My Chains are Gone (Amazing Grace)

"My chains are gone, I've been set free, My God, my Savior has ransomed me" This is not an entirely new hymn, but rather Tomlin’s arrangement of the classic Amazing Grace written by John Newton in 1772.

This song is a modern adaptation of the classic hymn “Amazing Grace” written by John Newton in 1772, with Tomlin adding a new chorus. It was first released in 2006 on his album See the Morning. The song retains Newton’s original verses but incorporates Tomlin’s refrain:

My chains are gone, I’ve been set free,
My God, my Savior has ransomed me…

Tomlin’s version draws from Isaiah 55:1–13 and Romans 6:18, emphasizing the believer’s freedom from sin through Christ’s redemption. It became widely popular through the movie Amazing Grace (2006) about William Wilberforce and the abolition of the slave trade.

Title: Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)
Author: John Newton (1725–1807); additional lyrics and arrangement by Chris Tomlin and Louie Giglio
Year: Updated and released in 2006 on Chris Tomlin’s album See the Morning (released September 26, 2006) Wikipedia
Bible Reference: Luke 1:68–79 (refrain inspiration) and Romans 6:18 (thematic emphasis on freedom in Christ)

Description:
This widely beloved modern adaptation retains the timeless verses of Amazing Grace by John Newton, while introducing a new chorus written by Chris Tomlin and Louie Giglio. The added refrain—“My chains are gone, I’ve been set free; My God, my Savior has ransomed me…”—emphasizes Christ’s liberating power, deepening the hymn’s resonance with contemporary audiences. Blog - Deb MillsSecondHandSongs

Released on Tomlin’s fourth studio album See the Morning, the song marked a major milestone in his career. The album debuted at No. 15 on the Billboard 200 and soared to No. 1 on multiple Christian music charts, earning Gold certification by 2008. Wikipedia

The song also featured prominently in the soundtrack for the 2006 film Amazing Grace, which dramatized the life of William Wilberforce. Its inclusion alongside Newton’s original final verse lent both historical depth and renewed musical relevance to the classic hymn. Blog - Deb MillsWikipedia

Awards & Recognition:
• Nominated for Worship Song of the Year and Song of the Year at the 2008 GMA Dove Awards Wikipedia
• Featured on the Amazing Grace movie soundtrack, contributing to the album being recognized at the Dove Awards for Special Event Album of the Year Wikipedia