Phipps is FANTASTIC, and the history education regarding the fact that all negro spirituals are based on the just the black notes, along with the history of the great hymm "Amazing Grace" (great recent movie by same name about Wilberforce and John Newton in England, long but finally successful battle to outlaw slavery in the British Empire.
Thanks! I'm not a religious man but a very spiritual one. This hymn has always brought me to tears but to understand its history adds another dimension. Phipps' rendition is beautiful.
It's not only blessing to hear this wondderful song of God's amazing grace but to know the truth behind it. The unmerited unearned grace God's Riches At Christ Expense that he purchased for sinners on the cross.
Thanks Rick this was beautiful. And I wanted to remind you that we talked late last year because my Grandmothers msiden name was Ianello fron Caltinesetta Serradefalco Sicily.
Just when you think you know everything~!! Thank you so much for posting something so worthwhile. There is something good to be said for the internet afterall. Blessings, mary from Edmonton Canada
This was totally awesome...God always seem to have a way of linking us together by word of knowledge, His infinite wisdom, and His "Amazing Grace"...We as a human race must vie to seek His face and let Him reveal to us just how real He is, Amen!...His Word says in 2Tim2:15, that we must study to show ourselves approved of God, rightly dividing the word of truth...Praise God for the study of Wintley Phipps and may we all take it to heart...
AMEN and AMEN! I am a born again Christian and I look forward to meeting Brother Phipps in Heaven one day. This brought tears to my eyes and touched my heart like it hasn't been in a long time. Jesus Christ died on the cross and shed His blood to pay for the sins of EVERYONE, no matter what color they are.
That was really awesome. We all get those e-mail forwards with jokes in them and such and then we get the ones that are serious. I got this in a forward from my grandma and she told me she cried. I don't usually get THAT emotional over one of the religious forwards that I get, but I was truly touched by this one. God bless.
It so happens to be that I was teaching my "cuban" husband about saints. I know about the word of GOD. I was explaining to him that the Lord almighty is the only one to praise. He is the only one who makes miracles happen. A lot of the cuban community praise "Santa Barbara" aka Chango. I researched her history. She was a british woman who was against slavery and I have been expressing this to my husband and now he is understanding how wonderfull all those people who faught against slavery were and are. But they are not saints. There is only one saint. God! When I saw this I felt touched by him. I feel as if he sent me this to know that he was using me to make others understand him and not be so ignorant. God bless every one. Amen... Libia Veronica Ospina.
Thank you and continue this great work. I was touched by this blog and I found this to a great learning experience. I'm going to pass this along to others.
Such touching words and performance......My favorite spiritual song and never performed more beautifully. That truly blessed my heart and brought tears to my eyes. I enjoyed it so much! God Bless you from Georgia : )
Beautiful! God bless W. Phipps for his wonderful voice and sharing on the Bill Gaither concerts. And God bless you for creating the website blog and sharing this information with everyone.
Oom! Oom! Oom! There's nothing else to say. That was too powerful! Now is the time more than ever for Christians to see and seize every human connection, for the sake of unity and for the glory of Christ, (John 17:20-24)no matter what!
Having studied music history and composition for over 20 years, allow me to clear up a small indecretion. Yes he uses the black keys, yes the pentatonic scale, to demonstrate the tune, however far more tunes by sheer number have been written in the Scottish and ENGLISH folk genre (bagpipes)using that scale. The scale can also be found in Asian music, and more locally and longer than US slaves, the music of native Americans. Is it divine intervention, no, for those five notes are the easiest to create naturally,see Pythagoras.
I really like all the video you have posted. They have touch my heart like noting else has in al wile. I really like the way you found all the artest that have sang the song. Keep Up The Good Work and God Bless You
to drsax:I applaud your learned assesment of this piece.But I also feel it necessesary to point out that neither the scottish,english,asian,or native american renditions were offered lying in their own excrement,surrounded by the dead and dying in the belly of a slave scow!
Mr. Phipps sang "Amazing Grace" beautifully and I highly recommend the movie titled the same depicting William Wilburforce. However, the tune was not associated with the lyrics written by John Newton until some 60 years later. The tune is believed to be Irish or Scotch in origin.
I have sung with Wintley Phipps in person. He is an amazing man blessed with a wondrous voice. He gives such a moving witness to the blessings of our most awesome God. Thanks for this post. It brings back the memory of my opportunity to sing with him as if it were just yesterday.
Let us keep the hope alive of all people, no matter the color (no such thing as race, it is just a social constraint to keep groups of people imprisoned) or culture. This man is doing a wonderful job. It is not about the song, but more about the history behind the words. I thank God for this young man and his historical models. Melissa SUNY Brockport
One thing must be pointed out. As far as the musical notes are concerned, had the author Amazing Grace not composed the words, one could listen to the notes and know nothing. No matter how beautiful the notes may seem. in John 6:63 Jesus said: The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life. May we always remember, no matter how beautiful and moving mechanical music may be the words are what give it meaning. Amazing Grace sounds more real when used in congregational singing. We are instructed in Col 3:16 in the New Testament : Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. How sad to see so few people unwilling to sing in congregational singing because they are ashamed of the sound of their own voice. This should not be. God did not instruct us to sing beautifully to the ears of man, rather God has command his church to sing.
HALLELUJAH!!! This is absolutely incredible, inspiring, and most of all anointed! Every child, of every color, needs to be blessed by this clip. It shows us what GOD can and will do when we yield ourselves to being His children in love and grace.
Absolutely Incredible. I don't know that I can truly find words to describe it. I will be looking for more information about W. Phipps. I can't thank you enough for sharing this awesome and inspiring video! God bless you!
Karangreg says: Absolutely fantastic !! Not only does the man THINK; and nobody else thought about educating prisoner's children so that they couldn't spend all their time on the streets learning what they shouldn't; but he also TEACHES; How many people know the story about the black notes? There can't be many of them; and he also SINGS; amazing grace is a song I've always loved and has always brought tears to my eyes, but when sung by B. Phipps, especially after the explanation he gave, you can actually imagine the slaves in the hold of the ship, wailing for their lost lives. Thank you for letting us see and hear this.
I was really thrilled at this piece of art. I had never heard Amazing Grace song so beautifully. It was indeed touching and tearful. May God continue to bless Mr. Phipp with such an elegant voice. The story behind "Amazing Grace" should a lesson to all regardless of race, creed or nationally.
That was beautiful. Let's not take away from the blessing that is in this by dissecting where, how and when...Let's just be blessed. This has passed our way for a reason. Thank you for sharing. It came right on time!
I thank you for this. Saved or not..this spiritual will touch should touch your spirit. Ive never heard of this man but will seek out more about him..his voice is powerful! Also...Mahalia Jackson's version is timeless.
How awesome it is to see what God can do through people! This man who had worked with slavery, through the awe of God's precious forgiving grace, wrote a song that has inspired christian hearts even to the present day and most likely for years to come. Isn't it awesome to know God loves you and protects you no matter how severly you sin against him. Praise God and thanks for this video. One can see the light of God in Phipps smile!
I have lived 52 years on this Earth, and loved these songs for all of those years that I can remember. I learned more about them in those few minutes today than I have learned in the last 50+ years. Thank you so much for sharing this. It was great!
Absolutely divine! Someone forwarded this to me and I was hesitant to click thru, but I am thrilled that I did. Knowledge of our past, even when it is painful, does not have to divide us...but rather it can be the bridge for each of us to feel God's love for us all. We should never be afraid of the Sankofa. THANK YOU!!!!
Thank you so much for this, i heard this song many songs but i never gave it much thought of what it means, i just wanted to thank you and hope i'll meet u in heaven one day. AMEN!!!!!
It's now January 17, 2008 & I've juar a seen & heard "just the black notes" by Wintlley Phipps for the first time. I found it very impressive and moving. I had never seen any of your postings before and truelly enjoyed this & hope to receive more in the future. Thank you for putting out these blogs. Ruth Frisbie
The most famous of all Christian songs, as it transends race, denomination, and time, giving glory to only God and his saving grace. It was never done better than Phipps interpretation; the story frees us from our prejudices.
