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John Newton was a famous hymn writer. Perhaps you've heard of one of his hymns: "Amazing Grace."

Pancake Races are of course held on Pancake Day.

So, what does John Newton have to do with Pancake Races?

Newton wrote Olney Hymns a collection that included "Amazing Grace" a whole lot of other hymns in Olney, the birthplace of the Pancake Race.

I wonder if his wife was a good pancake racer.

Amazing Cakes, (how sweet they taste!)
All drenched with sweet honey;
I once was hungry but now am full,
a Pancake Race I see.

Tangent: Take a closer look at the inclusion of Amazing Grace in Anglican hymnals. Notice the first time its included is 1977. This hymn was unknown in Great Britain until quite recently. Before that, its popularity was strictly an American phenomenon.

The city of Liberal, Kansas has been racing Olney every year since 1950.

Labels: hymn