Amazing Grace Lyrics in Large Print: Free Printable PDF
The words of Amazing Grace are here in large print, one sheet at 18, 24 or 28 point. John Newton wrote the words, and they were first published in 1779. They were published before 1930, so they are public domain in the US and free to copy.
| Words by | John Newton, 1779 |
|---|---|
| Music | Traditional American melody New Britain, 1835 |
| Type size | 18, 24 or 28 pt |
| Paper | US Letter, A4 or 11 x 17 in, white or cream |
Amazing Grace in large print: words and download
Amazing Grace
Amazing grace! (how sweet the sound!)
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am 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.
I have already come;
'Tis grace has brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.
The Lord has promised good to me,—
His word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures.
Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess, within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.
The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
The sun forbear to shine;
But God, who call'd me here below,
Will be for ever mine.
Words: John Newton (1779). Music: Traditional American melody NEW BRITAIN (1835). Public domain in the United States: words published 1779 (US, published 1929 or earlier).
The words above are set the way this site sets every song: left aligned, one column, plain type with no italics, and a blank line between stanzas. The sheet has 6 stanzas and 24 lines. Amazing Grace is one of the songs in our large print hymns collection, where you can print it with others in one PDF, and the whole set of texts is listed on the large print prayers and hymns page.
Who wrote Amazing Grace and when?
John Newton was an English clergyman. Wikipedia says he wrote the words from his own experience: he served in the Royal Navy, became involved in the Atlantic slave trade, and in 1748 called on God for mercy during a violent storm at sea. He was ordained in 1764 and became curate of Olney, where he began writing hymns with the poet William Cowper. The hymn was written to illustrate a sermon on New Year's Day 1773, and it appeared in print in Olney Hymns in 1779.
It was not widely sung in England at first, but it spread in the United States during the Second Great Awakening. In 1835 it was joined to the tune New Britain, which most people now know. Our sheet has Newton's six original verses, not the later verse that some books add.
When is Amazing Grace sung?
It is sung across many denominations, at funerals and memorials, and at community occasions. Many people know it by heart, which makes it a good first song for a care-home sing-along. If you are planning a folder of songs for the same occasion, the sheets for It Is Well with My Soul, Just As I Am and What a Friend We Have in Jesus use the same layout, so they sit well together.
How do you print Amazing Grace for a service, a sing-along or a care-home visit?
In our layout tests on US Letter paper, Amazing Grace takes 2 pages at 18 point, 2 at 24 point and 3 at 28 point. On 11 x 17 paper at 24 point it takes 1 page. Eighteen point is the smallest size we offer, because the American Printing House for the Blind (APH) says print below 18 point is not large print, and our page on what large print is explains the reasons for 18, 24 and 28 point.
Count copies before you print. A service needs one for every seat and about five extra; a sing-along needs one for each person so nobody has to lean over a neighbor; a care-home visit needs one for every resident and one for each helper. Choose cream paper with a matte finish, since glossy stock glares under ceiling lights. It is the sheet most people will ask for a second copy of. For a bedside visit, print at 28 point and read one verse at a time, aloud and slowly, letting the person join in.