Tell Me the Story of Jesus

Tell Me the Story of Jesus. This narrative hymn was written by prominent two gospel songwriters, lyricist Fanny Crosby (1820–1915) and composer John Sweney (1837–1899). According to Crosby, her friendship with Sweney was formed during summer revival meetings held annually at the Methodist campgrounds in Ocean Grove, NJ. She recalled being there as early as 1877; Sweney was appointed as song leader there in 1878 and served in that role for twenty years until his declining health prevented him from continuing. Crosby said it was “one of the saddest duties of my life to recite a tribute to his memory” upon Sweney’s death. One of their most enduring collaborations is the hymn “Tell me the story of Jesus,” which was first published in The Quiver of Sacred Song (Philadelphia: John J. Hood, 1880