Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran sang Christian hymns with their fellow inmates moments before bullets ended all their lives, a witness has claimed.

The singing was “breathtaking”, said Pastor Karina de Vega, who provided spiritual guidance to Brazilian man Rodrigo Gularte.

“They were praising their God,” the religious leader told local media.

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“It was breathtaking. This was the first time I witnessed someone so excited to meet their God.

“They sang a few songs together, like in a choir. The non-Christian I believe also sang from his heart. It was such an experience.”

Amazing Grace was reportedly one of the hymns. It includes the lyrics:

“Through many dangers, toils and snares I have already come.

“Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far and Grace will lead me home.

“Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail, and mortal life shall cease, I shall possess within the veil a life of joy and peace.”

Outside the compound on Indonesia’s notorious ‘death island’, family members and friends were also heard singing.

At 3:30am, gunfire rang out across the island, reportedly turning the singing of loved ones to hysterical tears.

Outside the Indonesian embassy in Canberra, there was only eery silence, save for the sounding of a few car horns.

The night before, candlelight vigils were held across Australia in protest, and in fading hope of mercy.

As Australians woke to the news, flowers and angry messages gathered outside the Indonesian consulate in Sydney.

“I pity your heart Joko,” said one note to the country’s president.

Two long-stemmed flowers, with a poignant quote from Nelson Mandela, were tied to the gate.

“You will achieve more in this world through acts of mercy than you will with acts of retribution”, the message said.