March 13, 2016 Sunday)
Will Lamartine Thompson (1847-1909) started his own music publishing company after his songs were rejected by existed companies. His business grew and he sold pianos, organs and sheet music. He wrote the words and music for his songs, and whenever a new song came to mind, he wrote himself a memo in verse.
The story is told that when evangelist Dwight L. Moody was in the hospital and no visitors were allowed, he insisted that Thompson be let in. He told Thompson: “Will, I would rather have written ‘Softly and Tenderly Jesus Is Calling’ than anything I have been able to do in my whole life.”
Thompson also wrote, “Jesus Is All the World to Me,” “Lead Me Gently Home, Father,” and “There’s a Great Day Coming.”
Words and Music by Will L. Thompson 1880 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. Refrain: Come home, come home, You who are weary, come home; Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling, Calling, O sinner, come home! 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! Though we have sinned, He has mercy and pardon, Pardon for you and for me. |
Listen to George Beverly Shea
Listen to the Chuck Wagon Gang
Listen to alternate tune by Cynthia Clawson