This song is so precious to me because, before my brother came home and repented, before he died, I had a dream I was singing this song with a choir behind me. I saw my brother in a coffin, but I was happy. Later I understood the dream when I heard from my niece, who gave me the news, and told me how he repented.. Praise God!
@najazattoni Oh! That just catches my heart! …so very precious ….and so very close to the testimony of my own brother ….who was caught in terrible bondage, and after much substance abuse died of heart failure…The Lord always had me sing this song in prayer over him…from 100’s of miles away…One day the Lord showed me the deposit of light that an angel was able to make into his mind with this “offering of Light”…I had a miraculous affirmation too, from someone who didn’t even know him, the day after his death, that he was safely at Home with the LORD! Our God is so very merciful and tender….His GREAT Love for us unfathomable Joy Blessings to you!
I've sung this from a young child in church. When as an older adult I was diagnosed with a rare brain degeneration disease this song hit me with greater understanding. I am more than my disease so I try to use my condition as a witness and for God's glory. Yes, like you I see it as a song of good news. Thanks for your work, Luke.
I was raised in an Italian Evangelical church … my parents immigrated to the US and landed in St Louis on The Hill … where Italian immigrants found a home. But Peter Ottelini evangelized the area receiving the Holy Spirit and a small group left the Catholic Church and started the only non-Catholic church on The Hill. At the end of our services we kneeled to pray and they would sing this song for anyone who wanted to receive or return to Jesus privately. So many times as a wild 60’s teenager I sang that song to Jesus with constant forgiveness and acceptance back from my sweet Jesus!! ❤❤❤
I clearly remember this song. Out of 12 foster homes I was blessed to be in a Baptist minister’s home from 4-8 years old. I met a gentle savior in that home and scriptures and songs in my heart. I had no more safe and good homes after that. The verses from the Bible and and the precious hymns helped remind me Jesus loved me.
What you went through is heart braking specially at such tender age! There is a song entitled "I just want to thank you lord" by Angie Sutherland In one of the lines of the song it says; ...He's made good times out number the bad Been the best friend that I've ever had... May God make the good things that happend to you to out number the bad things that come in your life!
I was raised Catholic. My grandma took me to the Free Methodist. This is where I first heard the song. It was my first invitational song I had ever heard. In the Catholic Church we never sang any songs. This occured about 1966 and the Lord started to draw me at the age of 10. The song was easy to sing, like I had known it forever. God has been home to me for over 50 years. Thank you for sharing this story.
We sang this in the little Baptist church that I grew up in. I thank God for saving my grandparents, who then started taking my mom to church when she was in about 8th or 9th grade. Then praise God, He saved her, & she & my father took my brother & I to church Sunday morning, Sunday night, & Wednesday night. I was saved at the tender age of 7, but I remember how this song used to stir my soul to its depths! Even as a babe I could feel the Holy Spirit move during this song and a few others that I hold dear to my heart. My father later left us when I was 11 for a much younger woman, completely left my brother & I as well & adopted her children. We had been a "Leave it to Beaver" family until then (I'm much too young to have seen the show, but that's what everyone called us), so I didn't understand. My mom still took us to church every time the doors were opened & my brother received Christ when He was 13. So, I just praise God for her dedication in making sure her children came to know Him, which could've only come through Him! I knew that I had a Father who would never leave me nor forsake me & loved me more than I could ever imagine because my parents made sure I knew Him, then my mom continued to keep us in church & teach us about His love. I have a Heavenly Father who loved me so much that He sent His only begotten Son, knowing the horrors He would endure, to this earth to live a perfect, sinless life, then He took on MY sin on the cross of Calvary, enduring the separation from the Father as He was tortured & died. Jesus, my Savior, went into Sheol for 3 days & nights, taking captivity captive & the keys to Death & Hell & rose again to everlasting life on the 3rd day. Praise God! My Father loved me so much that He created this plan of redemption before He even created Adam, knowing there would be a fall. He knew all of the sins I would commit in my life & still offered me eternal life through Jesus that I took as a free gift at the age of 7. Just thinking that the Creator of Heaven & earth, the Alpha & the Omega, God Almighty, cared about me, wanted me as His daughter called to me, "Softly & Tenderly," He was waiting & watching as the Holy Spirit drew my heart to Him, just blows my mind. He knew how much I would need Him in my life as I have a genetic neutrophil defect that will take my life perhaps before my 12-year-old son graduates. That's ok because "time is now fleeting, moments are passing from me... shadows are gathering, deathbeds are coming, coming for you and me," I will not fear. This song just has so much comfort for every time I've been so close to death & miserable, & I'm sure that's true for so many people!
21years and jesus has delivered me from bitterness and unforgivness ... and he has rescued me from hell and he has called me to spread his grace in love. Thank you Jesus.
