Softly and Tenderly - Traditional

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!

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!

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!

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

Softly and Tenderly lyrics were written by Will Thompson and are famous for the refrain Come home come home ye who are weary come home. The song portrays Jesus waiting and watching at the portal of the heart with a message of mercy and pardon. It is a quintessential invitation hymn often used at the conclusion of services to encourage a personal response to the Gospel. By singing the Softly and Tenderly lyrics the congregation shares in a spirit of warmth and welcome reminding the listener that Gods grace is available to all who would simply turn and walk toward His light.