Softly and Tenderly was written by Will Lamartine Thompson in 1847. It is a lovely song to sing and I also really like playing it on the harp. The verses flow easily, but I think my favorite part to sing is the chorus.
I’m proud to say he grew up in my home state of Ohio, although he was born in Pennsylvania. He was a graduate of Boston Music School and then continued his musical studies in Germany. He wrote both secular songs and gospel hymns, and founded his own publishing company and music store. Along with this success, he has been described as having a gentle character, quiet humility, and devout faith. There are stories of him traveling by horse and buggy throughout small communities in Ohio to share his songs. You might also recognize one of his other hymns, Jesus Is All the World to Me. I grew up singing both of them.
Softly and Tenderly is often described as a lullaby, representing Jesus as a tender and caring figure. It has also been interpreted as an invitation to “come home” to join Jesus in Heaven. The hymn was included in the memorial service for Martin Luther King Jr. and was in the Oscar-winning movie The Trip to Bountiful.
Here are the lyrics:
Chorus: Come home, come home; you who are weary come home; earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling, calling for you and for me.
- Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling, calling for you and for me; see, on the portals he’s waiting and watching, watching for you and for me.
- Why should we tarry when Jesus is pleading, pleading for you and for me? Why should we linger and heed not his mercies, mercies for you and for me.
- O for the wonderful love he has promised, promised for you and for me! Though we have sinned, he has mercy and pardon, pardon for you and for me.
Here is one of my favorite recordings, but there are many out there.
I have played it in church, and it is one of my most requested harp pieces to date. I certainly can’t compete with Reba, but I think the music is lovely without the vocal part too.
For some of you this has probably been a walk down memory lane. For anyone that didn’t already know this hymn, I hope you have found it inspirational.