Sent this song for a couple that came from Ohio to Florida, they became believers, since the pastor of our church moved on the pandemic, they stopped going to church, now are used on not going to worship on Sundays…
I too sang this in Church growing up and tried to play it falteringly on the piano at home and sang. I am now 75 and going through a very difficult time. I havent been able to watch the news or read the paper for several weeks because it it is too sad. Two nights ago while my husband was watching the news i put the headphones on and found this song on a spotify list played by Joshua David Harris on hymns for piano. I was sitting in font of a jigsaw putting the pieces together slowly as I listened. The music reached down deep inside me and brought a peace and joy to me in my troubled state. I played it over and over again, along with other hymns by the same pianist, for an hour or so and emerged in a very different phase of mind and heart. I was so weary but was refreshed immensely. Since then I have kept coming back to this song and sing it as a prayer for one friend in particular that I long to come to know Jesus. I believe she will even though she says He is not for her. I highly recommend you google and listen to this man as he plays piano in an anointed way. I have recently started piano lessons again and want to see if I can get hold of the sheet music of Joshua's music, for this song, and others so I can play them as he does. They so bless me. Thank you for sharing some of the history of this song.
I learned this and almost all of our beautiful hymns as an adult also. I was not raised in church and was saved in my early 30s. Worshipping God in hymn/song is such a delight to my soul. Softly and Tenderly is one of the first I learned when I began studying as part of my daily worship. Great Channel 🙏🏼
I had a cassette tape by Christy Lane in the 80s. It was on there. I was going through a rough time and the songs on there calmed my mind. Thankyou for sharing these songs and the history.
Lovely! I would sometimes sing the first verse and chorus to my chidren at bedtime whilst trying to reinforce the message of Salvation. One died at 16 but he went home to Jesus. Its a powerful hymn,makes me cry.
I just found your channel today. Before my mom died 2 years ago, she loved hearing the stories behind the hymns. She got me interested in them, too. So now I feel blessed to hear this because not only do they remind me of God's love, but they also remind me of my mom and how she would have loved hearing about all these beautiful hymns.
Sometime, somewhere I heard this melody. Then it disappeared. I never knew the lyrics until just now. And, out of the blue it seems the „soft and tender“ invitation of Jesus cannot be overheard. It is so beautiful a hymn that the lyrics would melt even the hardest of hearts. Thank you Luke for sharing this timeless gem!!🙏
This song was played and sang as the invitation hymn at my home church on July 7, 1963. That day I was baptized into Christ and made a commitment to serve God throughout my life.
so appreciate hearing about the history of this song. so thankful to have the words and the meaning of this song, so deep and inspiring, sure love how you brought out the "Earnest" part.. wow Jesus is Earnestly calling us Home..
My sister and I are both in our 80's and this morning we were talking about funerals. She said that she thought she would like to have "Softly and Tenderly" sung at her funeral. (Hopefully, not for a while yet) It is a hymn that we both remember from childhood, as is was always sung at First Communion Masses in our church. I still play the organ at church and somewhere have a handwritten copy from the 1950's. As I couldn't put my hands on it I thought I would check out the internet and was surprised to find so many renditions . From memory we only sang two verses and the words were altered, with the last line "Calling my child, come to me", making it more appropriate for a First Communion. I was particularly interested to hear the history of Will Thompson, as we also have Thompsons in our ancestors. Thank you.
Certainly one of my favorite songs. I developed more love for it when I was in the Seminary. I remember going to the Church when it was all quiet on campus, and I would play this song on the piano for several times among other hymns. I still love listening and singing it over and over again. There is indeed, the power of God's Love that flows with it. A real great song of all time!
This song has always resonated with me..I never knew exactly why. I’m Dutch and I used to sing it as a child, phonetically. Because of you and your explanation, now I know what it is: it is almost too tender to sing it…..touched within…thank you ❤
❤First Time I Remember Hearing This Was At My Great Grandmother's Funeral In Aug Of 1968. I Was Only 10 yrs Old Then. I Have Played It Many Times As My Grandmother, And Mother Did, And Other's As Well. No Telling How Many Funerals It Has Been Played At. I'm Only Guessing It's In The Millions World Wide. It's A Beautiful Hymn. I Never Knew The Man Who Wrote It, His Last Name Is Thompson . That Was My Grandma's Married Name And Of Course Mama's Maiden Name. It's Is Because He Still Lives On In Heaven With Jesus And All His Love One's. Thank You For Sharing The History On This Beautiful Heart Touching And Comforting Hymn. Blessings For You and Your Family For Today And The Coming Week As Well....AMEN 🤲😇✝️☦🛐🌺💐💖🇺🇸🖐
The first time I remember this song was when I watched the movie "A Trip to Bountiful." The song played during the closing credits beautifully rendered by Cynthia Clawson. I was mesmerized. So lovely and heartfelt.
Our little church still sings these precious old hymns, which to me have deep emotional meanings that the Holy Spirit can speak to your spirit. I praise God as I sing them.
I remember singing this song in church ever since I was a child. (I am now almost 70.) As you described, it was often sung during the altar call, or "invitation." Coming home is such a powerful image. When we are weary and need to rest, we want to go HOME. And when we reach the end of life, we are eager to GO HOME to be with Jesus. It's one of the most beautiful songs ever, and I want it to be played at my funeral. I also love that it was used as the opening theme song of the wonderful movie "The Trip to Bountiful" in 1985, sung by the wonderful gospel vocalist, Cynthia Clawson.
