English

Softly and Tenderly

Adventist Hymns – Public Domain: —
Author: William L. Thompson (1847–1909)
Copyright: ✓ Public Domain Verified

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Verse 1

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

Verse 2

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? Come home, come home, Ye who are weary, come home; Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling, Calling, O sinner, come home!

Verse 3

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

Verse 4

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

Public Domain Information

Text: Public Domain
Tune: Not verified (melody not provided)
Source: Hymns and Tunes no. 407 (as transcribed on adventhymnals.org) — Administrator upload
Verified: November 1, 2026

Public Domain status verified for the listed text/source.

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Rights & Sources

Text Rights: Public Domain Words by William L. Thompson (1847-1909), printed in "Hymns and Tunes" no. 407 (https://www.adventhymnals.org/hymns-and-tunes-1886/hymn-407-softly-and-tenderly/). Lyricist printed in the transcription ("Will Thompson") and original author named in the Himnario Adventista 2009 credit for hymn 213 agree; the author died in 1909 (public domain: more than 70 years after death and before 1929 in the US). Transcription retrieved 2026-11-01. Not yet proofread against a scan.
Tune Rights: Not Applicable
Translation Rights: Not applicable (original-language text)
Arrangement Rights: No BibleSlide arrangement provided
Recording Rights: No recording provided
Score / sheet music Rights: No sheet music provided

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