[Hymn]Softly and Tenderly

Softly and Tenderly

"Softly and Tenderly" is a Christian hymn. It was composed and written by Will L. Thompson in 1880.^[1]

Allegedly, when evangelist Dwight L. Moody was in the hospital barred from seeing visitors although Thompson had arrived, Moody insisted that Thompson be let in, whereupon Moody told him:

Will, I would rather have written "Softly and Tenderly Jesus Is Calling" than anything I have been able to do in my whole life.^[2]

Thompson was a member of the Churches of Christ, where several of his hymns and gospel songs continue in use. "Softly and Tenderly" is the most widely known of his compositions and has circulated far beyond its origins in the American Restoration Movement. It is among the most prolifically translated gospel songs and has spread appealingly into the repertoire of various fellowships of Christendom.^[3]

Use in modern culture

Featured in the film Urban Cowboy at Bud's (John Travolta's character) uncle's funeral.

The film The Trip to Bountiful makes recurrent use of the song, particularly a recording of it by Cynthia Clawson.

Amy Grant recorded a version of the song which appears on her 2002 studio album Legacy... Hymns and Faith, and later on her 2015 compilation album Be Still and Know... Hymns & Faith.

An a cappella version is sung by Alessandro Nivola in the film Junebug.

The song's melody is tuned in twice in the movie Abrupt Decision, released 2011[https://www.youtube.com/embed/it7jpUP7Bpk"

Reba, Trisha Yearwood, and Kelly Clarkson recorded the song for Reba's upcoming Gospel album.

Performed at funeral of Adele Stackhouse (Sookie's Granny), in Tru

이곡은 1880년에 미국 윌 탐슨(Will L. Thompson)에 의해 작곡·작사된 찬송이다. 특히 미국 인권지도자 마틴 루터 킹 목사의 추도식(memorial service)과 1985년 아카데미 시상식에서도 불러진 곡으로 알려졌다.

 

이 찬송에 관한 유명한 일화가 전해진다.

탐슨은 세계적으로 유명한 평신도 복음설교자 무디(Moody) 목사의 임종을 앞둔 병상을 찾았다. 무디의 위중한 상태를 감안한 담당의사가 그의 병실출입을 거절했지만, 무디는 병실 문 앞에서 하는 대화를 통해 윌 탐슨의 목소리를 알아듣고 그를 병실로 불러들였다. 죽음을 앞둔 복음설교자 무디는 탐슨의 손을 잡고서,

“윌(Will), 나는 내가 전 생애를 통해 할 수 있었던 그 어떤 것보다 오히려 당신이 지은 ‘Softly and Tenderly Jesus is Calling’<부드럽고 다정하게 예수가 부르고 계신다네>이라는 이 찬송을 작곡하고 싶다오.”(I would

rather have written than anything I have been able to do in my whole life.) 라는 말을 남겼다고 한다.

[우리말 자료- http://cafe.daum.net/meaningfullife에서 발췌]