I was 40 when I believed, and didn't know any hymns. I learned them and now my church with a new pastor does three old hymns and four newer praise songs without much melody to them. With the internet one can keep learning new songs. I can't say I have a favorite.
A beautiful old hymn and totally timeless. It meant a lot to me when I was born again at 16. It was used regularly as an invitation hymn in the little Baptist church that I attended. It has always moved me deeply.
This hymn takes me back into my childhood to little campmeetings I would be at. As a preacher's kid I attended a lot of camps and revivals. I remember this song being sung after the preacher had delivered a very solemn sermon. The conviction was so think it was hard to breath. GOD was there convicting hearts. People at the alter praying. I miss those days.
Musical composition is one thing and must reflect the mood and understanding of the writer in order to be fully appreciated. It is obvious that the writer, composer knows exactly what he is trying to convey to you the listener. When we speak of this type of musical compilation and words hymn so to speak, the person is moved by the Spirits prompting and is intimate with the word of God. This man is certainly familiar with God's word and becomes a living musical hymn unmatched and like God's word everlasting and timeless, outside the bubble of this world.
I grew up singing hymns in an Ohio church and attended summer meetings , with a lot of singing these old hymns. Now I'm in a church that doesn"t do the hymns, except rarely. Miss "em!
I have loved this song for the past 52 years, since the first time I heard it in college as a lost soul. Thank you for your tender presentation. Simply divine.
Thank you so much for showing this song. At 13 I was to be baptised and I had to choose a song for the congregation to sing. Yes I chose this song because I longed for God to give me comfort as I drew closer to Him, desiring to follow God and see His care for me even though I was nervous of getting closer to God.
Growing up In the new apostolic church we used to sing this song all the time. Over the years we’ve sang it pianissimo and allegro depending on the choir leader. No matter how we sang it just a loved favourite ❤. Thank you for this greetings from Canada!!!
I have sung this hymn at the deathbed on my parents and in-laws and aunt just as they about to pass from this world to the next. At that point, I am singing the words with the thought that Jesus is waiting for us to join him in heaven.
Oh what wonderful memories of this hymn sung in my youth with my parents in church. When I hear this hymn I think of the Prodigal son’s father waiting on him to return. I picture God and His love beseeching each of us to “come home.” These old hymns are filled with such wonderful memories and gospel truths. God is truly blessing this ministry of yours. Thank you.
Thank you for this Hymn. I love it. Christ doesn't force Himself but waits patiently for you and me to invite Him to our hearts. May we all allow Jesus into our lives. He desires us to be His children. Come home to Him now while it is called today.
This beautiful and meaningful song was one of the songs we sang in our Baptist church during invitation after the Pastor’s message. Brings unforgettable memories. Thank you for taking the time to tell us of it’s precious history and for your biblical teachings.
Growing up in the Church of the Nazarene in Long Island, New York I recall that this hymn as a favorite among evangelists as an invitational song to the alter. I completely agree with your appreciation but as a child I can recall suffering through this and hoping the service will soon be over. At the time, it’s use seemed seemed manipulative, but, of course I wonder what my heart state was back then. Now at 67 it speaks of the home we who follow Christ are all laboring towards.
I have witnessed many going to the altar to receive Christ while this song played....more than any other song! It is truly a soft, tender, urgent call to repentance and salvation.
I grew up in Southern Baptist churches. I don't say I was raised in them, because my parents never went. We moved several times when I was young and i always looked for the closest church. I think it was more of an escape from my home and a place to find acceptance. But this was one of the main invitational songs, along with "Just As I Am." So this song brings back lots of memories for me!
I knew this song as a child in childrens choir and liked it , but it really developed a lot of meaning to me after it was sung at my grandmothers funeral, and then in my own journey to Christ it deepened its meaning for me. Absolutely beautiful song!!
We used to sing this song at St. Andrews Presbyterian church in Germiston, accompanied by Barry Taylor on the organ. And I remember also as a child, the Afrikaans version.
Hi Luke, thank you for yet another beautiful hymn on Classic Friday. I love this old hymn, remember it all the years growing up, have always sang it in church, but only as I got older did the words strike a cord for me.... The picture of Jesus softly calling for me, always tenderly.....it is very special, and He waits for all to come home. Beautiful, beautiful words of Jesus great love for all of us. Blessings Luke.
I love this hymn. I remember it from my childhood and my Moma sang it. We went to a rural Baptis hymn!! I am so joy filled with sweet memories when I hear them! They are still full of power!!!
This song is my favorite of all the old hymns. This song was sung at most of the end of church services. This hymn was a call for acceptance of Jesus Christ and the only song I enjoyed singing because I felt like he was calling out to me personally.
I'm absolutely sure I've heard this song at funerals or in church a child and this song was in the movie Urban Cowboy in the early 80s and I believe that's when it truly had an impact on me as we watched that movie a lot as kids. And probably like many is my personal go to song in times of grief
I loved this hymn growing up in the south of England.... beautiful and so tender. Thank you for your lovely presentation. So nice to hear of the background.
