The Old, Old Story

A double feature today as we look at two hymns inspired by Katherine Hankey's lovely poem about "The old old story of Jesus and His love". Perhaps you are familiar with "Tell Me the Old Old Story" or perhaps you know "I Love To Tell the Story". Both come from her writing, written in the worst period of her life.

Hankey's poem can be found here.

Sources I used for this video:
- Mclelland, J. 1994 The Ambassador Book of Great Hymn Stories. Ambassador Productions Ltd: Belfast
- Bradley, I. 1989. The Penguin Book of Hymns. Penguin Group: London
- Osbeck, K.W. 1985. 101 Hymn Stories. Kregal Publications: Grand Rapids

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1 Tell me the old, old story,
Of unseen things above,
Of Jesus and his glory,
Of Jesus and his; love;
Tell me the story simply,
As to a little child,
For I am weak and weary,
And helpless and defiled.

Chorus:
Tell me the old, old story,
Tell me the old, old story,
Tell me the old, old story,
Of Jesus and his love.

2 Tell me the story slowly,
That I may take it in--
That wonderful redemption,
God's remedy for sin.
Tell me the story often,
For I forget so soon;
The early dew of morning
Has passed away at noon.

3 Tell me the story softly,
With earnest tones, and grave;
Remember! I'm the sinner
Whom Jesus came to save.
Tell me that story always,
If you would really be,
In any time of trouble,
A comforter to me.

4 Tell me the same old story,
When you have cause to fear
That this world's empty glory
Is costing me too dear.
Yes, and when that world's glory
Is drawing on my soul,
Tell me the old, old story:
"Christ Jesus makes thee whole."

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1 I love to tell the Story
Of unseen things above,
Of Jesus and His Glory,
Of Jesus and His love!
I love to tell the Story!
Because I know it's true;
It satisfies my longings,
As nothing else would do.

Chorus:
I love to tell the Story!
'Twill be my theme in glory,
To tell the Old, Old Story
Of Jesus and His love.

2 I love to tell the Story!
More wonderful it seems,
Than all the golden fancies
Of all our golden dreams.
I love to tell the Story!
It did so much for me!
And that is just the reason,
I tell it now to Thee. [Chorus]

3 I love to tell the Story!
'Tis pleasant to repeat
What seems, each time I tell it,
More wonderfully sweet.
I love to tell the Story;
For some have never heard
The message of salvation
From God's own Holy Word. [Chorus]

4 I love to tell the Story!
For those who know it best
Seem hungering and thirsting
To hear it, like the rest.
And when, in scenes of glory,
I sing the New, New Song.
'Twill be the Old, Old, Story
That I have loved so long. [Chorus]

#hymnhistory #christianmusic #Inspiration #TimelessHymns