I was inspired by Sis. Eva’s great blog entry on I Corinthians 13. See it on her site at: Myblessings.wordpress.com. A friend of mine in MN, Ray, once sent me a tape of his guitar playing and his singing a song (that I had heard for my first time) that I’d like to share with you. I hope I have all the words right, but THIS is also based on I Corinthians 13:
Although I speak with the tongues
Of men and of angels
Although I prophesy
And understand all
Although I have all faith
That mountains could be removed
Although I feed the poor
And give of my life
CH: If I have not charity
If love does not flow through me
I am nothing
Jesus reduce me to love
Jesus reduce me to love
Love is patient and kind
And love is not envious
Not proud but gentle and meek
Seeks not its own way
Love sings when Jesus prevails
Believes and endures all things
Love hopes and bears every wrong
And love never fails
CHORUS
One season I was a child
I spake and thought as a child
But when I turned to a man
Such things put away
And now we see through a glass
But then we shall see face to face
Though now abide faith and hope
The greatest is love
Tommy Joe 
Tom,
I would love to hear Ray’s song. I second the motion.
Love,
‘lynnie
Carol: Now, let’s hope Ray reads this and will “grace us” with that song. I did it one time as a special up in WA, but I had no musical accompaniment. I probably didn’t do it justice.
IM sure it was a good post,im saying this becuse i didn’t read it.hehe
WHAT? You didn’t read it, Paul? Sis. Eva’ll be MAD! (That is, of course, if I tell her.) How much you give me if I DON’T????
I would love to hear the song and I am sure you will do it justice.
God Bless!
Hi! I just found your post. I have been searching for this song for several years. I believe the name is “Charity.” I heard it at a couple of weddings in 1973 and 1974 and have never heard it since.
I have searched the Internet for a couple of years looking for a source for the words, music, or a recording. People at church and other church groups I belong to have never heard of it. I would be most grateful to learn of a source for a recording and sheet music. Please send any information to me at bigjoe777@hotmail.com.
Thanks, and God bless.
Joe
I have grown up with this song it is part of a record that was produced in the early 1970’s called Charity, my mom thinks that it was created by a couple that was featured on the Lawrence Welk show but I am having trouble locating it on the web. I would be greatful if your friend could shed some light on this for me because I would like to find out if this record has been transfered into CD so that I can purchas copies for my family for Christmas. I highly recomend this record it is life changing and is produced to reflect Christs love for us.
Thanks,
Jenni
Thank you so much for you Dec 2006 Blog post regarding the song based upon 1 Corinthians 13. That verse has always been one of my favorites and after I saw a co-worker with an excerpt from that chapter on her desk, I hav had that song’s tune stuck in my head. I have been trying to find the lyrics because I hadn’t heard the song since the 70’s, when I was a child. Someone played it at church on a guitar and I had no reference other than my memory. I DO play the guitar and plan to recreate the chords from my memories of the tune. If you want, I will give you what I come up with when I am done. P.S, I also thought the song was titled “Charity” but God must be rekindling this memory because it is nothing short of a miracle that I recall the tune & the name. I was probably around twelve at the time. God Bless! JOSEPH
I figured out the guitar chords for the Charity song Thursday when I got home from work. I sent them to your sbcglobal email address, along with some information about my Christain roots.I also sent you someimportant scriptural information and teachings that I feel compelled to share with the Christian Community about these End Times. I have a lot more to share about this but due to time constraints and because I have enough to fill a book, I thought that I’d send it to you a little at a time. I will wait until you email me back before I send you anything else. Use my college email address (provided here) instead of my work email (provided earlier) because of the personal nature of this material. Love to all, JOSEPH
Hello,
I just got on the Net to search for this song, which I learnt as a 12 year old. Our Christian teacher taught it to us from memory. That was many years ago now, but I would love to find the sheet music, or a recording of it, or even guitar tabs.
I’d appreciate it if you could email me at bovermeire@iinet.net.au with any information.