Thank you, you played and sang that so wonderfully. Jesus is so full of love for the human race, His people, that that song is a yearning for not one of them perish. My heart breaks at His longing in that beautiful hymn.
So far, including this song I have sang all these hymns at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I love to sing praises to the Lord and these songs are just so beautiful! Thank you so much for bringing me so much joy and listening to them again and hearing you sing!
Jesus is the Creator of heaven and earth... "All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made." He is not the brother of Lucifer.
I really love this song! Since I was a little girl, my daddy would sing the hymns with us three girls. We would sing in harmony with each other. We had such joy singing them together, we could not stop laughing from the joy overflowing. I have fond memories of many hymns and this one always touches my heart. Thank you for this ministry of song you are sharing on UA-cam! Blessings and peace to you!
Softly and Tenderly was often sung following a sermon as an invitation for unbelievers to repent! It is one of the most beautiful and heart touching songs, when sung with reverence! One of my favorite hymns! It is truly sad that it is rarely heard nowadays!
Thank you for giving the hymns a chance....si many who grew up as you did without the hymns want nothing to do with them because they are too slow....while it is good to sliw down because the words are so meaningful.😊
I always love to sing this in our home church❤❤❤. Yes really it is meant for you and for me that Jesus Christ the Yeshua Yahushua is watching and calling, gently and tenderly waiting for his people to come home.
Another lovely old hymn that sadly isn't in our new hymnbooks (I just had a look). It amazes me how you can have nearly 800 hymns in a book and miss a beauty like this. It also doesn't have some of the best modern hymns either.
I first heard this on an Amy Grant CD and absolutely loved it, even though she only sang the 1st 2 verses. God really touched my heart. Later when I sang it to my Mum, she sang along and told me that she had sung it at Sunday school and also revival meetings in Australia. This would have been in the 1920s. I was touched by Jesus standing lovingly at the portal calling to all us sinners to come to Him. Thank you for your commentary about those of us who are weary trying to live life in our own strength. It's so interesting to hear the background to these hy.ns and their writers. Blessings
It’s hard for me to imagine growing up in a church that didn’t sing many hymns. I love the them so much. I have always heard them growing and my church still does. I go to The Church of the Nazarene. I love your videos of these hymns.
Luke, good morning from a showery Lagos! This is another CLASSIC across many, many Baptist Churches. I sang this from very young, and the words still resonate ever so clearly... but I really like the way you link the central theme in this amazing hymn to the story of the prodigal son… who despite his plight CHOOSE by himself to come back to his father… The rest of the story I think illustrates the unconceivable love of our Father, His Grace and the redemption of MANKIND through Jesus Christ His son who speaks… in a soft, earnest and tender voice... calling… So, so powerful!!!
This song is so precious to me because, before my brother came home and repented, before he died, I had a dream I was singing this song with a choir behind me. I saw my brother in a coffin, but I was happy. Later I understood the dream when I heard from my niece, who gave me the news, and told me how he repented.. Praise God!
❤
Praise God
@najazattoni Oh! That just catches my heart! …so very precious ….and so very close to the testimony of my own brother ….who was caught in terrible bondage, and after much substance abuse died of heart failure…The Lord always had me sing this song in prayer over him…from 100’s of miles away…One day the Lord showed me the deposit of light that an angel was able to make into his mind with this “offering of Light”…I had a miraculous affirmation too, from someone who didn’t even know him, the day after his death, that he was safely at Home with the LORD! Our God is so very merciful and tender….His GREAT Love for us unfathomable Joy Blessings to you!
Thanks for sharing this heart-touching account. God is so kind and merciful.
My neither. Just before he died had become saved. I thank God.
I've sung this from a young child in church. When as an older adult I was diagnosed with a rare brain degeneration disease this song hit me with greater understanding. I am more than my disease so I try to use my condition as a witness and for God's glory. Yes, like you I see it as a song of good news. Thanks for your work, Luke.
I was raised in an Italian Evangelical church … my parents immigrated to the US and landed in St Louis on The Hill … where Italian immigrants found a home. But Peter Ottelini evangelized the area receiving the Holy Spirit and a small group left the Catholic Church and started the only non-Catholic church on The Hill. At the end of our services we kneeled to pray and they would sing this song for anyone who wanted to receive or return to Jesus privately. So many times as a wild 60’s teenager I sang that song to Jesus with constant forgiveness and acceptance back from my sweet Jesus!! ❤❤❤
I clearly remember this song. Out of 12 foster homes I was blessed to be in a Baptist minister’s home from 4-8 years old. I met a gentle savior in that home and scriptures and songs in my heart. I had no more safe and good homes after that. The verses from the Bible and and the precious hymns helped remind me Jesus loved me.
What you went through is heart braking specially at such tender age!
There is a song entitled "I just want to thank you lord" by Angie Sutherland
In one of the lines of the song it says;
...He's made good times out number the bad
Been the best friend that I've ever had...
May God make the good things that happend to you to out number the bad things that come in your life!
God bless you dear ❤
It’s heart breaking to know so many children go through this 🙏
Wish minister could have adopted you! Glad to gear a positive story about a church leader!!
