A Delta Air Lines flight attendant shared a stirring rendition of Amazing Grace at Jimmy Carter’s state funeral in Washington, DC earlier today. It sent chills down my spine…
Delta Flight Attendant Phyllis Adams Sings Amazing Grace At Jimmy Carter State Funeral
Amazing Grace, written by John Newton in 1772, is one of the most beloved Christian hymns in the world. The story behind this hymn is also quite moving. It was a favorite hymn of President Carter and in 2017 he heard Phyllis Adams, a Delta flight attendant, sing it at the Carter Center in Atlanta. He asked her on the spot if she would be willing to sing that song at his funeral, and she agreed.
Today, she sang the hymn beautifully (with accompanist Lelia Bolden) during the service honoring the life of President Carter at Washington National Cathedral:
Beautiful. Simply beautiful.
I found Carter’s service very moving and will discuss it in one final post on his life tomorrow.
In the meantime, the words of Amazing Grace:
Amazing grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now I’m found
Was blind, but now I see
‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed
Through many dangers, toils, and snares
We have already come
‘Twas grace that brought us safe thus far
And grace will lead us home
When we’ve been there ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
Than when we’ve first begun
Thank you.
I have wondered how people select which verses of the original Newton hymn to use, and whether or not to use the “when we’ve been there ten thousand years” verse not written by Newton but features in and popularized by Uncle Tom’s Cabin.
We’ll table the eschatology discussion for today! 😉
If she is ever booked at the Met, I will have a front row seat.
Thank you Matthew . She is indeed a beautiful singer and a beautiful person , singing a beautiful hymn .