Deep is the love of Jesus

As if taking up the theme of 325 (cf also 426), Olive and Noel Allsup have related it specifically to the cross, encapsulating in a few lines of their song many of the details of the crucifixion of Jesus as narrated in the 4 Gospels. In particular, one pair of vivid allusions is used as the climax of each of the 3 stzs. The basic words and music were characteristically composed by Olive while driving, sung into a pocket tape and adapted by Noel for performance. Their joint composition was first used in 1997 at Woodgreen Evangelical Church (FIEC) in Worcs to whom they assigned the copyright. It was offered to the editors as this book was being prepared. One textual change was mutually agreed, in the form of a rewritten final line or coda. The tune’s name CARVAN combines those of their daughters Caroline and Vanessa.

b Leominster, Herefordshire 1938. Leominster Grammar Sch; she works as a self-employed retailer. Beginning to write song lyrics and music in 1994, she would often sing into a pocket taperecorder while driving; her husband Noel (see below) then adapts them for performance. 12 hymns and choruses had been written up to 2001; their first joint publication, first sung in 1997, is in Praise! No.416.

b Haslingden, Lancs 1930. Haslingden Grammar Sch and Univ of Edinburgh; qualified as veterinary surgeon (BVMS, MRCVS, BVSM, Dip Adv Portuguese). With his wife Olive (see above), whose songs and hymns he arranges, he belongs to Woodgreen Evangelical Church, Worcs (FIEC), where he has a leading role. Not to be confused with the American country/pop singer (and Buddy Holly associate) Tommy Allsup. No.416.