This is my 2nd effort as the 1st apparently flew up to Heaven before I was quite finished. I just want to say hallelujah to all involved and especially to Mr Phipps. His voice is gloriously suited for the lesson he offered to us in this clip. The humming was marvelous and is a style that ought to be used more often. Thank you Lord for creating such beauty!
Wow, I've heard it sung many times by many people, but NEVER like this. His voice and this song together fills my soul with the Holy Spirit and give me goose bumps!up. Truly the most beautiful, gifted voice I've ever heard.
Great singing ... but he's off on his facts. Newton never sung Amazing Grace to the tune we know today.
Amazing Grace was first published in 1779. It was first linked to the tune "New Britain" in 1835 - 56 years later, and 28 years after Newton's death.
And that tune was just one of many for another century. The song only became famous when it hit the pop charts in the 1960s. (See this link for more details.)
My favourite version is the Blind Boys of Alabama singing it to the tune of House of the Rising Sun. Powerful!
I'm amazed at how much traffic this post has received. Some have pointed out problems related to the lyrics connected to the tune.
For me, since I sing nothing like Phipps, I like it to the Eagle's "Peaceful Easy Feeling". I heard it once to the Theme Song from Gilligan's Island but I didn't like that.
Rick, I believe it has been said so greatly but here it is again... Thank you, thank you and passionately thank you for putting this out there. The emotion and the passion in which is was tastefully done speaks when the soulful and heartfelt melody hits anyone who has a soul.
I Love the passion of Christ and any one who feels him moving!
What a voice and personality! I'm glad he's on our side (Christianity). Thanks for posting this on your blog and bringing it to the web. We are all slaves, no matter what color our skin, until we accept the Amazing Grace offered by Christ. We are slaves of destruction and death until we walk in the light of life and the resurrection of Jesus. We should thank the slaves for showing us what it's like to live in the darkness of our souls and spirits. God gives us a clear illustration of that kind of slavery through their lives. And He gives us a clear illustration of what it's like to live in the light with that beautiful voice of Wintley Phipps who showed us both sides of the matter. Amazing Grace is a song of thanksgiving if it is anything. And Phipps does it best.
I'm so glad I was given to chance to see and hear all of these versions of such a great song. I was taught a long time ago why the song came about, but it's always good to be remind of information of such importance to us all. They say you learn something new every day and the wonderful value that the black notes hold will remain in my heart. Continue spreading the good works of God's children. Thank you so much Auntie for sending this to me. SCH
Rick was associate pastor of the Vineyard in Cape Girardeau, MO. He is still missed. Everything ground to a halt after he left and we floundered. The church is a shell of its former self.
WOW! I've always loved this song but this gives me an even deepere appreciation for the beauty of the melody as well as the words and the Awesome God Who inspired them.
I'm still a painoist at 59 still going strong for 45yrs, and music always amazes and blesses me. Elevation of any music is a oracle that is present. The most Angelic verison for me is by Ms. Aretha Franklin "Amazing Grace" truly genius. Thank you Sir for sharing the love, most enjoyable!
What can I say, WOW, one more thank you for posting this. Talk about Amazing Grace - Mr Phipps sure has a lot. I also saw a mention that your Grandmother was from Caltanesetta, I lived somewhat close to there for 6 years. Once again thanks for this posting. Judith
GOD IS GREAT ALL THE TIME AMEN, VERY AMAZING VOICE THAT GOD CREATED IN PEOPLE, AND VERY HIGHLY ANOITED VOICE THAT GIVE YOU GREATLY CHILLS IN YOUR SOUL. KEEP THE FAITH IN CHRIST JESUS, HE NOT DONE WITH US YET! d. moore
AMEN, GLORY HALLELUJA,I'M SITTING HERE, TRYING TO TYPE THRU MY TEARS, WHAT A WONDERFUL THING TO RECEIVE THE MOMENT I SIT DOWN TO CHECK MY E-MAILS, I WILL NEVER LOOK AT THE SONG "AMAZING GRACE" THE SAME EVER AGAIN...GOD BLESS YOU MR. PHIPPS, MAY GOD CONTINUE TO USE YOU....LADY DANITA WILSON
I rarely open these videos, Rick, because I have "dial-up" but something told me this would be worth the wait and it was. What drew me was your photo which did not match the video content. Not that I'm judging you, but...big cigar...lots of facial hair...not what I expected at all. Pleasant surprise.
Thank you WOW is not really the word for how this made me feel.... It truly is Amazing Grace ---- Thank you Jesus, and most importantly thank you Heavenly father for allowing me to see and hear such beautiful work
What an incredible, powerful and uplifting message. Thank you for choosing to follow God's plan in sharing this with millions of people around the world!!!!
I thank all those responsible for bringing this to my soul, as faith seems to fade in deeds and words from the mothers of mankind, and the men of leadership. I am strengthened by this wisdom and continued proof of God's love for us all. I pray many more souls like Mr. Ianniello will use their means to enlighten and change lives, spiritual souls, and eternal destinations. The outcome is still up to us.
Anyone who is not moved by this, must surely be made of stone.
Thank you for presenting this historical piece on the origin of Black Gospel and Spiritual Music. And, most especially for reminding us of an era in our past in which a most egregious stain was allowed to be perpetrated and inflicted upon one race by another in the name of sheer greed, mendacity, and ignorance.
In the words of two men of letters, whom I hold most dear, from the 20th Century: Simon Wiesenthal, and Harold Weisberg, "NEVER AGAIN."
Thank you, Rick for presenting this remarkable time spot. And, most of all, my thanks to you, Mr. Phipps.
I POST THIS COMMENT TO; JAMES & RUTH SPAULDING MY DEAR FRIENDS. WITH MR. PHIPPS WORDS AND LOVE FOR ALL PEOPLE TO HEAR AND FEEL THE MEANING WITHIN "AMAZING GRACE", AND SO IS THE WAY OF OUR FRIENDSHIP.
Fantastic clip. A great music education for all. Just in case you're wondering, almost ALL folk musics use that same pentatonic scale (at least to some extent). Try playing appalachian tunes, chinese tunes, native-american tunes, and others all on the black keys. After you're done with that, try your favorite rock and pop tunes--pentatonic. as are most rock guitar solos. Then think about how much beautiful, powerful, and otherwise amazing music has been made with just 5 notes.
I heard simply amazing but not to this scale and nor did it touch me like this yet back then when heard and it's great to feel that way again,with this lesson he gave and the song he sang, it was something very moving to recall the era of slaves of yesterday yet today there are simillar ocurences even now in modern day life as we walk asleep... TAM
WOW. What an amazing gift this man has. This video has moved me and has given me an insight to one of my favorite songs to sing. Thank you I will never sing it again with out thinking of this never. Thank you thank you thank you. Kathleen from B.C. Canada
My husband and I just finished watching the movie "AMAZING GRACE" and less than one half hour I received this e-mail. Coincedence? I think not! I have always loved this piece of music, how wonderful to know the story behind the words and now to know the history of the music. Mr Phipps has an amazing gift. May GOD bless him and all of us and guide us in our search for peace and love for our fellow men. Christine
Wowwwwwwwwwwwww, I had no intention of opening this and once I did and figured it was "churchy" I "knew" it cut it off. But when he began to speak I was somehow drawn in. When he sang, oh my gosh.... Just amazing. I'd never liked the song or saw what everyone who heard it made such a big fuss about. But his voice is amazing, his message powerful and this blog, worth forwading to everyone.
Thanks for poting it Rick and thanks for sendig it Mr & Mrs P.
If THIS does not move you, then get an appointment with a doctor because someone did a transfusion on your body and exchanged your blood for ice water, and then plan a long vacation in the deep south as quickly as possible. You must develop an inner southern heritage, and quick! I am not kidding here!
