"SOFTLY AND TENDERLY JESUS IS CALLING"

When the great preacher Dwight L. Moody lay on his death-bed in Northfield, Massachusetts, many years ago, Will Thompson, hymn writer and friend,  came to visit him. Taking the Ohio musician by the hand, Moody said: "Will, I would rather have written 'Softly and Tenderly Jesus Is Calling' than anything I have been able to do in my whole life."

This gospel hymn was the theme song for the Academy Award-winning movie "The Trip to Bountiful," 1985. It was also used in the memorial service for Dr. Martin Luther King, at the Ebenezer Baptist Church, Atlanta, Georgia, April 4, 1968. It has been in the movie "Junebug," "A Prairie Home Companion," (sung by Meryl Streep and Lily Tomlin), in the Anne Tyler novel, "The Accidental Tourist," and the TV series "True Blood."

In my many years of serving as a minister of music, and directing the music for 63 revivals and countless Sunday services, I have led "Softly and Tenderly" dozens of times. It was always one of my favorites--and one of the most touching of all the gospel hymns. It is a message that speaks to us of God's great love for us, calling us to repentance, to ask for forgiveness, and to "come home" to the eternal bosom of God.

"Softly and Tenderly" is rated high on the list of favorite hymns of Americans, along with "The Old Rugged Cross", "Amazing Grace" and "How Great Thou Art".

The writer of the hymn, William L. Thompson, was an American composer, most-noted for this hymn, "Softly and Tenderly Jesus Is Calling," said to have been translated into more languages than any other. He studied at the New England Conservatory of Music and also in Germany. He eventually owned the famous and prosperous  W.L. Thompson Music Company in East Liverpool, Ohio, which earned him a good living.  He was always known as a kind, quiet and unassuming gentleman, greatly loved by all.

Thompson is also known for writing "Jesus Is All the World to Me" and "Lead Me Gently Home, Father". 

The words to his fine gospel hymn are quoted here:

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.

Time is now fleeting, the moments are passing,
Passing from you and from me;
Shadows are gathering, deathbeds are coming,
Coming for you and for me.

Oh! for the wonderful love He has promised,
Promised for you and for me;
Tho' we have sinned He has mercy and pardon,
Pardon for you and for me.

Refrain:
Come home, come home.
Ye who are weary, come home;
Earnestly, tenderly Jesus is calling,
Calling, O sinner, come home.

Mark 10: 49, "He calleth thee."

The following clip is the closing scene from  "The Trip to Bountiful".   The song is sung by Cynthia Clawson.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAdn7ZSzVWw

Here is a link to two clips: one from the movie "Junebug", and one of the opening credits from "The Trip to Bountiful", in which Cynthia Clawson is singing the song with a different melody:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMNM1MO2Q8I

By Mil, 2-21-12


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