I’ve set up “Softly and Tenderly” as the hymn for this week’s stopoff in my series, “Then Sings My Soul: The Hymns of My Youth.” The hymn in the image is not the same one, but that same lyric, “Come home”, echoes through this hymn. In my mind, this particular tune was tailor-made for the tone-deaf-but-enthusiastic singer who felt the need to give it all he’s got when singing “Come hooo-oooo-oooooome…” and for some reason, I hear a voice like that whenever I imagine this hymn. But doesn’t every little old church congregation have a little old voice like that, singing with gusto and just a bit off-kilter from somewhere amid the pews? Or amid the choir, even?
Softly and Tenderly
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 meCome home, come home
Ye who are weary, come home
Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling
Calling, O sinner, come homeO 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 meCome home, come home
Ye who are weary, come home
Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling
Calling, O sinner, come home
Mmm I can close my eyes and hear the same voice.. Growing up baptist those old hymns were a part of church every Sunday. of course as a child I thought they were soooo boring. And when I left the Baptist church and moved on to a more “progressive” movement we were taught that those were out dated and irrelavent. Now I find myself drawn to them. They are somehow a cool drink of water to a thirsty soul. interesting how we come full circle isn’t it?
Lori,
That’s essentially what got me started on this hymn series… though I do end up saying bad things about some of the hymns — they aren’t all good! Do go back and take a look at my hymn from last week, which we were actually talking about in Barbie’s cafe this past week. Glad to have you dropping by and commenting!
Brother,
I noticed that the image you used is from a shape note hymnal…man I’m getting old…like what I grew up with.
Doe, a deer, a female deer,
Ray, a drop of golden sun…
;o)
Tom (aka Volkmar)