10 Hymns We Should Stop Singing

8. Softly and Tenderly, Jesus Is Calling

This one represents a larger group of invitation hymns from the gospel song tradition. The image of an unsure and hesitant Jesus waiting at the window might perhaps allude to the story of the prodigal son, but it doesn’t quite make the connection. The evangelistic invitation doesn’t really fit in with the historical liturgy, either, instead borrowing the ad hoc order of the revival tent.