I Love to Tell the Story
I love to tell the story
This hymn embodies the Lutheran emphasis on the centrality of Christ and the power of the Gospel message to transform lives. Its stress on telling and retelling the redemption narrative reflects Lutheran catechetical tradition and the priesthood of all believers in witnessing.
History & Background
Written by Katherine Hankey in 1866 as part of her longer poem 'The Story of Jesus,' this hymn became widely popular in evangelical churches and was included in Lutheran hymnals beginning in the 20th century. The text reflects the Victorian evangelical emphasis on personal testimony and the centrality of Christ's redemptive work.
“I Love to Tell the Story” is one of two hymn texts derived from a Scripture References long poem on the life of Christ written by A. (Annabelle) all st. = Ps. 66:16 Catherine Hankey (b. Clapham, England, 1834; d. Westminster, John 15:27 London, England, 1911) in 1866. Hankey wrote the poem during a long period of convalescence following a serious illness. The first part of the poem, “The Story Wanted,” is the source of the children’s gospel song “Tell Me the Old, Old Story,” while the second part, “The Story Told,” contains this text. Beginning in 1866 different versions of the full poem were printed in various publications. This hymn text, with the tune HANKEY and a refrain written by William G. Fischer, were published in Joyful Songs (1869). Apart from the context of the larger poem, some of the couplets of this text appear rather shallow or repetitious; thus the Psalter Hymnal includes only the original stanzas 1, 3, and 4. But the entire original poem provides a fine autobiographical testimony to Hankey’s evangelical fervor, which she expressed in her writings and in her support of foreign and home missions (she taught church school classes to the rich and poor of London). The text simply affirms the Christian’s zeal to “tell the old, old story ofJesus and his love” to the unsaved as well as to the saved, here on earth and in glory. Hankey was the daughter of a wealthy banker and was associated with the Clapham sect of William Wilberforce, a group of prominent evangelical Anglicans from the Clapham 703 THE PSALMS, BIBLE SONGS, AND HYMNS area. This group helped to establish the British and Foreign Bible Society, promoted the abolition of slavery, and was involved in improving the lot of England’s working classes. Hankey taught Bible classes for shop girls in London, visited the sick in local hospitals, and used the proceeds of her writings to support various mission causes. Her publications include HearttoHeart (1870) and TheOld, Old Story and Other Verses (1879).
Hymnal Appearances
- Baptist Hymnal — 572
- Chalice Hymnal — 480
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 661
- Glory to God — 462
- Lutheran Book of Worship — 390
- Lift Up Your Hearts — 382
- Lutheran Worship — 347
- New Century Hymnal — 522
- Psalter Hymnal — 530
- Trinity Hymnal — 478
- United Methodist Hymnal — 156
- Voices Together — 604
Liturgical Use
Services that promote missions and evangelism (during Epiphany and Pentecost seasons); ordination/commissioning of missionaries; prayer meetings prior to evange listic campaigns.
Bulletin Note
Written by Katherine Hankey in 1866, this hymn arose from her passion for evangelism and catechesis. Its simple, memorable tune and direct testimony make it a gift to every generation learning to voice their faith.
Preaching Connection
This hymn embodies the Lutheran conviction that Gospel proclamation—the retelling of Christ's redemptive work—is itself the primary means by which the Spirit awakens and sustains faith, moving hearts from despair to assurance.
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Progressive testimony: personal joy in Gospel proclamation → assurance rooted in truth → eternal persistence of witness
Themes
Gospel proclamation Witness and testimony Redemption through Christ Joy in salvation