This is actually a little silly. It's nice and all, but as the man said, Newton didn't write the melody to Amazing Grace...the "New Britain" melody to which it is set has a copyright date of 1835, and Newton died in 1807. Also, as another commenter said, the pentatonic scale is found all over the world in folk music...and in folk music that deals with subject material from love and betrayal to sacred matters to lullabies to comedy to lewd/bawdy songs to...well, you name it. His comment about "do re mi fa so la ti do" is also slightly misguided, since, if one leaves out "fa" and "ti", one winds up with the pentatonic scale anyway...and when these tunes are harmonized (as Amazing Grace nearly always is), "fa" and "ti" will appear in the harmony. And, to top it off, that sequence of intervals that is formed by the "black notes" can be formed from ANY note on the piano, regardless of color. Sorry, guys, but this is really just your typical bit of urban myth and sentimentality.
"Let the church say 'amen'". Did you notice that the 5 Blind Boys' tune was also pentatonic? You can hear still another tune with these words on the wonderful history of the hymn: Amazing Grace with Bill Moyers, on video from PBS.
Mr. Phipps is absolutely right! Bond or free, black or white, we are all made whole through the wondrous blood of our loving Savior Jesus Christ. He binds us all together as His children if we love, trust, obey, and accept Him as our Personal Lord and Savior! I am a Music Teacher at church and a Literacy Coach in a Middle School in North Carolina and I "PREACH" this to our children every chance I get....yes....in a public school! AMEN! Praise the Lord! Thank you Jesus!!!!!!!!!
Phipps's words and intent are great. However, it was ruined for me when he "churched it up." He said he would perform the song like Newton would have heard it, but then used a really cheesy synth track and multiple key changes-- only for dramatic effect.
Half the posts on this board are repetitive church jargon and copied phrases. Why is it that Christians feel like they have to use all this jargon?
Why not use your own creativity and original words to express your own unique feelings and ideas?
last anonymous ... I agree with you but I also find too many Christians anxious to correct others (I'm not saying that is the case with you). Since I tend to be that way, I tried to allow these folks space to enjoy what they got from this in their own way rather than instruct them on my way.
Wow! I just received the link to this page and I am so very grateful! I appreciate your making this video available for those of us who had never heard of Mr. Phipps. He is truly blessed and shares that blessing with the rest of us. I will pass it on as well.
Rick, My little sister(now 63 years old) and I still find time when we are together to sing Amazing Grace in harmony. Your posting brought tears to my eyes and even now as I write to thank you. There are family and friend with whom I will share this. Blessings, Carol
This was amazing. I never knew this about the slave scale or the black keys of the piano. My Grandmother said you never get to old to learn, and you should learn something new everyday. Thanks for an uplifting start to my day.
I was sent this message by a friend and it was the most important thing I heard all day. God Bless !!!! The person who posted this it will be an inspiration to all who hear it. Be a witness for GOD
Rick: Amazing Grace will never be he same for me since this video came into my life. I will always hear the slaves as they "pull" through the water in a peril for freedom.
Just another radical black guy preaching about black unity. Wiat, this guy actually talks about unity in christ, black or otherwise. A welcomed view in light of some of our political figures views...
Hi Rick! Thanks for this. It's a powerful clip, and a powerful song, beautifully presented. Great reading the blog as well. Thanks to all for your musings and comments.
I appreciate the few corrections of Mr. Phipps' musical and other historical comments. While the "black" notes appear not to be specific to African culture, I am heartened to know how universal those five notes are. Ultimately, I guess I really don't care as much about the facts as I applaud this strong black male taking a huge opportunity to move so mightily a primarily white and apparently middle class audience in the theatre, and to continue to move the spirit of the majority of people who experience this clip through your blog. Any time we can have thoughtful conversations about God and oppression and unity and His saving grace is all good. Blessings, Heidi Yoakum
Hallelujah!! Hallelujah!! Thank you for posting this! So many lessons in less than 9 minutes. Amazing Grace will never be the same to me!! To God be the Glory! Ceecee
My favorite song of all time. I will never stop sobbing when I hear it. This moved me especially b/c of the video history. I would love to have a complete version of Phipps singing and giving praise with his version of Amazing Grace. Is there anywhere I can get that.
Thank you for the comfort I received from this video.
What a wonderful rendition - Mr. Phipps is an amazing talent, both musically and in sharing the Word. I am ordering everything he has on any kind of media available.
To Ms. Greene who attempted to say that the slaves couldn't have POSSIBLY sang from only the black notes because pianos had not yet been invented - WOW! Surely you must know that music had to have existed before there were such things as inanimate instruments. Surely God didn't create pianos before there was music. What about the music of the wind blowing, or the waves of water lapping the shores, or a child's laughter, or the music that was caused by God's voice calling the very world into existence? Certainly, I wasn't there, but I believe in a God that is so omniscient that it is not possible for ANYTHING to be left out of His Plan when he created the world. I believe that everything we are to know and will know is already in place, and that God reveals these things to us in His time -- we, in our finite understanding, call them discoveries. God laughs because He knows He has just let us peek into another package, if you will, under the magnificent Christmas Tree of His wonders. He can't let us know everything at once - we, in our present state, wouldn't be able to handle it.
Music is my avocation and I remember learning my scales as a little girl on a cardboard replica of a piano keyboard. It wasn't a piano, but I learned my scales and the music anyway. I also learned in music theory that any note - black or white - can be a sharp or flat, depending on the intention of the composer.
Sometimes we get so caught up in 'historical correctness' that we miss the Message. Developing a Spiritual Ear serves us a lot better than listening for supposed facts that have nothing to do with the lesson that is to be learned.
My prayer is that we all will learn to listen more often with a "Spiritual Ear," for sometimes it, too, needs tuning.
I wonder if this fellow ever wondered how those notes happened to find their way on the piano? The pentatonic scale was used in traditional Celtic music oh for maybe 10,000 years prior to the "Ole Negro Spiritual". Celtic music is what African slaves heard when they were brought here. Amazing Grace was not derived from from "the black notes on the piano" but from the Scottish, Irish and Welsh musical heritage.
While he seems like a nice fellow, it reminds me of a two year old demanding something to be true just because he wants it to be true. Two year olds, thank God, grow up but that's because we expect them to grow up and it follows human childhood development. Two year olds throw fits when challenged with reality. Let's just send him a copy of the "Emperor's New Clothes" written by Hans Christian Anderson.
I guess the question is: Is the truth and the value of this gentleman worth confronting this distortion?
Both this gentleman and the truth are very valuable and ought to be treated accordingly.
Actually, the fact that many negro spirituals just use the pentatonic scale is mere coincidence. The Pentatonic scale is widely used all over the Earth in a wide variety of cultures. (Guess what kind of scale Scottish bagpipes play, for instance.) This particular melody was probably written by a Scotsman or Irishmanin the early 19th century LONG AFTER JOHN NEWTON HAD DIED. Sorry to be a "spoiler" but facts are facts.
I HATE NEGATIVE PEOPLE THAT HAVE TO FIND SOMETHING TO KILL THE SPIRIT. WHO CARES IF THE MELODY IS FROM A NEGRO SPIRITUAL. GOD KNOWS AND THAT'S ALL THAT IS IMPORTANT. I AM 86 YEARS OF AGE AND SICK OF KNOW IT ALLS. I FOUGHT IN SEVERALL WARS STARTING IN CHINA/BURMA/INDIA THEATER WORLD WAR II. I HEARD AMAZING GRACE AND MANY VERSIONS OF IT'S BACKGROUND AND AS I SAID, THE KNOW IT ALLS ARE NOT SO SMART, "ONLY GOD KNOWS."
that was great on the black notes i was told that bby my dad in 1955 but the first time i seen it like that keep on doing it people. RL, SHAMAH NEYW YORK, NY
Beverly in Frisco, you're an idiot..lol. Let's recap on your comment to Ms Greene about pianos not even existing around the newton times.
