Katherine Hankey, 1834-1911
A simple song which became popular and has been translated into several different languages, because it expresses what is in the hearts of multitudes of people.
The words are from a long poem of 50 stanzas, in two parts, on the life of Jesus. Part I, dated January 29, 1866, is entitled, “The Story Wanted.” Part II, dated November 18, 1866, is entitled, “The Story Told.” The author composed the poem during a long period of convalescing after a serious illness. This hymn and “Tell me the old, old story” ([No. 495]) are selections from Part II and Part I, respectively, of the above-mentioned poem.
Katherine Hankey, born in Clapham, England, was the daughter of a banker. She was a refined, consecrated woman, a Sunday school teacher, and organizer of Bible classes among working girls. She travelled in South Africa to look after an invalid brother and became so interested in mission work that she devoted thereto the income from her writings.
MUSIC. HANKEY was composed for these words. For comments on the composer, Wm. G. Fischer, see [Hymn 469]. The melody, written in 1869, was harmonized by Hubert P. Main ([No. 426]) and became popular at revival meetings. It is one of the gospel song tunes that is included in the more dignified church hymnals.
494. Sing them over again to me
Philip P. Bliss, 1838-76
Written especially for use in the first issue of Words of Life, a Sunday school paper published by Fleming H. Revell. Two years later, George Stebbins introduced the song in an evangelistic campaign which he and Dr. Pentecost were conducting in New Haven, Conn., the two men singing the song as a duet. The song was received with enthusiasm and immediately became popular. It was published in Gospel Hymns, No. 3 and has had a wide use in evangelistic services and in the Sunday schools throughout the country.
For comments on Philip P. Bliss, author and composer, see [Hymn 442].