Thanks,
Belinda
I heard this song with a friend of mine. I had been recently saved. My friend was in her mid twenties. This was song at her husband’s funeral. She gave me money she owed the Lord that helped me pay closing costs on my home. The day I moved in I called to have everyoine come to see what God had given to us, My mother told me my friend was dead. She was killed instantly by a drunk driver. I have always had people live with us because I know that is why God gave us this house. I have looked for years for this song. It would mean alot to hear it again. Thank you so much.
Wow. I can’t believe how hard it is to find a guitar tab of this song. I used to have the chords back 30 years ago. Now I’m starting back playing and would like to play this song. But I’m not the most musical and can’t just work them out.
Hopefully Joseph will see this, there hasn’t been any activity on this page since last October, and he can pass on the chords he has come up with.
Thanks. Doug
Hello, I have been singing a song that sounds very much like the one you are talking about. My words are a little different, but, it is taken from 1st Corinthians chapter 13…I have it on my computer, will be glad to send it to anyone that would like to hear it.
May God Bless You!
billy
bheddins@tcsmail.com
I grew up singing this song when I was in youth group. My best friend and I both played the guitar and would sing it around the campfire. 🙂
As I looked through the lyrics I realized that we did sing it a little differently and we always thought the title was Reduce Me To Love.
Reduce Me To Love
Although I speak with the tongues
Of men and of angels
Although I prophesy
And understand all
Although I have all faith
That mountains could be removed
And though I feed the poor
And give of my life
If I have not charity
If love does not flow through me
I am nothing
Jesus reduce me to love
Jesus reduce me to love
Love is patient and kind
Love is not envious
Never boastful or proud
Seeks not its own way
Love sings when Jesus prevails
Believes and endures all things
Love hopes and bears every wrong
And love never fails
If I have not charity
If love does not flow through me
I am nothing
Jesus reduce me to love
Jesus reduce me to love
One season I was a child
I spake and thought as a child
But when I turned to a man
Put such things aside.
And now we see through a glass
But then we shall see face to face
Though now abide hope and faith
But the greatest is love
If I have not charity
If love does not flow through me
I am nothing
Jesus reduce me to love
Jesus reduce me to love
I lost the guitar chords to this song that I used to play a long, long time ago. Can someone help me out? Email me at doug2@boaz.wvn.wvnet.edu. Thanks and God bless.
Memories flood back to me, this song with the exact lyrics was sung in my church and I am similarly looking for the guitar chords or a recording. If anyone has one, I would appreciate if you could please load onto Youtube.
thanks and God bless,
Wai-Lean
Could someone please send me the chords to the 1970’s song “Charity”. I’ve wanted to sing it for a very long time.
Thanks,
Joanne
The artist was Ken Gullikson, My mom had the album when I was younger, and I always loved the song.
I too loved this song as a teenager, and just recently
it started playing in my mind again. Our youth director at the time sang it with guitar at church several times, and also at camp. I think he learned it at Explo 72 in Dallas. I will contact him, and see if he will email me the chords, or even sing it, and send it to me by email. If he does I will let all of you know. Amazing song, isn’t it!
Peace,
Cheryl
I’ve uploaded a recording of this at http://silassnider.com/charity.mp3 for those of you that don’t have a copy.
I absolutely love this song. My mother had the original recording by Ken Gulliksen when I was growing up back in the 70s, and I’ve spent the past 2 years unsuccessfully trying to find a copy or even the music for it.
The song is available in a wedding songbook called From This Day Forward published by Fred Bock Music Company, ISBN 0634003445. Hope it’s the right one.
Kelly Willard has a new CD out called ‘Paga’ which has that song. She was a singer with Maranatha Music during that era when the song was written and she has a wonderful voice.
Here is her website: http://www.kellywillard.com
The CD is also available through Amazon and iTunes.