I was raised Catholic. My grandma took me to the Free Methodist. This is where I first heard the song. It was my first invitational song I had ever heard. In the Catholic Church we never sang any songs. This occured about 1966 and the Lord started to draw me at the age of 10. The song was easy to sing, like I had known it forever. God has been home to me for over 50 years. Thank you for sharing this story.
We sang this in the little Baptist church that I grew up in. I thank God for saving my grandparents, who then started taking my mom to church when she was in about 8th or 9th grade. Then praise God, He saved her, & she & my father took my brother & I to church Sunday morning, Sunday night, & Wednesday night. I was saved at the tender age of 7, but I remember how this song used to stir my soul to its depths! Even as a babe I could feel the Holy Spirit move during this song and a few others that I hold dear to my heart. My father later left us when I was 11 for a much younger woman, completely left my brother & I as well & adopted her children. We had been a "Leave it to Beaver" family until then (I'm much too young to have seen the show, but that's what everyone called us), so I didn't understand. My mom still took us to church every time the doors were opened & my brother received Christ when He was 13. So, I just praise God for her dedication in making sure her children came to know Him, which could've only come through Him! I knew that I had a Father who would never leave me nor forsake me & loved me more than I could ever imagine because my parents made sure I knew Him, then my mom continued to keep us in church & teach us about His love. I have a Heavenly Father who loved me so much that He sent His only begotten Son, knowing the horrors He would endure, to this earth to live a perfect, sinless life, then He took on MY sin on the cross of Calvary, enduring the separation from the Father as He was tortured & died. Jesus, my Savior, went into Sheol for 3 days & nights, taking captivity captive & the keys to Death & Hell & rose again to everlasting life on the 3rd day. Praise God! My Father loved me so much that He created this plan of redemption before He even created Adam, knowing there would be a fall. He knew all of the sins I would commit in my life & still offered me eternal life through Jesus that I took as a free gift at the age of 7. Just thinking that the Creator of Heaven & earth, the Alpha & the Omega, God Almighty, cared about me, wanted me as His daughter called to me, "Softly & Tenderly," He was waiting & watching as the Holy Spirit drew my heart to Him, just blows my mind. He knew how much I would need Him in my life as I have a genetic neutrophil defect that will take my life perhaps before my 12-year-old son graduates. That's ok because "time is now fleeting, moments are passing from me... shadows are gathering, deathbeds are coming, coming for you and me," I will not fear. This song just has so much comfort for every time I've been so close to death & miserable, & I'm sure that's true for so many people!
I love the way Luke Powell uses hymns to preach God's love to us. The Holy Spirit shines through you Luke. Thank you.
21years and jesus has delivered me from bitterness and unforgivness ... and he has rescued me from hell and he has called me to spread his grace in love.
Thank you Jesus.
Amen. Glory be to GOD!
What a beautiful song. How it is
Sent this song for a couple that came from Ohio to Florida, they became believers, since the pastor of our church moved on the pandemic, they stopped going to church, now are used on not going to worship on Sundays…
Still praying for my twin brother to "come home" to Jesus . We will be 80 on September 1, 2023....
We were both in church from babyhood....he heard the Word and all these hymns as well...
Praying for your brother and my two brothers. 87 yrs & 86 yrs. Claiming His promises. Acts 16:31
I sing solos in church quite often. I usually give the story of the songs. There are some wonderful stories out there! Beautifully done!!
I sang this song as a child. I have always loved it.
I too sang this in Church growing up and tried to play it falteringly on the piano at home and sang. I am now 75 and going through a very difficult time. I havent been able to watch the news or read the paper for several weeks because it it is too sad. Two nights ago while my husband was watching the news i put the headphones on and found this song on a spotify list played by Joshua David Harris on hymns for piano. I was sitting in font of a jigsaw putting the pieces together slowly as I listened. The music reached down deep inside me and brought a peace and joy to me in my troubled state. I played it over and over again, along with other hymns by the same pianist, for an hour or so and emerged in a very different phase of mind and heart. I was so weary but was refreshed immensely.
Since then I have kept coming back to this song and sing it as a prayer for one friend in particular that I long to come to know Jesus. I believe she will even though she says He is not for her.
I highly recommend you google and listen to this man as he plays piano in an anointed way. I have recently started piano lessons again and want to see if I can get hold of the sheet music of Joshua's music, for this song, and others so I can play them as he does. They so bless me.
Thank you for sharing some of the history of this song.
What a wonderful testimony. I am 59 and was wondering f it is too late to learn piano. You have inspired me to try. X
It's fun to createtunes. Give it a go.
One of my favorites. Beautifully written
I learned this and almost all of our beautiful hymns as an adult also. I was not raised in church and was saved in my early 30s. Worshipping God in hymn/song is such a delight to my soul. Softly and Tenderly is one of the first I learned when I began studying as part of my daily worship. Great Channel 🙏🏼
I'm 73 , grew up with this Hymn ❤
I had a cassette tape by Christy Lane in the 80s. It was on there. I was going through a rough time and the songs on there calmed my mind. Thankyou for sharing these songs and the history.
