Tell It Again To Me

By Mary B. C. Slade

Lyrics

1. Into the tent where a gypsy boy lay,
Dying alone at the close of the day,
News of Salvation we carried; said he,
"Nobody ever has told it to me!"

Chorus:
Tell it again! tell it again!
Salvation's story repeat o'er and o'er,
Till none can say of the children of men,
"Nobody ever has told me before."

2. "Did he so love me, a poor little boy?
Send unto me the good tidings of joy?
Need I not perish? my hand will he hold?
Nobody ever the story has told!"

3. Bending, we caught the last words of his breath,
Just as he entered the valley of death,
"God sent his Son!" "whosoever," said he;
"Then I am sure that he sent him for me!"

4. Smiling, he said, as his last sigh he spent,
"I am so glad that for me he was sent!"
Whispered, while low sank the sun in the west,
"Lord, I believe;" "tell it now to the rest!"

Bible Reference

John 3:16

About This Hymn

Mary Bridges Canedy Slade (1826–1882) was an American poet and hymn writer who contributed a number of texts to the gospel hymn tradition of the late nineteenth century. Among her best-known works is Tell It Again To Me, a hymn that reflects her deep concern for the spread of the gospel and the reminder that the good news of Christ’s love never grows old. The hymn first appeared in gospel song collections during the great revival era and was often set to music by gospel composers such as Rigdon M. McIntosh and George C. Stebbins.

The message of Tell It Again To Me emphasizes the believer’s desire to hear, over and over, the old story of Jesus and His love. Even for those who have already accepted Christ, the gospel remains a source of joy and renewal, worthy of being repeated again and again. Each verse reflects the hunger of the heart for the simple but powerful truth of God’s saving grace, while the refrain echoes the plea to never let the story fade into routine or forgetfulness.

Like many of Slade’s hymns, this one captures both simplicity and depth. It appeals to children as well as adults, reminding the church that the gospel must be proclaimed continually, not just to the lost but also to the faithful, who need to hear and remember Christ’s love daily. This hymn was often used in Sunday schools and evangelistic services, and it fits within the broader gospel song tradition that paired straightforward, memorable melodies with heartfelt testimony.

Even today, Tell It Again To Me remains a hymn of spiritual renewal, expressing the believer’s ongoing need for the gospel message and the assurance that hearing it afresh strengthens faith and revives the soul.