Softly and Tenderly Jesus Is Calling

The story of this hymn

Will L. Thompson, an Ohio songwriter and music publisher, wrote both words and music in 1880 as an invitation hymn for revival meetings. The evangelist D. L. Moody, near the end of his life, told Thompson he would rather have written 'Softly and Tenderly' than anything he himself had done. That refrain — 'Come home, ye who are weary, come home' — is why it crossed from the revival tent to the funeral: sung over a believer, it becomes a welcome home rather than an appeal.

Where it sits in the service

Sung late in the service — after the message or as the final hymn — and often given to a soloist during a time of reflection or the last viewing. The refrain is the heart of it: print it in full after each verse rather than writing 'Refrain'. Most funeral orders use the three verses given here, leaving out the original verse about gathering shadows and deathbeds.

In the programme, list it in the order of service as “Hymn — Softly and Tenderly Jesus Is Calling” with the leader or choir named beside it.

How it is actually sung

An invitation hymn with a strong refrain — “Come home, come home” — and it carries enormous weight at a funeral for exactly that reason. Four verses, though two and the refrain is common. It is often given to a soloist with the congregation joining the refrain, which suits it better than full congregational singing throughout.

Printing the words

Public domain. The refrain must be printed even if you shorten the verses; it is the line the room will sing.

This is practical guidance rather than legal advice. Reproduction rights vary by territory, by hymnal edition and by the licence your church holds — the church office is the right place to ask, and they answer this question often.