Editing William Walker (composer) (section)

== As composer ==

Walker is listed as the composer of many of the tunes in ''The Southern Harmony''. But, he acknowledged that in many cases, he borrowed his tunes, probably from the living tradition of [[folk music]] that surrounded him. Glenn C. Wilcox (references below) describes the process as follows, quoting from Walker's own introduction:<!-- to which compilation? -->

{{blockquote|to a "great many good airs (which I could not find in any publication, nor in manuscript)" he has written parts and assigned himself as composer.  This ... shows his tacit acceptance of the commonality of many of the tunes... and the probability that many had achieved the status of folk song, although he of course did not use that term.}}

In working from original tune to finished hymn, Walker borrowed lyrics from established poets such as [[Charles Wesley]] (a common practice in his tradition), who had set many of his works to music earlier. Walker added treble (upper) part and bass parts, to create three-part harmony.

{{listen
|filename=Amazing Grace (2004) - Strolling Strings - United States Air Force Band.mp3
|title="Amazing Grace" (string version)
|description=Instrumental (string) rendition of hymn tune "New Britain", commonly known as "[[Amazing Grace]]" after the most famous hymn text attached to the tune, performed by the [[United States Air Force Band]] Strolling Strings. Walker assigned the lyrics to this melody that it continues to be associated with.
|format=[[ogg]]
|filename2=Amazing Grace (USAFB brass).ogg
|title2="Amazing Grace" (brass version)
|description2=Instrumental (brass) rendition of hymn tune "New Britain" ("[[Amazing Grace]]")
|format2=[[ogg]]
}}