How many songs or hymns in English that you know that begin with “N”? Many hymns and songs begin with ‘I’. No other story is one – obviously, it starts with ‘N’, and it reminds us two very important words about Jesus: grace and glory. That’s the 3 words.
To today’s ears, the original tune for the hymn has a positive feel, almost triumphant. It might even feel nationalistic, because songs of patriotism tends to bear that kind of spirit. So, as you hear the tune / music, you might feel that the feeling it projects has gone overboard in today’s multi- isms (cultural, political, or some other ones).
You might think it’s taking the world in a too simplistic way, almost like a children’s songs. But no, see the lyrics here:
Let ev’ry poor sinner hear
How Christ the Savior has died to win them,
His love overcomes all fear.
I agree the hump-ty-dump feel of the song somewhat takes away the great depths in the words. But I think the great liberation borne out by the lyrics justifies the manner of the music. Effectively, it is saying:
Everyone will open their doors to the good news of tidings
My paraphrase
To receive the Saviour’s offer of love
Each person coming to Jesus is a page in God’s plan
That God has been longing to welcome
Here is how the hymn begins, first verse and chorus
No other story will bear repeating As often as this is told; God's glad good news of His love to sinners Are tidings which never grow old. Chorus Tell it again and again, Tell it again and again, The Gospel story, of grace and glory, Bears telling again and again.
There is more to say about the hymn. But there is also more to say about the hymn writer Ada Habershon. You can find information about this hymn and Ada on the internet. Its full title is No Other Story Will Bear Repeating, though more commonly it is published with the title Tell It Again, from the chorus. The two words to focus on are grace and glory in Jesus available for all of us.