"Surely God didn't create pianos before there was music. What about the music of the wind blowing, or the waves of water lapping the shores, or a child's laughter, or the music that was caused by God's voice calling the very world into existence? Certainly, I wasn't there, but I believe in a God that is so omniscient that it is not possible for ANYTHING to be left out of His Plan when he created the world. I believe that everything we are to know and will know is already in place, and that God reveals these things to us in His time"
Yep, first ridicule ms green, and give an answer that doesn't prove a single thing against her? well done, what does a childs laughter have to do with pianos historically? and furthermore music at all, if you think a childs laughter is a form of music you've lost the plot, you're basically saying any sound in the world is the sound of music, so me farting is the sound of music? the sound someone being stabbed is music? The sound of someone being burnt alive is music?. I'd also like to add you're an idiot because of this "and that God reveals these things to us in His time" Let's have a look at the population on earth, and since your a big spiritual believer, you can take into account the animals, the dead and what ever is in the universe. Now, in your mind you imagine god as a being with a plan, as in time is constructed around him, for instance to have a plan he must have time to do so? to decide? Okay, go back to the population and everything else i said involved, you really believe god, a being of consideration and planning is taking the time to reveal his plans to you?...get real, if that was the case the essence of time would find god 2937398575 years behind. I'm not a big believer as you can tell, but you have to word your shit a bit better before i become one. There might be a god, but he doesn't plan....he doesn't control you, that's just an easy way of escaping reality, it was "gods will" get real, it was you. Everything you do is from you, not god. You remind me of the ignorant pope. When asked "how come the bible doesn't mention anything about the dinosaurs (which are evidently true). His response was "Gods test of faith"
.....Yeh easy to fall back on the bigfella upstairs isn't it. Gods test of faith, Gods decision, God this, God that. Grow up and take some control would you, You're here for one reason and one reason only, to live. yep thats it, just to live. theres no big plan for you, theres no reign of luck coming your way. If god planned everything, why do thousands of babies die every day? They didn't even get a chance to walk or talk but your telling me gods big plan comes to us all, yep, okay so god just wastes some time making plans to kill babies? exactly your an idiot, ill believe in god to extent of existence, but for big plans, fate and destiny? i think its time to accept reality and start doing things for yourself, god wont hand it to you on a platter because of your "faith"
I wish i could get the whole world in a survey to pray for something as a whole, i mean if the whole world does it for ever until the day they die, you'd think god would do it right? I mean you pray to god for health, saving loved ones, success. You even thank him at your dinner table for the food provided. I'm sorry, but he didn't provide it, "oh but he created it!" yes, but he didn't provide YOU with it, he didn't hand it down, work your shifts and bleed your blood to get it. How come no one sits around thanking Thomas Edison for creating the light bulb? god didn't give us that, yeah he gave us "light" with the sun, no light bulb or a power plant to run our electricity, i bet you don't live in the jungle eating fruits and living in gods only creation...no you live in this world, full of inventions. And don't tell me it was gods will for them to invent those things, half of them weren't even religious. Why would he choose someone not religious? test of faith? The fact is you rely on god for everything, the way you live to the way you think. They say children are smarter then us adults because they are free minded and haven't been influenced. I agree totally, religion hasn't distorted their mind yet, unlike yours it seems.
Anyway enough said,I could go on for days and go right back to the beginning ripping the bible apart piece by piece, but i have a beer going warm.
I hope you can take something from this and start actually living a life where you can thank yourself for what you've done and achieved, not god.
Your video singing Amazing Grace was absolutely awesome; however, it needs correcting. You talk about John Newton having been the Captain of a slave ship prior to writing the hymn, but you fail to say that he was bringing slaves from Africa to ENGLAND -- not America. If you don't want to look up the history, watch the movie "Amazing Grace" about William Penn, Wilburforce, and John Newton. You'll learn something. Again, I loved your rendition of Amazing Grace; bellieve I've seen you sing it on The Hour of Power at the Crystal Cathedral in Calif., also. Again, AWESOME & INSPPIRING!
Your video singing Amazing Grace was absolutely awesome; however, it needs correcting. You talk about John Newton having been the Captain of a slave ship prior to writing the hymn, but you fail to say that he was bringing slaves from Africa to ENGLAND -- not America. If you don't want to look up the history, watch the movie "Amazing Grace" about William Penn, Wilburforce, and John Newton. You'll learn something. Again, I loved your rendition of Amazing Grace; bellieve I've seen you sing it on The Hour of Power at the Crystal Cathedral in Calif., also. Again, AWESOME & INSPPIRING!
"Thank you so much for such a rich history and for sharing the Gospel Message of Jesus Christ. I have heard it before, forwarded it to many, saved it and found it again tonight. Rick you are amazing, thank you again and again for "Just the Black Notes"
Wow! Incredible! Thanks for posting this video. It really touched us and made our day!
ReplyDeleteThe LeMunyon's
Phipps is FANTASTIC, and the history education regarding the fact that all negro spirituals are based on the just the black notes, along with the history of the great hymm "Amazing Grace" (great recent movie by same name about Wilberforce and John Newton in England, long but finally successful battle to outlaw slavery in the British Empire.
ReplyDeleteThanks! I'm not a religious man but a very spiritual one. This hymn has always brought me to tears but to understand its history adds another dimension. Phipps' rendition is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteIt's not only blessing to hear this wondderful song of God's amazing grace but to know the truth behind it. The unmerited unearned grace God's Riches At Christ Expense that he purchased for sinners on the cross.
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting this.
Thanks Rick this was beautiful. And I wanted to remind you that we talked late last year because my Grandmothers msiden name was Ianello fron Caltinesetta Serradefalco Sicily.
ReplyDeleteGOD... HE sure does love us all BEST thru others... How beautiful this is... Amen.
ReplyDeletePRAISE GOD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW!! I AM SO HAPPY TO RECEIVE THIS WONDER LESSON..
ReplyDeleteThis was Awesome. It is my daughters favorite song to sing and she is 8. We are a very spiritual family. Thank you and GOD Bless.
ReplyDeleteJust when you think you know everything~!! Thank you so much for posting something so worthwhile. There is something good to be said for the internet afterall. Blessings, mary from Edmonton Canada
ReplyDeleteThis was soooo awesome. Thank you...I needed to hear this...even though I've heard it many times...nothing touched me like hearing this one.
ReplyDeleteThis was totally awesome...God always seem to have a way of linking us together by word of knowledge, His infinite wisdom, and His "Amazing Grace"...We as a human race must vie to seek His face and let Him reveal to us just how real He is, Amen!...His Word says in 2Tim2:15, that we must study to show ourselves approved of God, rightly dividing the word of truth...Praise God for the study of Wintley Phipps and may we all take it to heart...
ReplyDeleteAMEN and AMEN! I am a born again Christian and I look forward to meeting Brother Phipps in Heaven one day. This brought tears to my eyes and touched my heart like it hasn't been in a long time. Jesus Christ died on the cross and shed His blood to pay for the sins of EVERYONE, no matter what color they are.
ReplyDeleteI do not believe I have ever heard
ReplyDeleteAmazing Grace sung more beautifully
than this by Wintley Phipps. Praise
God for giving him such a wonderful
voice.
That was really awesome. We all get those e-mail forwards with jokes in them and such and then we get the ones that are serious. I got this in a forward from my grandma and she told me she cried. I don't usually get THAT emotional over one of the religious forwards that I get, but I was truly touched by this one. God bless.
ReplyDeleteIt so happens to be that I was teaching my "cuban" husband about saints. I know about the word of GOD. I was explaining to him that the Lord almighty is the only one to praise. He is the only one who makes miracles happen. A lot of the cuban community praise "Santa Barbara" aka Chango. I researched her history. She was a british woman who was against slavery and I have been expressing this to my husband and now he is understanding how wonderfull all those people who faught against slavery were and are. But they are not saints. There is only one saint. God! When I saw this I felt touched by him. I feel as if he sent me this to know that he was using me to make others understand him and not be so ignorant. God bless every one. Amen... Libia Veronica Ospina.
ReplyDeleteAMEN!!
