"Tell Me the Story of Jesus"

The famous blind hymnist, Fanny Crosby, wrote the words to “Tell Me the Story of Jesus.”  Blind from the age of six weeks, Fanny Crosby, never allowed self-pity to guide her heart.  Instead, she was taught by her devout grandmother to allow Jesus to lead her.  And so she did.  She became one of the most prolific Christian writers in the late 1800’s in America, writing over 8,000 hymns—so many, that many hymn publishers used as many as 200 pseudonyms so that their hymnals would not be called “Fanny Crosby” hymnals.  This particular hymn, “Tell Me the Story of Jesus” was published in a hymnal called The Quiver of Sacred Song in 1880.   The hymnal was edited by William Kirkpatrick who was good friends with the composer of the melody of this tune, John Sweeney.

John R. Sweney wrote the melody for “Tell Me the Story of Jesus.”  Sweney’s musical career began at an early age when he began to teach public school music.  By 19, he was studying piano and violin under Professor Bauer, a German music teacher.  Three years later, he was the Third Delaware Regiment’s band leader during the American Civil War.  That led to his becoming music professor and Christian writer at Pennsylvania Military Academy where he worked for over 25 years. 

“Tell Me the Story of Jesus”

Tell me the story of Jesus,

Write on my heart every word.

Tell me the story most precious,

Sweetest that ever was heard.

Tell how the angels in chorus,

Sang as they welcomed His birth.

“Glory to God in the highest!

Peace and good tidings to earth.”

Refrain

Tell me the story of Jesus,

Write on my heart every word.

Tell me the story most precious,

Sweetest that ever was heard.

Fasting alone in the desert,

Tell of the days that are past.

How for our sins He was tempted,

Yet was triumphant at last.

Tell of the years of His labor,

Tell of the sorrow He bore.

He was despised and afflicted,

Homeless, rejected and poor.

Refrain

Tell of the cross where they nailed Him,

Writhing in anguish and pain.

Tell of the grave where they laid Him,

Tell how He liveth again.

Love in that story so tender,

Clearer than ever I see.

Stay, let me weep while you whisper,

Love paid the ransom for me.

Refrain

           “Tell Me the Story of Jesus” was a popular hymn during the late 1800’s because of it’s personal description of the Lord Jesus.

“Tell Me the Story of Jesus”

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