Under the title “Hymn of Love,” this text appeared in The Hymns and Ballads of Fred Pratt Green, Hope Publishing Company, 1982. Basing it on the first six versed of the love chapter 1, 1 Corinthians 13, Pratt Green (1903- ;see Biographies) wrote it with the tune DEVOTION (composed by the late Edwin Quick, formerly choirmaster of Westborough Methodist Church, Scarborough, England) in mind. Pratt Green, a Methodist minister, is recognized as one of the British poets responsible for and “explosion” of hymns in contemporary language written in Britain in the 1960s and 1970s.

James Bingham (1945- ; see SDAH 54) a member of the SDAH Committee, writes: “When I read the words ‘Though I speak with tongues,’ by Fred Pratt Green, I was immediately struck with their power and beauty. The meter of the hymn precluded and familiar tune being given it, so the only alternative was to create a new one. The long meter and the sentiments of the text seemed to dictate fairly long phrases, which characterizes the first four lines. Care was taken not to make these lines detract from climatic thought: ‘Without love I am no better.’ At this point the music takes a more triumphant note, while the application of love— the last two lines—becomes more reflective again.

“The tune name JANELLE is taken from my wife’s name, Janelle Diane (Decker) Bingham. I chose it because she, more than any other, has taught me the meaning of earthly love, giving me a clearer understanding of the selfless heavenly love of Jesus. At the time of composing this music, she was working up to 15 hours a day, six days a week, to put me through my doctoral studies. I had planned to open the new hymnal and let her see her name there for the first time. However, my Sunday church, the First Congregational church of Benton Harbor, Michigan, wanted to premier the work. My wife came to that performance, and when handed a bulletin she was astonished to find her name attached to the tune. The minister singled her out, honoring her for her dedication to me and her tireless work that enabled me to obtain my doctorate. It was a very moving occasion!”

Bingham also composed the tunes for SDAH 54, PHOS HILARON; SDAH 102, YOU YANGS; and SDAH 148, INFINITE LOVE.