Insights: Amazing Grace

Amazing Grace seems to be the quintessential hymn of the United States. People from almost all Christian faiths, and even some who really have no affiliation with Christianity, find comfort in this hymn. Case in point, I seem to play Amazing Grace at least once a day. I try to get away from it sometimes, but it always comes creeping back up. As I've sung it over and over and over, and gotten to the point where sometimes I tend to zone out while I play it, I've had a few personal insights about this hymn that I feel compelled to share.

Insight #1 - Word usage in this song can be a little demeaning, I think. This of course depends on the patient, but sometimes I have a hard time calling someone a "wretch". Say that word out loud. Let the sounds slowly roll off your tongue. It's an ugly word. According to dictionary.com, a wretch is a) a deplorably unfortunate or unhappy person or b) a person of despicable or base character. Working in hospice, the last thing I want to do it tell people they are despicable or deplorable. Even some churches have a hard time with this word, too. One church I went to changed the wording from "that saved a wretch like me" to "that saved and set me free." Not a bad change, I suppose, but anytime I've tried that, it doesn't come out feeling natural. Instead, I have taken to using the word "soul" instead of "wretch". Just the vowels alone make a big difference for me. The e vowel in "wretch", to me, sounds tight, pinched off, and I can't say it without bearing my teeth on some level. My body tends to feel like the sounds and faces I'm making. How can I help someone feel comforted or relaxed when I'm making that face. The o vowel is "soul" sounds, to me, to be open, pure, and vulnerable, just like I want my clients to be with me, and vice versa. I should not expect my client to open up to me when I'm presenting him or her with a closed off appearance and actions. 


Insight #2 - The melody of Amazing Grace is easily recognized with everyone I've met on a therapeutic level. Because of the tune's recognition, it automatically can tie in with people's emotions. I have seen many people cry, even weep, while hearing this song. Sometimes the tears seem to be from sadness at having to let a loved one die, sometimes from relief,  and sometimes from just having to release all the tension they've been feeling for so long. If this hymn, which was first published in 1779, can be so powerful, how much more powerful can it be when it is personalized to the client. I have tried to add improvised verses for people and changed words within the verses ("When you've been there ten thousand years..."), which has seems to make it more meaningful for clients. One extra verse, which I learned in my internship, has consistently achieved a deeper connection, however. I tend to use this verse when a client is imminent especially when his or her family is present. To the same melody, I'll sing: 
     Dear Charlie (client's name), you are loved, you are loved, you are loved. 
     Dear Charlie, you are loved so much. 
     Dear Charlie, you are loved by your family and God above. 
     Dear Charlie, you are loved. You are loved.
By using this verse, I'm validating the client and letting them know they are loved by their family. Simultaneously, I'm validating the family and letting them know I can sense the love they have for their mother, father, sister, brother, or friend. It's a simple verse, but has had a large impact on how I approach this song. 


Those are all the insights I have at this time. I hope that you all have a great weekend!