CHRISTIAN LIFE >> our love for god
SDAH 457
I love to tell the story
of unseen things above,
of Jesus and his glory,
of Jesus and his love.
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For Worship Leaders
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Hymn Spotlight: I Love to Tell the Story
Arabella Katherine Hankey’s passion for missions and love for Scripture led her to write two long poems in 1866, later published in The Old, Old Story (1867). This hymn comes from the second poem, “The Story Told,” which in its original form had 47 stanzas tracing the entire gospel narrative from Creation to the Second Coming. Hankey also authored “Tell Me the Old, Old Story” (SDAH 196) from the first poem. The familiar refrain and some lines are likely the work of William Gustavus Fischer, who also composed the tune. First published in 1869 in Joyful Songs, Fischer’s melody captured hearts across denominations, making this a cherished gospel hymn. Its simple testimony—delighting in telling the story of Jesus and His love—remains a timeless call to keep the gospel ever on our lips and in our lives.
📖 Reference: Feel free to share but please cite hymnsforworship.org when reproducing.
Introductions for Sabbath School Song Service (based on specific lesson quarterlies):
Arabella Katherine Hankey (1834-1911; see SDAH 196) wrote two poems in 1866 that were incorporated into her booklet The Old, Old Story, printed in 1867. This hymn is part of the second poem, “The Story Told.” Hankey also wrote SDAH 196, “Tell Me the Old, Old Story,” which is taken from Part I of her poem. Part I consisted of eight stanzas only, of four lines each, whereas Part II had 47 stanzas of four lines each. There are five stanzas of introduction, five about the Garden of Eden, 10 on the Nativity, seven on Christ’s ministry, eight on His crucifixion, four on the Resurrection and Ascension, two on the Comforter, five as a summary, and the last one on the Second Advent. Part II begins: “You ask me for ‘The Story,'” and then lines 2 to 4 of SDAH’s first stanza follow. The rest of the hymn, and the refrain, is by another author, probably the composer of the tune.
The tune, unnamed, was composed by William Gustavus Fischer doid (1835-1912; see SDAH 307), and published in 1869 in a pamphlet Joyful Songs. It became a universal favorite, appearing in scores of later books. Fischer also composed the unnamed tunes for SDAH 307 to the words “I Am Coming to the Cross”; and for SDAH 318, “Whiter Than Snow.”
📖 Reference: Companion to the Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal by Wayne Hooper and Edward E. White. Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1988.
Text
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 ’tis true;
it satisfies my longings
as nothing else can do.
Refrain
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.
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.
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.
Hymn Info
Biblical Reference
(d) Matt 5:6 (r) Rom 1:16
Author
Katherine Hankey (1834-1911)
Year Published
1866
Metrical Number
7.6.7.6.D.Ref.
Composer
William G. Fischer (1835-1912)
Year Composed
1869
Theme
OUR LOVE FOR GOD
