Here’s another song from the same 2023 New Order Amish youth singing that gave us “When All of God’s Singers Get Home”. This time it’s “Wonderful Grace of Jesus”.
The video is by P. Thomas, who has an extensive collection of live recorded music on his channel, both from Amish and other Christian groups. Like in the previous video, the vantage point is from one of the further-back benches on the boys’ side. So you see a lot of people’s backs, but it’s more about the singing, which comes through beautifully.
Words and music are by a Norwegian-American hymnwriter named Haldor Lillenas, who wrote the hymn in 1918. He was a pastor and wrote over 4,000 songs (quite an output!). This, according to Wikipedia, is probably his best known. I liked this humble backstory:
In 1917, Mrs. Lillenas and I built our first little home in the town of Olivet, Illinois. Upon its completion, we had scarcely any money left to furnish the little home.
Having no piano at the time, and needing an instrument of some kind, I managed to find, at one of the neighbor’s home, a little wheezy organ which I purchased for $5.00.
With the aid of this instrument, a number of my songs, were written which are now popular, including ‘Wonderful Grace of Jesus.’
The song has a lovely refrain, with the lower and higher voices trading lines back and forth, before coming back together. Here are the lyrics:
Wonderful Grace of Jesus – Lyrics
Wonderful grace of Jesus,
Greater than all my sin;
How shall my tongue describe it,
Where shall its praise begin?
Taking away my burden,
Setting my spirit free;
For the wonderful grace of Jesus reaches me.
Wonderful the matchless grace of Jesus,
Deeper than the mighty rolling sea;
Higher than the mountain, sparkling like a fountain,
All-sufficient grace for even me!
Broader than the scope of my transgressions,
Greater far than all my sin and shame;
Oh, magnify the precious Name of Jesus,
Praise His Name!
Image: P. Thomas/YT
Wonderful grace of Jesus,
Reaching to all the lost,
By it I have been pardoned,
Saved to the uttermost;
Chains have been torn asunder,
Giving me liberty;
For the wonderful grace of Jesus reaches me.
Wonderful grace of Jesus,
Reaching the most defiled,
By its transforming power,
Making him God’s dear child;
Purchasing peace and Heaven,
For all eternity;
And the wonderful grace of Jesus reaches me.
Like most Amish youth I’ve heard sing, this group has a real knack for it. Enjoy a listen of this uplifting hymn here:
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Reading music
I have been wondering lately how do the Amish read music and harmonize when they don’t have musical instruments?
BEAUTIFUL !!!!!!