Question: Who would label oneself a wretch?
Answer: John Newton, the writer of the song “Amazing Grace”, English poet, clergyman and former captain of a slave ship.
Sullivan’s Island
Today I had the privilege to participate in “Remembrance”. This annual event collectively honors the millions of enslaved Africans who perished during the Middle Passage, the torturous transatlantic slave ship voyages from Africa to the Americas. This commemoration is held on the second Saturday in June every year at some of the numerous ports around the world, including The Virgin Islands, Panama, Brazil and Ghana.
Appropriately, the event was held at Fort Moultrie on Sullivan’s Island, SC, which is often referred to as the “Ellis Island” for African Americans. Research has revealed that 40% of the 500, 000 people who would be enslaved in the United States were shipped to the port of Charleston. At the Fort Moultrie visitor’s center we viewed the documentary “The Language You Cry In” which chronicles how a song sung by a formerly enslaved woman was traced back to a village in Africa. We were then intellectually stimulated by a husband and wife team of experts who specialize on the middle passage.
Drum Processional
This was followed by a processional led by African drummers where, before dipping our feet in the Atlantic Ocean, the crowd was reminded of the pest houses that dotted the island. Pest houses were used to quarantine Africans before they would enter Charleston.
The processional was then led back to the Fort Moultrie dock. There we prepared the offering of fruit and flowers for the ancestors. Prior to the pouring of libations, we were entertained by African drumming and dancing. The pouring of the libation had to occur exactly at noon so that it could be synchronized with other worldly locations performing the Remembrance ceremony. That was followed by more speechifying which included world famous artist Jonathan Green who reminded the participants of the importance of rice and how it factored into slavery the United States economy.
Offering to the Ancestors
Then it happened, before we could take the offering to the Fort Moultrie dock, the heavens opened up. Every one scattered like rats leaving a sinking ship. I personally do not know if the offering made it to the water but I did think about choices. The enslaved would have had to get permission from an overseer or a slave driver before they could seek shelter from lightening and the rain. We on the other hand were free to leave at any time.
Toni Morrison Bench
Amazing Grace
John Newton
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.
Artist Jonathan Green
T’was 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 that brought me safe thus far and
Grace will lead me home.
Dr. Ade Ofunniyin
The Lord has promised good to me.
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.
Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.
Offering to the Ancestors
Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease;
I shall profess, within the vail,
A life of joy and peace.
The following stanza was written by an anonymous author, often replacing the sixth stanza, or inserted as the fourth.
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.
Chorus:
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.
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Thank you Joe McGill, for the sharing of a powerful day on Sullivan’s Island, I often share with tourists who visit the GA sea islands of Sapelo, Cumberland Sound, Catherine’s Island and Ossabaw that “my ancestors {Africans} did not journey to North America with a SUITCASE, they were shipped here in the bottoms of slave ships and arrived by way of Sullivan’s Island”. A Geechee Girl Story about “Amazing Grace”: When I was in the 4th grade, my teacher called my mother to the school and said, “you have to come and get this chile’, she’s actin’ up!” When my mother arrived she discovered that I was a member of the school chorus and had refused to sing a portion of the song “Amazing Grace”. The words I refused to sing was “that saved a wretch like me”. I explained to my mother, as I had already done to my teacher, that I was not a wretch, that the captain of the slave ship was describing himself and not me! That is a song of the bondage in which that slave ship captain placed my ancestors, a song of his request for repentance from GOD! I now know that I was representing my protest of the atrocity and pain in which millions of slaves endured during the Middle Passage. My mother informed the teacher that ‘this chile’ is special, she reads everything she can on the history of our people and I have taught her to always ask questions!’ /LestWe4Get!
Patt, the journey of the Slave Dwelling Project helps to right those wrongs that were heaped upon our young minds. Now that we are older, we must continue to do our parts to ensure that the ancestors are honored. As a board member of the Slave Dwelling Project, you have taken on this journey to give the ancestors the honor and respect that they did not receive while on this Earth. Thank you for your willingness to serve and please continue to inspire your audiences.
Joe, I have not done the research but I think the original version may have been “that saved a worm like me.” Whatever is accurate, he was not thinking well of himself. My Sunday school teacher this morning said something I have never heard before–that confession is not something you do on the back porch with a glass of sweet tea. If confession is real, it is painful. You get the sense that John Newton was very aware of the pain he caused others and his confession was sincere.
Marion, thank you for this input. There is a film titled “Amazing Grace” but I have not seen it. I agree, a sincere confession indeed. I have stayed in the slave cabin at Hopsewee once more. I just released the blog. You are always welcome for future stays.
I too, do not sing Amazing Grace because of John Newton and his reasoning for “cleansing his soul”. Most Black people sing and cry over the emotionalism expressed without understanding it’s historical context. Once they do, you can see the “light bulbs going off for different reasons. I am not a “wretch” and would like to see the changes enacted.
Liz Alston, Quite appropriate comments however knowing the real history will not keep me from singing the song.
When the heavens opened and poured down its cleansing in honor/remembrance of the Africans, many of us marched to the Pier and completed the ceremony. It symbolized our understanding that the Africans worked in rain, blazing sun and chronic fatigue, with snakes, beatings and mosquitoes. They worked. We only got wet.
It was the least we could do to let them know how grateful we are for their multiple untold sacrifices.
Ruth, Thank you for setting me straight, your dedication to honoring the ancestors and completing the story for it was I who sought shelter from the rain.
A Day of Remembrance is an event which the public should be made aware far and wide as well as near and far. The airwaves, media , radio , print , as well as word of mouth should flow outward to ensure the broadest dissemination possible. Our History and collective experiences tells a story through many mediums and speaks clearly to our past, present and future. Commit to doing a better job of communicating with as many as possible to inform the public about this significant and important event.
Yes, Highly important events such as these are those rare occasions where the ancestors can get the respect they so rightly deserve. To that end, I will continue to do my part in communicating with as many as possible to inform the public about this significant and important event.
I was glad to see so many people participating in this years ceremony. The rain was also symbolic of the tears of joy that were being shed by our ancestors as they witnessed our commemoration and elevation of their souls. Thanks Joe for witnessing and sharing. We did not retreat! We comforted ourselves in the peace of the storm.
Ade Ofunniyin, Thank you for braving the storm and not scurrying like I did. You and others who completed the offering did the ancestors proud on that great day. Keep up your great work.