“燈塔”改編自19世紀美國聖歌《The Golden Rule》，，最早的曲譜記載於1881年紐約的一本教科書《Franklin Square Song Collection》，曲作者不可考，《The Golden Rule》的旋律也可能是來源於歐洲民謠（比如蘇格蘭民謠《The Rose of Allendale》就跟它有點相似），由19世紀的新教徒移民帶到美國後加以改編。讚美詩的詞作者是“I. J. Zimmerman”，這首歌19世紀末明治年間先流傳到了日本，隨後再流傳到了韓國。韓國女歌手西門卓曾經唱過韓語版《燈塔守護人》，經梁芒重新填詞後，由黃綺珊演唱。最初在2014年黃綺珊的個人演唱會由黃綺珊首唱，並成為此歌中文版原唱。
原版平緩抒情，改編恢弘大氣，很具特色。
去世之前，他為自己寫了墓志銘：“約翰牛頓牧師，從前是個犯罪作惡不信上帝的人，曾在非洲作奴隸之仆。但借着主耶穌基督的豐盛憐憫，得蒙保守，與神和好，罪得赦免，並蒙指派宣傳福音事工。”這首詩歌就是他一生得拯救的見證。
詞：John Newton (1725-1807)/J P Rees(b 1859)
曲：Traditional American melody
Amazing grace! (how sweet the sound)
That sav'd a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now I am found,
Was blind, but now I see.
'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears reliev'd;
How precious did that grace appear,
The hour I first believ'd!
Thro' many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
'Tis grace has brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.
The Lord has promis'd good to me,
His word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.
Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease;
I shall possess, within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.
The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
The sun forbear to shine;
But God, who call'd me here below,
Will be forever mine.
另一現代版本有此段:
When we've been there ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun,
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we've first begun
(例:英國Susan Boyle 音樂專輯《I dreamed a dream》內的版本)
