Did You Know That... by Mattie

GENERAL DISCUSSIONS

Did You Know That...

POSTED BY: MATTIE
UPDATED: Sunday, February 5, 2006 16:09
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Sunday, February 5, 2006 12:13 PM

the song "Amazing Grace" was written in 1789, and is considered the most popular hymn ever?

The song was written by a man who captained a slave ship. After surviving a terrible storm at sea, in which he pled to God for his life, he gave up his abhorrent profession and started to preach.

The reason why I post this here is because, in the episode "Heart of Gold", one of the whores sings that song at Nandie's funeral.

The girl who sings it--I believe her name is Emma?--was one of the whores who asked Sheppard to give a sermon. She's the one who "reads... on Sundays". It is interesting to me that a whore--someone who subjects themself to another person for gain-- would be singing a song written by someone who subjected other people to, well, other people, for gain. It's also interesting to think that a hymn that is popular in the 21st century would still be sung in the 25th(?) century.

There are so many parallels that make it just so fitting all the way around.

Wacky fun!

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Sunday, February 5, 2006 2:27 PM

FOLLOWMAL

Interesting Mattie. I wonder if the writers of that particular show were aware of that fact?

Firefly never ceases to surprise me. That's why I never get tired of it.

" You hold. Hold til I get back." Mal

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Sunday, February 5, 2006 2:33 PM

SAMEERTIA

"Through many dangers, toils and snares...
we have already come.
T'was Grace that brought us safe thus far...
and Grace will lead us home."

A sentiment for all ages, I think, and for any who've walked a dark path and found grace, wherever that grace may be.

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Sunday, February 5, 2006 3:41 PM

MATTIE

It struck me how fitting the song was. Not just for that scene, that story and episode, but for the theme of the entire show. I don't think the crew realizes how gracious fate/God/some higer power has been to them.

Mal's lost so very, very much, but in the end he's been able to surround himself with people that he loves and respects, and would even die for if that's what life asked of him.

Sheppard Book is one of those characters who has found grace. I think that once he was "blind" and I think his change, his ablilty to now "see" is the conscience that maybe Mal lacks. Book is the person who points out to Mal that something/someone has been so gracious to him, and maybe that's why Mal is so squemish around him. Mal doesn't want to be reminded that he is just so lucky, and that he is a hero in spite of his rough edges.

Humm... just some food for thought.

Wacky fun!

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Sunday, February 5, 2006 3:44 PM

DONCOAT

John Newton, the fellow we're discussing here, was also (it is said) addicted to self-abuse -- not the "cut on your face" kind, more the "I'll be in my bunk" kind. Until he found religion, that is.

By the way, the post-storm conversion story is a bit of an exaggeration. His conversion came many decades after he quit the sea. Here's a Snopes article about it:
http://snopes2.com/religion/amazing.htm

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I don't disagree on any particular point.

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Sunday, February 5, 2006 4:09 PM

MATTIE

Thanks for that, Don. Very interesting. Sorry about the misinformation. Maybe I should have researched a bit more before I posted something as "fact". Oops! Please excuse my mistake, and thank you for very kindly pointing me in the right direction.

Wacky fun!

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