Softly and Tenderly - Wikipedia Softly and Tenderly `` Softly and Tenderly '' is a Christian hymn. It was composed and written by Will L. Thompson in 1880. Allegedly, when evangelist Dwight L. Moody was in the hospital barred from seeing visitors although Thompson had arrived, Moody insisted that Thompson be let in, whereupon Moody told him : 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 was a member of the Churches of Christ, where several of his hymns and gospel songs continue in use. `` Softly and Tenderly '' is the most widely known of his compositions and has circulated far beyond its origins in the American Restoration Movement. It is among the most prolifically translated gospel songs and has spread appealingly into the repertoire of various fellowships of Christendom. Use in modern culture Featured in the film Urban Cowboy at Bud 's ( John Travolta 's character ) uncle 's funeral. The film The Trip to Bountiful makes recurrent use of the song, particularly a recording of it by Cynthia Clawson. Amy Grant recorded a version of the song which appears on her 2002 studio album Legacy... Hymns and Faith, and later on her 2015 compilation album Be Still and Know... Hymns & Faith. An a cappella version is sung by Alessandro Nivola in the film Junebug. The song 's melody is tuned in twice in the movie Abrupt Decision, released 2011. Reba McEntire, Trisha Yearwood, and Kelly Clarkson recorded the song for Reba 's Sing It Now : Songs of Faith & Hope ( 2017 ) In November 2017, Carrie Underwood performed the hymn as part of the In Memoriam segment, which culminated in a tribute to the fifty - eight Route 91 shooting victims, at the 51st annual CMA Awards. Performed at funeral of Adele Stackhouse ( Sookie 's Granny ), in True Blood. References Jump up ^ Bye, P.C. ( 1982 ). Family Hymn Book : Chords Given for Guitar and Autoharp. Mel Bay Publications. p. 86. ISBN 9780871667137. Retrieved 2015 - 05 - 14. Jump up ^ `` 2002 class of inductees announced ''. Lou Holtz / Upper Ohio Valley Hall of Fame. East Liverpool, Ohio. 2000. Retrieved 2013 - 10 - 06. Jump up ^ Finley, Gene C. ( 1980 ). Our garden of song : A book of biography of song writers of the Church of Christ. West Monroe, Louisiana : Howard. pp. 479 -- 418. This Christianity - related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Softly_and_Tenderly&oldid=812911102 '' Categories : American Christian hymns 1880 songs Christianity stubs Talk About Wikipedia Diné bizaad Edit links This page was last edited on 30 November 2017, at 16 : 43. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution - ShareAlike License ; additional terms may apply. By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Wikipedia ® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization. About Wikipedia

Question: who sang softly and tenderly in trip to bountiful
Answer: Cynthia Clawson