I don't think there are any pop songs that make me cry...but hymns are a different story. Hymns are sung at our big occasions: dedications, baptisms, weddings, funerals. And Amazing Grace does it for me every time. I've played it, sang it, and listened to it at every funeral I've ever been to, and even if I'm not at a funeral it brings back memories of the people I've heard it dedicated to.
The summer after we graduated from High School, one of the long-time supporters of our high school's band, Ed Taylor, died of a heart attack during a morning run. It devastated the band and was a major loss to the community. Ed was the band booster president, a member of several local organizations, and the caretaker of Biglerville's only park. Between him and his two sons, Andrew and Ryan, their little family knew everyone in town. The high school band and a number of alumni stood in an arc around the church during his funeral and played the most pained version of Amazing Grace I've ever heard or been part of playing.
About a year ago, the band did the same thing for Andrew at his funeral. He committed suicide.
And three summers ago, we sang it for the funeral of the mother of one of my good friends from high school. Two months before my friend's wedding.
It may be a little cliche, but different things speak to different people in different ways.
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