San Francisco Central Seventh-day Adventist Church

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196 Tell Me the Old, Old Story

congregation singing Katherine Hankey was born 1834. She grew up in a Christian home and, like her father, grew to have a great desire to see young ladies come to know Christ. In 1866, she got very sick and had to be in bed for a long time. While in her bed she had the opportunity to think about all the young ladies who had heard and received the story about redemption. She thought, “I wish people would come in and tell me the old, old story.” She wrote a poem from these thoughts about the life and work of Jesus. She wrote her poem, that became a hymn, especially for children.

Through the work of Dr. [William] H. Doane, who changed the structure of the hymn, Hankey’s poem became the well-known hymn, “Tell Me the Old, Old, Story.” (From Hymn History)

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.

Refrain
Tell me the old, old story, tell me the old, old story,
Tell me the old, old story, of Jesus and His love.

Tell me the story softly, with earnest tones and grave;
Remember I'm the sinner whom Jesus came to save.
Tell me the story always, if you would really be,
In any time of trouble, a comforter to me.

Refrain
Tell me the old, old story, tell me the old, old story,
Tell me the old, old story, of Jesus and His love.

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 dawning on my soul,
Tell me the old, old story: "Christ Jesus makes thee whole."

Refrain
Tell me the old, old story, tell me the old, old story,
Tell me the old, old story, of Jesus and His love.