ReplyDeleteThank you and continue this great work. I was touched by this blog and I found this to a great learning experience. I'm going to pass this along to others.
ReplyDeleteGOD BLESS!
Wow!!! Wow!!! and Wow!!! That is all that needs to be said.
ReplyDeleteSuch touching words and performance......My favorite spiritual song and never performed more beautifully.
ReplyDeleteThat truly blessed my heart and brought tears to my eyes.
I enjoyed it so much!
God Bless you from Georgia : )
Beautiful! God bless W. Phipps for his wonderful voice and sharing on the Bill Gaither concerts. And God bless you for creating the website blog and sharing this information with everyone.
ReplyDeleteFrom a Christian in Alabama
This was as close to heaven as we can get right now! Thank you and bless you for sharing this with us!
ReplyDeleteOom! Oom! Oom! There's nothing else to say. That was too powerful! Now is the time more than ever for Christians to see and seize every human connection, for the sake of unity and for the glory of Christ, (John 17:20-24)no matter what!
ReplyDeleteOH MY GOD IT'S TRUE
ReplyDeleteBrought me to tears. Most powerful when it is hummed!
ReplyDeleteThank u for this wonderful voice. God works in marvellous ways!
ReplyDeleteDear Rick:
ReplyDeleteVery simply, thank you for this beautiful piece you have brought to our hearts.
God will thank you.
Gregory
A blessing on this Christmas Eve. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteMuch indigenous asian music is also based on the pentatonic scale (not to mention many other cultures). Perhaps they should have been yellow keys.
ReplyDeletethank you...that gave me goose bumps...love the story about the "black notes"
ReplyDeleteHaving studied music history and composition for over 20 years, allow me to clear up a small indecretion. Yes he uses the black keys, yes the pentatonic scale, to demonstrate the tune, however far more tunes by sheer number have been written in the Scottish and ENGLISH folk genre (bagpipes)using that scale. The scale can also be found in Asian music, and more locally and longer than US slaves, the music of native Americans. Is it divine intervention, no, for those five notes are the easiest to create naturally,see Pythagoras.
ReplyDeleteI really like all the video you have posted. They have touch my heart like noting else has in al wile. I really like the way you found all the artest that have sang the song. Keep Up The Good Work and God Bless You
ReplyDeleteto drsax:I applaud your learned assesment of this piece.But I also feel it necessesary to point out that neither the scottish,english,asian,or native american renditions were offered lying in their own excrement,surrounded by the dead and dying in the belly of a slave scow!
ReplyDeleteMr. Phipps sang "Amazing Grace" beautifully and I highly recommend the movie titled the same depicting William Wilburforce. However, the tune was not associated with the lyrics written by John Newton until some 60 years later. The tune is believed to be Irish or Scotch in origin.
ReplyDeleteAMEN!
ReplyDeleteThomas Walker
Absolutely beautiful and inspiring. What can I say...I love it...Thank You Jesus..
ReplyDeleteThank You... What a way to start my work day...!!! Awesome... Praise God..!!! Glory...Glory...!!!
ReplyDeleteI have sung with Wintley Phipps in person. He is an amazing man blessed with a wondrous voice. He gives such a moving witness to the blessings of our most awesome God. Thanks for this post. It brings back the memory of my opportunity to sing with him as if it were just yesterday.
ReplyDeleteThis was very inspirational. I play the piano and didnt know this info. More info to add to black history praise GOD!!
ReplyDeleteLet us keep the hope alive of all people, no matter the color (no such thing as race, it is just a social constraint to keep groups of people imprisoned) or culture. This man is doing a wonderful job. It is not about the song, but more about the history behind the words. I thank God for this young man and his historical models.
ReplyDeleteMelissa SUNY Brockport
God's grace and power is truely amazing. Thank you for sharing this powerful video!
ReplyDeleteOne thing must be pointed out. As far as the musical notes are concerned, had the author Amazing Grace not composed the words, one could listen to the notes and know nothing. No matter how beautiful the notes may seem. in John 6:63 Jesus said: The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.
ReplyDeleteMay we always remember, no matter how beautiful and moving mechanical music may be the words are what give it meaning. Amazing Grace sounds more real when used in congregational singing. We are instructed in Col 3:16 in the New Testament : Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
How sad to see so few people unwilling to sing in congregational singing because they are ashamed of the sound of their own voice. This should not be. God did not instruct us to sing beautifully to the ears of man, rather God has command his church to sing.
HALLELUJAH!!! This is absolutely incredible, inspiring, and most of all anointed! Every child, of every color, needs to be blessed by this clip. It shows us what GOD can and will do when we yield ourselves to being His children in love and grace.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely Incredible. I don't know that I can truly find words to describe it. I will be looking for more information about W. Phipps. I can't thank you enough for sharing this awesome and inspiring video! God bless you!
ReplyDeleteKarangreg says: Absolutely fantastic !! Not only does the man THINK; and nobody else thought about educating prisoner's children so that they couldn't spend all their time on the streets learning what they shouldn't; but he also TEACHES; How many people know the story about the black notes? There can't be many of them; and he also SINGS; amazing grace is a song I've always loved and has always brought tears to my eyes, but when sung by B. Phipps, especially after the explanation he gave, you can actually imagine the slaves in the hold of the ship, wailing for their lost lives. Thank you for letting us see and hear this.
ReplyDeleteI was really thrilled at this piece of art. I had never heard Amazing Grace song so beautifully. It was indeed touching and tearful. May God continue to bless Mr. Phipp with such an elegant voice. The story behind "Amazing Grace" should a lesson to all regardless of race, creed or nationally.
ReplyDeleteTHAT WAS GREAT,MADE MY DAY AND TOUCHED MY SOUL,THANK YOU AND HAVE A BLESSED DAY.
ReplyDeleteThat was beautiful. Let's not take away from the blessing that is in this by dissecting where, how and when...Let's just be blessed. This has passed our way for a reason. Thank you for sharing. It came right on time!
ReplyDeleteI thank you for this. Saved or not..this spiritual will touch should touch your spirit. Ive never heard of this man but will seek out more about him..his voice is powerful! Also...Mahalia Jackson's version is timeless.
ReplyDeleteHow awesome it is to see what God can do through people! This man who had worked with slavery, through the awe of God's precious forgiving grace, wrote a song that has inspired christian hearts even to the present day and most likely for years to come. Isn't it awesome to know God loves you and protects you no matter how severly you sin against him. Praise God and thanks for this video. One can see the light of God in Phipps smile!
ReplyDeleteI have lived 52 years on this Earth, and loved these songs for all of those years that I can remember. I learned more about them in those few minutes today than I have learned in the last 50+ years. Thank you so much for sharing this. It was great!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely divine! Someone forwarded this to me and I was hesitant to click thru, but I am thrilled that I did. Knowledge of our past, even when it is painful, does not have to divide us...but rather it can be the bridge for each of us to feel God's love for us all. We should never be afraid of the Sankofa. THANK YOU!!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for this, i heard this song many songs but i never gave it much thought of what it means, i just wanted to thank you and hope i'll meet u in heaven one day. AMEN!!!!!
ReplyDeleteTears of Joy ran down my face when I heard this. I have always loved this song, now even more. It lifted my spirit and my day.
ReplyDeleteThanks
AWESOME!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing. Let's get it out to as many young people as possible.
Facsinating history of music!
ReplyDeleteWonderfu christian singer
It's now January 17, 2008 & I've juar a seen & heard "just the black notes" by Wintlley Phipps for the first time. I found it very impressive and moving. I had never seen any of your postings before and truelly enjoyed this & hope to receive more in the future. Thank you for putting out these blogs. Ruth Frisbie
ReplyDeleteThe most famous of all Christian songs, as it transends race, denomination, and time, giving glory to only God and his saving grace. It was never done better than Phipps interpretation; the story frees us from our prejudices.
