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TexasProgresive

(12,643 posts)

24. It should be noted that John Newton

Fri Jun 26, 2015, 02:40 PM

Jun 2015

in his early life was "pressed" into service by the Royal Navy. That is in itself a form of slavery. He entered the slave trade as a ship captain. He wrote the 1st verse of "Amazing Grace" when he had a conversion experience during a storm off the coast of Ireland. He continued for a time in the slave trade, but left to study theology and was ordained. He became an abolitionist and lived to see slavery abolished in the UK.

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President singing Amazing Grace acapella. They have all joined in. This is historic...n/t [View all] monmouth4 Jun 2015 OP

I'm SO not religious tishaLA Jun 2015 #1

Yep. nt LiberalElite Jun 2015 #2

Proud of this man... CherokeeDem Jun 2015 #3

1+ nt Snotcicles Jun 2015 #38

Outstanding. n/t Horse with no Name Jun 2015 #4

Yep historical is the very word that I was thinking too nt 99th_Monkey Jun 2015 #5

Dang. I have been multitasking and stopped everything when he started singing. Glimmer of Hope Jun 2015 #6

Its how he started into the song... something not made up... uponit7771 Jun 2015 #7

I almost think it was not planned, just spontaneous. I always say he can't give a better speech monmouth4 Jun 2015 #13

WOW C_U_L8R Jun 2015 #8

Whenever there is a link to video, please post BrotherIvan Jun 2015 #9

CSpan will no doubt repeat the eulogy tonight malaise Jun 2015 #20

I don't have tv so I will look for it on the internet BrotherIvan Jun 2015 #29

They're repeating it right now malaise Jun 2015 #35

Thank you! BrotherIvan Jun 2015 #47

Here's the video of Amazing Grace octoberlib Jun 2015 #39

Thank you! BrotherIvan Jun 2015 #46

I am in absolute shock because of the way he used a hymn I asociate with the malaise Jun 2015 #10

It should be noted that John Newton TexasProgresive Jun 2015 #24

I know malaise Jun 2015 #36

+1 uponit7771 Jun 2015 #40

Thanks, was going to flamingdem Jun 2015 #45

I did not know that. 3catwoman3 Jun 2015 #50

There is a wonderful movie called Amazing Grace LanternWaste Jun 2015 #53

Thank you. I will definitely... 3catwoman3 Jun 2015 #58

This is the version I am recalling. 3catwoman3 Jun 2015 #65

That did it. madamesilverspurs Jun 2015 #11

+1 uponit7771 Jun 2015 #15

Not religious at all but I've got the tears streaming. Beautiful! octoberlib Jun 2015 #12

I'm pretty much not getting anything done today. Starry Messenger Jun 2015 #14

I know right. Quayblue Jun 2015 #19

Wow, just Wow! Chief D Jun 2015 #16

I'm an atheist, but this brought me and my husband to tears. Greybnk48 Jun 2015 #17

Same with me. procon Jun 2015 #26

Why do I feel that was not planned... Rosco T. Jun 2015 #18

I think so too...n/t monmouth4 Jun 2015 #22

He's amazing. I still have tears. n/t livetohike Jun 2015 #21

very inspiring eulogy bigtree Jun 2015 #23

It was stunningly beautiful. nt sufrommich Jun 2015 #25

That was strong flamingdem Jun 2015 #27

Please someone post the video, I only saw half ... this is one of the great ones uponit7771 Jun 2015 #28

cspan video bigtree Jun 2015 #30

Thank you so much uponit7771 Jun 2015 #33

Truly wonderful democrank Jun 2015 #31

I am so proud of my President! leftofcool Jun 2015 #32

Obama is an amazingly graceful man Hekate Jun 2015 #34

Yep malaise Jun 2015 #37

So moving mcar Jun 2015 #41

I don't think it was ohheckyeah Jun 2015 #42

No words too moving DVRacer Jun 2015 #43

I am so grateful for President Obama. oldandhappy Jun 2015 #44

This morning mainstreetonce Jun 2015 #48

A beautiful service... MMTampa Jun 2015 #49

Omg.......from the soul my brother. nc4bo Jun 2015 #51

Mahalo monmouth Cha Jun 2015 #52

Ahh Cha, so good to see you. Wonderful day...n/t monmouth4 Jun 2015 #54

U2, monmouth.. mahalo~ Cha Jun 2015 #62

Inspiring, but he dances better than he sings... Sancho Jun 2015 #55

You're welcome. rocktivity Jun 2015 #56

+1, This is the right place to start this... it was how he started the song... like he thought about uponit7771 Jun 2015 #59

Goose. Bumps. AwakeAtLast Jun 2015 #57

A big K&R BumRushDaShow Jun 2015 #60

President Obama will be remembered as one of the great presidents. tabasco Jun 2015 #61

That was so moving. It brought a tear... myrna minx Jun 2015 #63

Lost and found here, like our country lostnfound Jun 2015 #64