I Love to Tell the Story

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.

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.

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.

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.

-- Arabella Catherine Hankey (1834-1911).

Most of us know this poem as the hymn that it later became, with the chorus:

I love to the story,
'Twill be my theme in glory,
To tell the old, old story
Of Jesus and His love!