ReplyDeleteThis is my 2nd effort as the 1st apparently flew up to Heaven before I was quite finished. I just want to say hallelujah to all involved and especially to Mr Phipps. His voice is gloriously suited for the lesson he offered to us in this clip. The humming was marvelous and is a style that ought to be used more often. Thank you Lord for creating such beauty!
ReplyDeleteWow, I've heard it sung many times by many people, but NEVER like this. His voice and this song together fills my soul with the Holy Spirit and give me goose bumps!up. Truly the most beautiful, gifted voice I've ever heard.
ReplyDeleteGreat singing ... but he's off on his facts. Newton never sung Amazing Grace to the tune we know today.
ReplyDeleteAmazing Grace was first published in 1779. It was first linked to the tune "New Britain" in 1835 - 56 years later, and 28 years after Newton's death.
And that tune was just one of many for another century. The song only became famous when it hit the pop charts in the 1960s. (See this link for more details.)
My favourite version is the Blind Boys of Alabama singing it to the tune of House of the Rising Sun. Powerful!
I'm amazed at how much traffic this post has received. Some have pointed out problems related to the lyrics connected to the tune.
ReplyDeleteFor me, since I sing nothing like Phipps, I like it to the Eagle's "Peaceful Easy Feeling". I heard it once to the Theme Song from Gilligan's Island but I didn't like that.
Here's the Blind Boy's version.
ReplyDelete: Awesome, simply awesome.
ReplyDeleteThank You!!!
ReplyDeleteJoy
Thank you so much for posting this. It is really wonderful. I learned something new and will pass it on.
ReplyDeleteMay you be blessed!
FP
Rick, I believe it has been said so greatly but here it is again... Thank you, thank you and passionately thank you for putting this out there. The emotion and the passion in which is was tastefully done speaks when the soulful and heartfelt melody hits anyone who has a soul.
ReplyDeleteI Love the passion of Christ and
any one who feels him moving!
Wow. That just made my day so much better! Just a further reminder of God's greatness. Thanks so much for posting this.
ReplyDeleteWhat a voice and personality! I'm glad he's on our side (Christianity). Thanks for posting this on your blog and bringing it to the web. We are all slaves, no matter what color our skin, until we accept the Amazing Grace offered by Christ. We are slaves of destruction and death until we walk in the light of life and the resurrection of Jesus. We should thank the slaves for showing us what it's like to live in the darkness of our souls and spirits. God gives us a clear illustration of that kind of slavery through their lives. And He gives us a clear illustration of what it's like to live in the light with that beautiful voice of Wintley Phipps who showed us both sides of the matter. Amazing Grace is a song of thanksgiving if it is anything. And Phipps does it best.
ReplyDeleteawesome to see a part of a plan and be the part of the plan.
ReplyDeleteAMEN
Wow! Alot of post for the Holy Ghost!!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad I was given to chance to see and hear all of these versions of such a great song. I was taught a long time ago why the song came about, but it's always good to be remind of information of such importance to us all. They say you learn something new every day and the wonderful value that the black notes hold will remain in my heart. Continue spreading the good works of God's children.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Auntie for sending this to me. SCH
Thank you what a very uplifting way to start my day.
ReplyDeleteAfter a long ocean voyage, all of mankind was delivered out of the belly of a ship, Noah's Ark!
ReplyDeleteI and my husban was full of touch of the spirit Amazing Grace is a wonderful song and its realy saves people's life.
ReplyDeleteThe Davies.
Rick was associate pastor of the Vineyard in Cape Girardeau, MO. He is still missed. Everything ground to a halt after he left and we floundered. The church is a shell of its former self.
ReplyDeleteCome back to Cape!
hey - who out there knows me?
ReplyDeleteWOW! I've always loved this song but this gives me an even deepere appreciation for the beauty of the melody as well as the words and the Awesome God Who inspired them.
ReplyDeleteThat made my day!! This coutry needs to listen to Wintley Phipps. He could bring us all together. What an inspirational man!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm still a painoist at 59 still going strong for 45yrs, and music always amazes and blesses me. Elevation of any music is a oracle that is present. The most Angelic verison for me is by Ms. Aretha Franklin "Amazing Grace" truly genius. Thank you Sir for sharing the love, most enjoyable!
ReplyDeleteWhat can I say, WOW, one more thank you for posting this. Talk about Amazing Grace - Mr Phipps sure has a lot. I also saw a mention that your Grandmother was from Caltanesetta, I lived somewhat close to there for 6 years. Once again thanks for this posting. Judith
ReplyDeleteGOD IS GREAT ALL THE TIME
ReplyDeleteAMEN, VERY AMAZING VOICE THAT GOD CREATED IN PEOPLE, AND VERY HIGHLY ANOITED VOICE THAT GIVE YOU GREATLY CHILLS IN YOUR SOUL. KEEP THE FAITH IN CHRIST JESUS, HE NOT DONE WITH US YET!
d. moore
AMEN, GLORY HALLELUJA,I'M SITTING HERE, TRYING TO TYPE THRU MY TEARS, WHAT A WONDERFUL THING TO RECEIVE THE MOMENT I SIT DOWN TO CHECK MY E-MAILS, I WILL NEVER LOOK AT THE SONG "AMAZING GRACE" THE SAME EVER AGAIN...GOD BLESS YOU MR. PHIPPS, MAY GOD CONTINUE TO USE YOU....LADY DANITA WILSON
ReplyDeleteI rarely open these videos, Rick, because I have "dial-up" but something told me this would be worth the wait and it was. What drew me was your photo which did not match the video content. Not that I'm judging you, but...big cigar...lots of facial hair...not what I expected at all. Pleasant surprise.
ReplyDeleteRick,
ReplyDeleteI should have said the Cape church is no longer a Vineyard and I suspect it never really was. Such a waste.
Don't want to stir up any problems with Robert so we'll leave my identity secret. Glad to see you're doing well.
Be blessed.
Thank you WOW is not really the word for how this made me feel.... It truly is Amazing Grace ---- Thank you Jesus, and most importantly thank you Heavenly father for allowing me to see and hear such beautiful work
ReplyDeleteMusic: BY UNKNOWN
ReplyDeleteNot only this music...but 'ALL' that has been attributed to the Author >> BY UNKNOWN <<
Please allow me to translate so that everyone will understand
...the TEACHER wants us to know that these are universal truths ...
>> BE.IT UNiversally KNOWN <<
=
>> BY UNKNOWN <<
...in other words, let this verse or this music or this picture...
...whatever it may be...
...Let It Be Universally Known...
What an incredible, powerful and uplifting message. Thank you for choosing to follow God's plan in sharing this with millions of people around the world!!!!
ReplyDeleteHeather
What an incredible video and message! I write this through tears in my eyes...thank you for posting this.
ReplyDeleteI thank all those responsible for bringing this to my soul, as faith seems to fade in deeds and words from the mothers of mankind, and the men of leadership. I am strengthened by this wisdom and continued proof of God's love for us all. I pray many more souls like Mr. Ianniello will use their means to enlighten and change lives, spiritual souls, and eternal destinations. The outcome is still up to us.
ReplyDeleteAnyone who is not moved by this, must surely be made of stone.
ReplyDeleteThank you for presenting this historical piece on the origin of Black Gospel and Spiritual Music. And, most especially for reminding us of an era in our past in which a most egregious stain was allowed to be perpetrated and inflicted upon one race by another in the name of sheer greed, mendacity, and ignorance.
In the words of two men of letters, whom I hold most dear, from the 20th Century: Simon Wiesenthal, and Harold Weisberg, "NEVER AGAIN."
Thank you, Rick for presenting this remarkable time spot. And, most of all, my thanks to you, Mr. Phipps.
I POST THIS COMMENT TO; JAMES & RUTH SPAULDING MY DEAR FRIENDS. WITH MR. PHIPPS WORDS AND LOVE FOR ALL PEOPLE TO HEAR AND FEEL THE MEANING WITHIN "AMAZING GRACE", AND SO IS THE WAY OF OUR FRIENDSHIP.
ReplyDeleteFantastic clip.
ReplyDeleteA great music education for all.