Lovely! I would sometimes sing the first verse and chorus to my chidren at bedtime whilst trying to reinforce the message of Salvation. One died at 16 but he went home to Jesus. Its a powerful hymn,makes me cry.
I want to compliment you @mirgaretha907 and pray those seeds you planted have grown into well planted people bearing great fruit. Be a blessing.
@@mikenixon2401 thank you but its only by God's Grace!
Amen @@margaretha907
I just found your channel today. Before my mom died 2 years ago, she loved hearing the stories behind the hymns. She got me interested in them, too. So now I feel blessed to hear this because not only do they remind me of God's love, but they also remind me of my mom and how she would have loved hearing about all these beautiful hymns.
Sometime, somewhere I heard this melody. Then it disappeared. I never knew the lyrics until just now. And, out of the blue it seems the „soft and tender“ invitation of Jesus cannot be overheard. It is so beautiful a hymn that the lyrics would melt even the hardest of hearts. Thank you Luke for sharing this timeless gem!!🙏
So beautiful. Reminds me so much of church as a youngster with my parents who are now home with The Lord. ❤️🙏
This song was played and sang as the invitation hymn at my home church on July 7, 1963. That day I was baptized into Christ and made a commitment to serve God throughout my life.
so appreciate hearing about the history of this song. so thankful to have the words and the meaning of this song, so deep and inspiring, sure love how you brought out the "Earnest" part.. wow Jesus is Earnestly calling us Home..
My sister and I are both in our 80's and this morning we were talking about funerals. She said that she thought she would like to have "Softly and Tenderly" sung at her funeral. (Hopefully, not for a while yet) It is a hymn that we both remember from childhood, as is was always sung at First Communion Masses in our church. I still play the organ at church and somewhere have a handwritten copy from the 1950's. As I couldn't put my hands on it I thought I would check out the internet and was surprised to find so many renditions . From memory we only sang two verses and the words were altered, with the last line "Calling my child, come to me", making it more appropriate for a First Communion. I was particularly interested to hear the history of Will Thompson, as we also have Thompsons in our ancestors. Thank you.
Beautiful. Thanks for the song and the history
Certainly one of my favorite songs. I developed more love for it when I was in the Seminary. I remember going to the Church when it was all quiet on campus, and I would play this song on the piano for several times among other hymns. I still love listening and singing it over and over again. There is indeed, the power of God's Love that flows with it. A real great song of all time!
I grew up in a methodist church. Our choir would sing it as an invitation number whenever we had evangelistic services. Greetings from Chile.
This song has always resonated with me..I never knew exactly why. I’m Dutch and I used to sing it as a child, phonetically. Because of you and your explanation, now I know what it is: it is almost too tender to sing it…..touched within…thank you ❤
❤First Time I Remember Hearing This Was At My Great Grandmother's Funeral In Aug Of 1968. I Was Only 10 yrs Old Then. I Have Played It Many Times As My Grandmother, And Mother Did, And Other's As Well. No Telling How Many Funerals It Has Been Played At. I'm Only Guessing It's In The Millions World Wide. It's A Beautiful Hymn. I Never Knew The Man Who Wrote It, His Last Name Is Thompson . That Was My Grandma's Married Name And Of Course Mama's Maiden Name. It's Is Because He Still Lives On In Heaven With Jesus And All His Love One's. Thank You For Sharing The History On This Beautiful Heart Touching And Comforting Hymn. Blessings For You and Your Family For Today And The Coming Week As Well....AMEN 🤲😇✝️☦🛐🌺💐💖🇺🇸🖐
I grew up in a Church with its own hymns. I first learned this beautiful hymn when I began attending Charismatic meetings in the 1970’s.
The first time I remember this song was when I watched the movie "A Trip to Bountiful." The song played during the closing credits beautifully rendered by Cynthia Clawson. I was mesmerized. So lovely and heartfelt.
That's one of my favorite movies!
"Oh, Lutie, have you ever seen a sky so blue?" 😢
Some of the words to this hymn were also sung in the movie “A Case for Christ”.
You say the words so easily and loving to all of us who are listening. 😢
I think I've sung this song at all the churches I've attended. It's a great invitational song. Live it
Love
Our little church still sings these precious old hymns, which to me have deep emotional meanings that the Holy Spirit can speak to your spirit. I praise God as I sing them.
As a child, we had a record by Tennesee Erny Ford, and this one was my late dad and my absolute favorite.❤
I remember singing this song in church ever since I was a child. (I am now almost 70.) As you described, it was often sung during the altar call, or "invitation." Coming home is such a powerful image. When we are weary and need to rest, we want to go HOME. And when we reach the end of life, we are eager to GO HOME to be with Jesus. It's one of the most beautiful songs ever, and I want it to be played at my funeral. I also love that it was used as the opening theme song of the wonderful movie "The Trip to Bountiful" in 1985, sung by the wonderful gospel vocalist, Cynthia Clawson.
I was 40 when I believed, and didn't know any hymns. I learned them and now my church with a new pastor does three old hymns and four newer praise songs without much melody to them. With the internet one can keep learning new songs. I can't say I have a favorite.
