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Softly and Tenderly
Matthew 11:20–30 · with Softly and Tenderly
Softly and Tenderly — Will L. Thompson, 1880. Its root: “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28) — the chapter’s last word, and the hymn’s first.
Thompson’s call — “Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling” — over the chapter of woes on the unrepentant cities, turning at the end into the call itself: Come unto me. A 1907 recording.
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Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not:
Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you.
And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.
But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.
At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.
Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight.
All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Music: “Softly and Tenderly” in a 1907 Library of Congress Jukebox recording via the Internet Archive — public domain. The hymn is Will L. Thompson’s (1880), public domain.
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