“Be Thou My Vision” began as an Irish poem, dating back as early as the 8th century. The text was translated by Mary Byrne, a Dublin native and Irish scholar. The hymn as we know it today was published in 1912 by Eleanor Hull. The melody of “Be Thou My Vision” is a traditional, Irish folk tune called “Slane”. Enjoy the lovely voice of Hannah Martin in a rendition of this classic hymn.

“Amazing Grace” is a Christian hymn published in 1779, with words written by the English poet and Anglican clergyman John Newton (1725–1807), performed here by talented artist Madeleine Puschautz. Newton wrote the words from personal experience. He grew up without any particular religious conviction, but his life’s path was formed by a variety of twists and coincidences that were often put into motion by his recalcitrant insubordination. He was pressed (conscripted) into service in the Royal Navy, and after leaving the service, he became involved in the Atlantic slave trade. In 1748, a violent storm battered his vessel off the coast of County Donegal, Ireland, so severely that he called out to God for mercy, a moment that marked his spiritual conversion. He continued his slave trading career until 1754 or 1755, when he ended his seafaring altogether and began studying Christian theology.