Yes, I used to listen to the hymn when I used to go to church as a kid I am now 74 years old, and I still love listening to it
Breathless………….❤
I have sang this song my whole life, and it never fails to touch my heart. ❤
A beautiful old hymn and totally timeless. It meant a lot to me when I was born again at 16. It was used regularly as an invitation hymn in the little Baptist church that I attended. It has always moved me deeply.
Thankyou for this beautiful rendition of this lovely hymn.I sang along with you.Bless you brother.
This hymn takes me back into my childhood to little campmeetings I would be at. As a preacher's kid I attended a lot of camps and revivals. I remember this song being sung after the preacher had delivered a very solemn sermon. The conviction was so think it was hard to breath. GOD was there convicting hearts. People at the alter praying. I miss those days.
I love this song. It touches my heart and brings me peace.
I fell away from grace a year ago and listening to this song reminds me of God's mercy and calling for me. Thank you for the ministry.
I hope you run back into his waiting arms. He loves us more than we know.
I grew up singing this song in a Nazarene Church in Kansas City, KS. It has been a favorite and it’s interesting to hear this.
I grew up in a church that sung Softly and Tenderly almost every Sunday. One of my favorites. Thanks for sharing.
Musical composition is one thing and must reflect the mood and understanding of the writer in order to be fully appreciated. It is obvious that the writer, composer knows exactly what he is trying to convey to you the listener. When we speak of this type of musical compilation and words hymn so to speak, the person is moved by the Spirits prompting and is intimate with the word of God. This man is certainly familiar with God's word and becomes a living musical hymn unmatched and like God's word everlasting and timeless, outside the bubble of this world.
Growing up in the Adventist faith, I remember this song so well. One of the joys of going to church is singing lots of hymns.
I grew up singing hymns in an Ohio church and attended summer meetings , with a lot of singing these old hymns. Now I'm in a church that doesn"t do the hymns, except rarely. Miss "em!
I have loved this song for the past 52 years, since the first time I heard it in college as a lost soul. Thank you for your tender presentation. Simply divine.
yes it does resonate
Thank you so much for showing this song. At 13 I was to be baptised and I had to choose a song for the congregation to sing. Yes I chose this song because I longed for God to give me comfort as I drew closer to Him, desiring to follow God and see His care for me even though I was nervous of getting closer to God.
Love the old hymns... Such deep meaning....
Growing up In the new apostolic church we used to sing this song all the time. Over the years we’ve sang it pianissimo and allegro depending on the choir leader. No matter how we sang it just a loved favourite ❤.
Thank you for this greetings from Canada!!!
Yes beautifully sung.
watching live from Ghana, God bless you. #Come Home yee who are weary.
I have sung this hymn at the deathbed on my parents and in-laws and aunt just as they about to pass from this world to the next. At that point, I am singing the words with the thought that Jesus is waiting for us to join him in heaven.
I first learned this song in Afrikaans at a very young age. Love it
Oh what wonderful memories of this hymn sung in my youth with my parents in church. When I hear this hymn I think of the Prodigal son’s father waiting on him to return. I picture God and His love beseeching each of us to “come home.” These old hymns are filled with such wonderful memories and gospel truths. God is truly blessing this ministry of yours. Thank you.
Thank you for this Hymn. I love it.
Christ doesn't force Himself but waits patiently for you and me to invite Him to our hearts. May we all allow Jesus into our lives. He desires us to be His children. Come home to Him now while it is called today.
This beautiful and meaningful song was one of the songs we sang in our Baptist church during invitation after the Pastor’s message. Brings unforgettable memories. Thank you for taking the time to tell us of it’s precious history and for your biblical teachings.
My experience exactly. I second that thank you.
I first heard this song when I was watching a movie, “trip to bountiful.” So I learned it then and have sung it ever since.
Growing up in the Church of the Nazarene in Long Island, New York I recall that this hymn as a favorite among evangelists as an invitational song to the alter. I completely agree with your appreciation but as a child I can recall suffering through this and hoping the service will soon be over. At the time, it’s use seemed seemed manipulative, but, of course I wonder what my heart state was back then. Now at 67 it speaks of the home we who follow Christ are all laboring towards.
I just love this Hymn. Growing up in an Methodist Church that had older member. Thanks Luke I love Friday classics
I have witnessed many going to the altar to receive Christ while this song played....more than any other song! It is truly a soft, tender, urgent call to repentance and salvation.
I grew up in Southern Baptist churches. I don't say I was raised in them, because my parents never went. We moved several times when I was young and i always looked for the closest church. I think it was more of an escape from my home and a place to find acceptance. But this was one of the main invitational songs, along with "Just As I Am." So this song brings back lots of memories for me!
I knew this song as a child in childrens choir and liked it , but it really developed a lot of meaning to me after it was sung at my grandmothers funeral, and then in my own journey to Christ it deepened its meaning for me. Absolutely beautiful song!!
This was a song that was sung at the end of the service for an alter call. It’s a beautiful song, that tells us God is ready for us to come home.
Love this song sang it all the time in church and while nursing my babies to sleep. Would sing in sleep at times.