Just in case you're wondering, almost ALL folk musics use that same pentatonic scale (at least to some extent). Try playing appalachian tunes, chinese tunes, native-american tunes, and others all on the black keys. After you're done with that, try your favorite rock and pop tunes--pentatonic. as are most rock guitar solos. Then think about how much beautiful, powerful, and otherwise amazing music has been made with just 5 notes.
In five words, OH MY!!!!
ReplyDeletePowerful, inspirational and heart touching!
ReplyDeleteAmen and Amen!
I heard simply amazing but not to this scale and nor did it touch me like this yet back then when heard and it's great to feel that way again,with this lesson he gave and the song he sang, it was something very moving to recall the era of slaves of yesterday yet today there are simillar ocurences even now in modern day life as we walk asleep...
ReplyDeleteTAM
WOW. What an amazing gift this man has.
ReplyDeleteThis video has moved me and has given me an insight to one of my favorite songs to sing.
Thank you I will never sing it again with out thinking of this never.
Thank you thank you thank you.
Kathleen from B.C. Canada
My husband and I just finished watching the movie "AMAZING GRACE" and less than one half hour I received this e-mail. Coincedence? I think not! I have always loved this piece of music, how wonderful to know the story behind the words and now to know the history of the music. Mr Phipps has an amazing gift. May GOD bless him and all of us and guide us in our search for peace and love for our fellow men.
ReplyDeleteChristine
Wowwwwwwwwwwwww, I had no intention of opening this and once I did and figured it was "churchy" I "knew" it cut it off. But when he began to speak I was somehow drawn in. When he sang, oh my gosh.... Just amazing. I'd never liked the song or saw what everyone who heard it made such a big fuss about. But his voice is amazing, his message powerful and this blog, worth forwading to everyone.
ReplyDeleteThanks for poting it Rick and thanks for sendig it Mr & Mrs P.
If THIS does not move you, then get an appointment with a doctor because someone did a transfusion on your body and exchanged your blood for ice water, and then plan a long vacation in the deep south as quickly as possible. You must develop an inner southern heritage, and quick! I am not kidding here!
ReplyDeleteThis is actually a little silly. It's nice and all, but as the man said, Newton didn't write the melody to Amazing Grace...the "New Britain" melody to which it is set has a copyright date of 1835, and Newton died in 1807. Also, as another commenter said, the pentatonic scale is found all over the world in folk music...and in folk music that deals with subject material from love and betrayal to sacred matters to lullabies to comedy to lewd/bawdy songs to...well, you name it. His comment about "do re mi fa so la ti do" is also slightly misguided, since, if one leaves out "fa" and "ti", one winds up with the pentatonic scale anyway...and when these tunes are harmonized (as Amazing Grace nearly always is), "fa" and "ti" will appear in the harmony. And, to top it off, that sequence of intervals that is formed by the "black notes" can be formed from ANY note on the piano, regardless of color. Sorry, guys, but this is really just your typical bit of urban myth and sentimentality.
ReplyDelete"Let the church say 'amen'". Did you notice that the 5 Blind Boys' tune was also pentatonic? You can hear still another tune with these words on the wonderful history of the hymn: Amazing Grace with Bill Moyers, on video from PBS.
ReplyDeleteMr. Phipps is absolutely right! Bond or free, black or white, we are all made whole through the wondrous blood of our loving Savior Jesus Christ. He binds us all together as His children if we love, trust, obey, and accept Him as our Personal Lord and Savior! I am a Music Teacher at church and a Literacy Coach in a Middle School in North Carolina and I "PREACH" this to our children every chance I get....yes....in a public school! AMEN! Praise the Lord! Thank you Jesus!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeletePhipps's words and intent are great. However, it was ruined for me when he "churched it up." He said he would perform the song like Newton would have heard it, but then used a really cheesy synth track and multiple key changes-- only for dramatic effect.
ReplyDeleteHalf the posts on this board are repetitive church jargon and copied phrases. Why is it that Christians feel like they have to use all this jargon?
Why not use your own creativity and original words to express your own unique feelings and ideas?
last anonymous ... I agree with you but I also find too many Christians anxious to correct others (I'm not saying that is the case with you). Since I tend to be that way, I tried to allow these folks space to enjoy what they got from this in their own way rather than instruct them on my way.
ReplyDelete:-)
Wow I never knew that thank you very much for posting this
ReplyDeleteWow! I just received the link to this page and I am so very grateful! I appreciate your making this video available for those of us who had never heard of Mr. Phipps. He is truly blessed and shares that blessing with the rest of us. I will pass it on as well.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you, Rick,
Dolores from Arizona
Rick,
ReplyDeleteMy little sister(now 63 years old) and I still find time when we are together to sing Amazing Grace in harmony. Your posting brought tears to my eyes and even now as I write to thank you. There are family and friend with whom I will share this.
Blessings, Carol
Thanks for sharing. If he is ever in my area, I will try to go hear him in person.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful
Thank you for Amazing Grace, What a great way to start our day. God is great. Thank you Mr. Phipps you touched my soul this day.
ReplyDeleteThis was amazing. I never knew this about the slave scale or the black keys of the piano.
ReplyDeleteMy Grandmother said you never get to old to learn, and you should learn something new everyday.
Thanks for an uplifting start to my day.
I was sent this message by a friend and it was the most important thing I heard all day. God Bless !!!! The person who posted this it will be an inspiration to all who hear it. Be a witness for GOD
ReplyDeleteDianna,
Montgomery, Al.
With tears, all I can say is to God be the Glory
ReplyDeleteEllen
Rick: Amazing Grace will never be he same for me since this video came into my life. I will always hear the slaves as they "pull" through the water in a peril for freedom.
ReplyDeleteJust another radical black guy preaching about black unity. Wiat, this guy actually talks about unity in christ, black or otherwise. A welcomed view in light of some of our political figures views...
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely wonderful . Share our collective heritage precisely.
ReplyDeleteHi Rick! Thanks for this. It's a powerful clip, and a powerful song, beautifully presented. Great reading the blog as well. Thanks to all for your musings and comments.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate the few corrections of Mr. Phipps' musical and other historical comments. While the "black" notes appear not to be specific to African culture, I am heartened to know how universal those five notes are. Ultimately, I guess I really don't care as much about the facts as I applaud this strong black male taking a huge opportunity to move so mightily a primarily white and apparently middle class audience in the theatre, and to continue to move the spirit of the majority of people who experience this clip through your blog. Any time we can have thoughtful conversations about God and oppression and unity and His saving grace is all good.
Blessings,
Heidi Yoakum
Hallelujah!! Hallelujah!! Thank you for posting this! So many lessons in less than 9 minutes. Amazing Grace will never be the same to me!! To God be the Glory!
ReplyDeleteCeecee
My favorite song of all time. I will never stop sobbing when I hear it. This moved me especially b/c of the video history. I would love to have a complete version of Phipps singing and giving praise with his version of Amazing Grace. Is there anywhere I can get that.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the comfort I received from this video.
What a wonderful rendition - Mr. Phipps is an amazing talent, both musically and in sharing the Word. I am ordering everything he has on any kind of media available.
ReplyDeleteTo Ms. Greene who attempted to say that the slaves couldn't have POSSIBLY sang from only the black notes because pianos had not yet been invented - WOW! Surely you must know that music had to have existed before there were such things as inanimate instruments. Surely God didn't create pianos before there was music. What about the music of the wind blowing, or the waves of water lapping the shores, or a child's laughter, or the music that was caused by God's voice calling the very world into existence? Certainly, I wasn't there, but I believe in a God that is so omniscient that it is not possible for ANYTHING to be left out of His Plan when he created the world. I believe that everything we are to know and will know is already in place, and that God reveals these things to us in His time -- we, in our finite understanding, call them discoveries. God laughs because He knows He has just let us peek into another package, if you will, under the magnificent Christmas Tree of His wonders. He can't let us know everything at once - we, in our present state, wouldn't be able to handle it.
