Olney

For instance...

The first time Amazing Grace was sung in John Newton's church in Olney, England, it was not to the tune we all know so well.

Often the lyrics of hymns and the melodies, which today feel inseparable, they were not originally paired together.

But this is a different time in history.

Persecution of the Loyalists.

In the autumn of the year 1779 an English poet, writing in the seclusion of his garden at Olney, paid his respects to the American Revolutionists in the following lines, Yon roaring boys who rave and fight On t'other side of the Atlantic, I always held them in the right, But most so when most frantic.

When lawless mobs insult the court, That man shall be my toast.

If breaking windows be the sport, Who bravely breaks the most.

Yeah.

But actually the locals call it Oni.

Yeah.

So you know if you're a proper local because you say Oni.

And you went out and stood in front of everyone and said, I'm delighted to be here in Oni today.

And I could see people being like, oh, this lady has come from the posh office in Mayfair.

She knows what it's called.