Thank you Brother for reminding us of such. Beautiful and Great Hynms of WORSHIP and PRAISES to our JESUS ✝️. AND FATHER GOD ✝️ ❤️🙏🏻👏🏻🙌🥹
We used to sing this song at St. Andrews Presbyterian church in Germiston, accompanied by Barry Taylor on the organ. And I remember also as a child, the Afrikaans version.
Hi Luke, thank you for yet another beautiful hymn on Classic Friday. I love this old hymn, remember it all the years growing up, have always sang it in church, but only as I got older did the words strike a cord for me....
The picture of Jesus softly calling for me, always tenderly.....it is very special, and He waits for all to come home. Beautiful, beautiful words of Jesus great love for all of us.
Blessings Luke.
I’m 71 and gone to church all my life. We’ve sang this song many times for alter services. I enjoyed the words you spoke to us along with the lyrics.
Beautifully done. Very touching. Thank you.
I love this hymn. I remember it from my childhood and my Moma sang it. We went to a rural Baptis hymn!! I am so joy filled with sweet memories when I hear them! They are still full of power!!!
This song is my favorite of all the old hymns. This song was sung at most of the end of church services. This hymn was a call for acceptance of Jesus Christ and the only song I enjoyed singing because I felt like he was calling out to me personally.
That was so nice. Thank you. I grew up with this song but the older I get, the words become more meaningful and consoling.
My family attended Methodist churches up until we moved to Odessa, Tx then we attended southern Baptist churches.
I love this hymn.
Love that beautiful story I love that hymn
I'm absolutely sure I've heard this song at funerals or in church a child and this song was in the movie Urban Cowboy in the early 80s and I believe that's when it truly had an impact on me as we watched that movie a lot as kids. And probably like many is my personal go to song in times of grief
I loved this hymn growing up in the south of England.... beautiful and so tender. Thank you for your lovely presentation. So nice to hear of the background.
Thank you brother
Oh to Praise the Lord thank God for such a blessing.✋🇹🇹🎶🎶🤗🎶🎶👍🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
Thank you, you played and sang that so wonderfully. Jesus is so full of love for the human race, His people, that that song is a yearning for not one of them perish. My heart breaks at His longing in that beautiful hymn.
So far, including this song I have sang all these hymns at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I love to sing praises to the Lord and these songs are just so beautiful! Thank you so much for bringing me so much joy and listening to them again and hearing you sing!
You are in a cult. You need to find a Bible church that believes and preaches truth.
Jesus is the Creator of heaven and earth... "All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made." He is not the brother of Lucifer.
Yes I use to sing this when I was A little girl
I really love this song! Since I was a little girl, my daddy would sing the hymns with us three girls. We would sing in harmony with each other. We had such joy singing them together, we could not stop laughing from the joy overflowing. I have fond memories of many hymns and this one always touches my heart. Thank you for this ministry of song you are sharing on UA-cam! Blessings and peace to you!
Very nice performance of a sweet hymn.
Softly and Tenderly was often sung following a sermon as an invitation for unbelievers to repent! It is one of the most beautiful and heart touching songs, when sung with reverence! One of my favorite hymns! It is truly sad that it is rarely heard nowadays!
Amen I love this hymn and always listen to it. It give me inspiration.
Am blessed bythe history& lyrics of the song
Thank you for giving the hymns a chance....si many who grew up as you did without the hymns want nothing to do with them because they are too slow....while it is good to sliw down because the words are so meaningful.😊
Should be"slow down" and
I always love to sing this in our home church❤❤❤. Yes really it is meant for you and for me that Jesus Christ the Yeshua Yahushua is watching and calling, gently and tenderly waiting for his people to come home.
Thank you!
Beautiful ❤️Amen 🙏
Thanks for sharing. Always great to watch Luke's videos. This song we sang when we were young at school..... 50 years ago....
Another lovely old hymn that sadly isn't in our new hymnbooks (I just had a look). It amazes me how you can have nearly 800 hymns in a book and miss a beauty like this. It also doesn't have some of the best modern hymns either.
I first heard this on an Amy Grant CD and absolutely loved it, even though she only sang the 1st 2 verses. God really touched my heart. Later when I sang it to my Mum, she sang along and told me that she had sung it at Sunday school and also revival meetings in Australia. This would have been in the 1920s. I was touched by Jesus standing lovingly at the portal calling to all us sinners to come to Him. Thank you for your commentary about those of us who are weary trying to live life in our own strength. It's so interesting to hear the background to these hy.ns and their writers. Blessings
It’s hard for me to imagine growing up in a church that didn’t sing many hymns. I love the them so much. I have always heard them growing and my church still does. I go to The Church of the Nazarene. I love your videos of these hymns.
Luke, good morning from a showery Lagos!
This is another CLASSIC across many, many Baptist Churches. I sang this from very young, and the words still resonate ever so clearly... but I really like the way you link the central theme in this amazing hymn to the story of the prodigal son… who despite his plight CHOOSE by himself to come back to his father… The rest of the story I think illustrates the unconceivable love of our Father, His Grace and the redemption of MANKIND through Jesus Christ His son who speaks… in a soft, earnest and tender voice... calling…
So, so powerful!!!