Music is my avocation and I remember learning my scales as a little girl on a cardboard replica of a piano keyboard. It wasn't a piano, but I learned my scales and the music anyway. I also learned in music theory that any note - black or white - can be a sharp or flat, depending on the intention of the composer.
Sometimes we get so caught up in 'historical correctness' that we miss the Message. Developing a Spiritual Ear serves us a lot better than listening for supposed facts that have nothing to do with the lesson that is to be learned.
My prayer is that we all will learn to listen more often with a "Spiritual Ear," for sometimes it, too, needs tuning.
Beverly in Frisco
I wonder if this fellow ever wondered how those notes happened to find their way on the piano? The pentatonic scale was used in traditional Celtic music oh for maybe 10,000 years prior to the "Ole Negro Spiritual". Celtic music is what African slaves heard when they were brought here. Amazing Grace was not derived from from "the black notes on the piano" but from the Scottish, Irish and Welsh musical heritage.
ReplyDeleteWhile he seems like a nice fellow, it reminds me of a two year old demanding something to be true just because he wants it to be true. Two year olds, thank God, grow up but that's because we expect them to grow up and it follows human childhood development. Two year olds throw fits when challenged with reality. Let's just send him a copy of the "Emperor's New Clothes" written by Hans Christian Anderson.
I guess the question is: Is the truth and the value of this gentleman worth confronting this distortion?
Both this gentleman and the truth are very valuable and ought to be treated accordingly.
Actually, the fact that many negro spirituals just use the pentatonic scale is mere coincidence. The Pentatonic scale is widely used all over the Earth in a wide variety of cultures. (Guess what kind of scale Scottish bagpipes play, for instance.) This particular melody was probably written by a Scotsman or Irishmanin the early 19th century LONG AFTER JOHN NEWTON HAD DIED. Sorry to be a "spoiler" but facts are facts.
ReplyDeleteI HATE NEGATIVE PEOPLE THAT HAVE TO FIND SOMETHING TO KILL THE SPIRIT.
ReplyDeleteWHO CARES IF THE MELODY IS FROM A NEGRO SPIRITUAL.
GOD KNOWS AND THAT'S ALL THAT IS IMPORTANT.
I AM 86 YEARS OF AGE AND SICK OF KNOW IT ALLS. I FOUGHT IN SEVERALL WARS STARTING IN CHINA/BURMA/INDIA THEATER WORLD WAR II. I HEARD AMAZING GRACE AND MANY VERSIONS OF IT'S BACKGROUND AND AS I SAID, THE KNOW IT ALLS ARE NOT SO SMART, "ONLY GOD KNOWS."
2 words WOW & goose bumps
ReplyDeletethat was great on the black notes i
ReplyDeletewas told that bby my dad in 1955
but the first time i seen it like that keep on doing it people.
RL, SHAMAH
NEYW YORK, NY
Stumbled across this by accident.. Found it pretty interesting actually, kudos for putting it out there.
ReplyDeleteBeverly in Frisco, you're an idiot..lol. Let's recap on your comment to Ms Greene about pianos not even existing around the newton times.
ReplyDelete"Surely God didn't create pianos before there was music. What about the music of the wind blowing, or the waves of water lapping the shores, or a child's laughter, or the music that was caused by God's voice calling the very world into existence? Certainly, I wasn't there, but I believe in a God that is so omniscient that it is not possible for ANYTHING to be left out of His Plan when he created the world. I believe that everything we are to know and will know is already in place, and that God reveals these things to us in His time"
Yep, first ridicule ms green, and give an answer that doesn't prove a single thing against her? well done, what does a childs laughter have to do with pianos historically? and furthermore music at all, if you think a childs laughter is a form of music you've lost the plot, you're basically saying any sound in the world is the sound of music, so me farting is the sound of music? the sound someone being stabbed is music? The sound of someone being burnt alive is music?. I'd also like to add you're an idiot because of this "and that God reveals these things to us in His time" Let's have a look at the population on earth, and since your a big spiritual believer, you can take into account the animals, the dead and what ever is in the universe. Now, in your mind you imagine god as a being with a plan, as in time is constructed around him, for instance to have a plan he must have time to do so? to decide? Okay, go back to the population and everything else i said involved, you really believe god, a being of consideration and planning is taking the time to reveal his plans to you?...get real, if that was the case the essence of time would find god 2937398575 years behind. I'm not a big believer as you can tell, but you have to word your shit a bit better before i become one. There might be a god, but he doesn't plan....he doesn't control you, that's just an easy way of escaping reality, it was "gods will" get real, it was you. Everything you do is from you, not god. You remind me of the ignorant pope. When asked "how come the bible doesn't mention anything about the dinosaurs (which are evidently true). His response was "Gods test of faith"
.....Yeh easy to fall back on the bigfella upstairs isn't it. Gods test of faith, Gods decision, God this, God that. Grow up and take some control would you, You're here for one reason and one reason only, to live. yep thats it, just to live. theres no big plan for you, theres no reign of luck coming your way. If god planned everything, why do thousands of babies die every day? They didn't even get a chance to walk or talk but your telling me gods big plan comes to us all, yep, okay so god just wastes some time making plans to kill babies? exactly your an idiot, ill believe in god to extent of existence, but for big plans, fate and destiny? i think its time to accept reality and start doing things for yourself, god wont hand it to you on a platter because of your "faith"
I wish i could get the whole world in a survey to pray for something as a whole, i mean if the whole world does it for ever until the day they die, you'd think god would do it right? I mean you pray to god for health, saving loved ones, success. You even thank him at your dinner table for the food provided. I'm sorry, but he didn't provide it, "oh but he created it!" yes, but he didn't provide YOU with it, he didn't hand it down, work your shifts and bleed your blood to get it. How come no one sits around thanking Thomas Edison for creating the light bulb? god didn't give us that, yeah he gave us "light" with the sun, no light bulb or a power plant to run our electricity, i bet you don't live in the jungle eating fruits and living in gods only creation...no you live in this world, full of inventions. And don't tell me it was gods will for them to invent those things, half of them weren't even religious. Why would he choose someone not religious? test of faith? The fact is you rely on god for everything, the way you live to the way you think. They say children are smarter then us adults because they are free minded and haven't been influenced. I agree totally, religion hasn't distorted their mind yet, unlike yours it seems.
Anyway enough said,I could go on for days and go right back to the beginning ripping the bible apart piece by piece, but i have a beer going warm.
I hope you can take something from this and start actually living a life where you can thank yourself for what you've done and achieved, not god.
clearly anonymous needs help
ReplyDeleteYour video singing Amazing Grace was absolutely awesome; however, it needs correcting. You talk about John Newton having been the Captain of a slave ship prior to writing the hymn, but you fail to say that he was bringing slaves from Africa to ENGLAND -- not America. If you don't want to look up the history, watch the movie "Amazing Grace" about William Penn, Wilburforce, and John Newton. You'll learn something. Again, I loved your rendition of Amazing Grace; bellieve I've seen you sing it on The Hour of Power at the Crystal Cathedral in Calif., also. Again, AWESOME & INSPPIRING!
ReplyDeleteYour video singing Amazing Grace was absolutely awesome; however, it needs correcting. You talk about John Newton having been the Captain of a slave ship prior to writing the hymn, but you fail to say that he was bringing slaves from Africa to ENGLAND -- not America. If you don't want to look up the history, watch the movie "Amazing Grace" about William Penn, Wilburforce, and John Newton. You'll learn something. Again, I loved your rendition of Amazing Grace; bellieve I've seen you sing it on The Hour of Power at the Crystal Cathedral in Calif., also. Again, AWESOME & INSPPIRING!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great note. I enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteRick,
ReplyDeleteDoug Sharp here. Been 25 years since I saw you last. Serving Jesus Christ ever since.
"Thank you so much for such a rich history and for sharing the Gospel Message of Jesus Christ. I have heard it before, forwarded it to many, saved it and found it again tonight. Rick you are amazing, thank you again and again for "Just the Black Notes"
ReplyDelete