Ty for posting these lyrics, I learned this song back in the 70’s also while in Germany. The tune is so beautiful. Sue
I do know this song and remember it from the 70’s. Although I have never heard a recording it has stayed in my head and heart all these years. I do know the guitar chords and melody. I need to check copyright information before trying to post it or share it.
Hey Folks,
Jim Rule finally reached me about “Charity,” so I thought I’d check in! I’m Kenn Gulliksen and wrote the song “Charity” back about 1972 while an assistant pastor at Calvary Chapel, Costa Mesa, CA., under Chuck Smith. The Lord gave me the simple tune to the words Paul wrote in 1 Cor. 13 (basically C Em F C-Am, Em F G, chorus: Am Em, Am Em, Am E Am E Am Em F G). I was asked to record an album for Maranatha Music with “Charity” as the title song, and it came out in 1975 or 76. The Lord favored it, and it’s been recorded by many people and sung around the world – most recently recorded by Kelly Willard on “Paga” as someone noted. My wife and I went on to start the Vineyard Christian Fellowship in West L.A. in 1974, and after planting about 8 churches handed the “movement” over to John Wimber’s leading in 1982 while we continued planting churches. I’m very grateful and humbled God used this simple song in so many lives – but He wrote the words and let me add “Jesus, reduce me to love” to the chorus, so He gets all the credit. Thanks for the interest! Kenn
Hi there
I thought for over 30years that i was the only one who had this song ‘buzzing’ around in my ears!! First heard it in my teens and its still ‘buzzing’ now!!
Thanks kenn for the beauty and joy to so many of us, over all these years!!
joe(london u.k.)
p.s. Kenn is it you ‘singing’ on the original 1970’s recording??
cheers
Wow! Who would have thought??? I was in my 20’s – going through a crisis. I’m Catholic Christian and had a Christian Baptist roommate. We would tune in to a Christian Radio station in Amarillo in 1979 (WOW! 30 years ago) and every evening we’d request this song if we had not heard it before the night was over. I eventually went out and got the music – guitar music sheet and lyrics. I still have it – still love it as much as I did then. My roommate and I would pray together, read Scripture together and listen for Kenn’s “Charity” each evening. Kenn, GOd has blessed you with the gift of music. Continue to praise God in song! I do! I am now in fulltime ministry in the Catholic Church.
I love “Charity,” too, having first heard it on Jamie Owens’ (Collins) GROWING PAINS album, and chose it as one of my wedding songs, 26+ years ago. Thank you for being receptive to the Holy Spirit for that song, Rev. Kenn!
BTW, Cari, I am also now in full-time ministry in the Catholic Church, coordinating Christian education for adults. We aging “Jesus freaks” get around! 0:D
Kenn Gulliksen, could you please respond to this comment!!!? I have sang “charity” in weddings, churches, etc … but loaned your album out to a friend and have lost it. We had your songs played at our wedding in 1977.
please, please tell me how to get your original album… God has used that music is an amazing way!!
Anne Epperson — I’m not Kenn (though I know him and attended his Vineyard church for four years in 78-82), but I have also been trying to find this song as sung by him in digital form for years.
The best advice I can give, since Maranatha 2 (the album where this song was first published) is not in digital form, is to buy a vinyl copy of Maranatha 2 on ebay or elsewhere and then have someone convert the song from a record player to MP3.
http://74.125.155.132/search?q=cache:V91HR4dJ0l4J:www.amazon.com/Maranatha-2-Country-Faith/dp/B001E6QOD6+Charity+%22kenn+gulliksen%22&cd=10&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us
As a sidenote, I would LOVE to get copies of Maranatha 1, 2, and 3 in cd form, but they don’t seem to exist. I discarded my record player over 8 years ago… silly me.
I’ve loved this song and have sung and played it for years. I must have learned it at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa way back in the day, but never had a printed version or even a recording of it. I would love to record it myself.
