knew that it was linked to the churches in the south, where slaves would attend. Thx!
Hi Kari,
Thank you for your comment. You have a good ear! I agree with you. I think they're singing "nor". When I included the lyrics above, I was quoting from Callahan's book. I wonder if the group singing the song chose to make that slight change? "Nor" makes more sense, don't you think?
If you haven't already, check out the video (link under Sources above) on Amazing Grace!
Oh good, it's not just my ear. Sometimes it sounds like "nor", others like "no". But I agree it makes more sense with "nor". I wondered, too, if the choral group made the change, or if they had different source material. The word "moverin'" is the same. I've never heard that version before.
I am about to watch the YouTube video. I'd clicked on it to put it in my YouTube library, but had a few things to do first!
If I remember correctly, Mat Callahan put that choral group together. It's a minor point, but maybe he cited the original song in his book, but the group changed it slightly. Don't know. Anyway, a powerful song once you understand what they were really meaning!
Interesting also, that according to the short video, Newton wrote "Amazing Grace" for the working people, and as a reaction to his near death at sea. It later became associated with his anti-slavery beliefs. It looks like a full movie is available on YouTube. I'll check it out next.
Ah, a little detail I did not remember! Thanks. ;-)
Thanks, Louise! I knew the general theme—that music was a form of resistance—but a number of details were new. Singing is such a powerful tool and joy.