Kenn Gulliksen here. Just checked in after nine months – so blessed to read the notes! Two answers to questions about the song and album, “Charity.” Yes, I sang all the songs on the album. And there is no place to get a CD version currently (apart from the Kelly Willard CD that included the song). But my dear friend, Chuck Girard (from Love Song) made a clean digital copy of the album for me – and if you guys are interested I’d be happy to send you a free copy (my wife can burn them on our lttle home machine). I remain amazed the Lord has used this song, but then He wrote the words. If you’d like a copy (no fancy cover, just a CD with magic marker!) you can email me at kenngulliksen@gmail.com and I’ll be glad to send one on to you (again, free). And no follow up emails from me – I don’t keep lists. And may you enjoy a wonderful celebration of our Messiah’s birth!
Thanks for the interest, in His magnificent love –
Kenn(and Joanie) Gulliksen
I found the guitar chords at this site, which seems like they have also produced their own recording of it on an album…haven’t gotten so far as to check that out yet…the song ‘Charity’ is listed as their number 3. http://goldenlifechristiancenters.org/AllGlorytoHim.pdf
yep- definitely on CD- $10 via mail-in form… http://goldenlifechristiancenters.org/allglorytohim.html
Kelly Willard’s version is lovely-
available on itunes here-
http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=267613598&s=143441
(moderator- sorry for my brief choppy posts- trying to work and surg at the same time- you are welcome to combine all my posts into one)
As the Vietnam experience climaxed in 1974 & 1975, I served as an Airman on Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. In my off-duty time I tried to help a little bit at the “New Wine Coffe-House” where I heard the song, lyrics exactly as written above (I believe). The version I heard was on a LP record, and the singer was a man with a voice tending to the baritone. Musical accompaniment was thrillingly wide in range, and the chorus strongly sung. There may have been a hint of female addition, but I’ve slept since then.
Perhaps someone will rediscover this nameless album.
Dave W.
I took Kenn up on his offer stated above of a copy of the album…
and knew I had to share this song with a wider audience so I made a simple music video which you can find here:
Very nice job, Cara – thanks so much for making it available. I hope it will be an answer to many folks looking for the song!
God bless you as you enjoy His love,
Kenn
Kenn,
looking for the rest of those “annointed” songs from your “Charity” album..
Anne
I wanted to use it in at church as a reading – check out an old hymn book called scripture prasie #92 it is the words and the music
Scripture Praise 1978 by Lexicon Music, Inc
Hope this helps!
Thanks for making this wonderful song available. Peace and blessings, Carol
my mom & her “band” used to sing this when I was LITTLE (I am 42 now) we still sing it all the time. I had it put on a cd from tape years ago, but it won’t upload on to the computer. If I can ever figure out out to do it, I will send it to you. It’s such a BEAUTIFUL song!
Wow! My wife was remembering this song and wanted to use it in her sermon this Sunday but wasn’t quite sure of the lyrics. A few moments after my GOOGLE search on “if I have not charity lyrics” I arrived here at this thread and have enjoyed reading all the comments. My wife is thrilled that she has the correct lyrics and we listened to Kenn singing his song. Beautifully done, Kenn! God does work in mysterious ways (and through the internet also!) Blessings to all, Raymond
When I was a small child in the late 70’s and very early 80’s, my father pastored a small church plant in CA. During the week, we hosted a Bible study and my dad would play his guitar and we would sing praise songs. This was always one of my favorites, and it has stuck with me for 30 years. After years of looking for this off and on, it’s nice to finally find this.
Wow, thank you for putting up this song – I’ve only been able to remember the chorus since I was little.
Wow,
Thank you Cara, Kenn, and everyone. I am so grateful to God to have this song back in my life.
Kenn, what about the rest of the great songs that were on the “Charity” album???
Anne and Kerry Epperson
FYI, Kelly Willard’s version from the Paga album is also on Amazon MP3, so that’s a quick way to get it via MP3.
Looks like it’s up on youtube with some video too:
Does anyone know where I can get either sheet music or an accopamiment CD of this tremendous song”