Cynthia Clawson "Softly and Tenderly"

[@terrymcleod5994]

What a gift God has given us in Cynthia Clawson… my wife sang this as I played it the late 70s and early 80s. Like Cynthia my wife was a “soul singer”. Thank you for posting this simply worshipful and beautiful song. How glorious Heaven will be with such heartfelt perfect praise for our Savior!

[@dvine678]

I love this version 🤗

[@tuberobotto]

Ms Clawson will always be the Hymnsinger for me. Her singing transports me to a serene and tranquil place all the time, as it did when I first heard the track "Hymns" in that album. There was so much emotion and depth without being frivolous and over-dramatic. By then I realised that there is so much love expressed in every hymns we sang in church, so much depth that I didn't before "understand" or fathom. Hymnsinger has since been very close to my heart and my music listening activities, in fact I would love to have the entire album played at my own funeral one day. I know that as a Christian, death is a time of rejoicing, it's a homecoming so that I'd have the entire collection of the Gaither Family music performances played there too. And as they transport my casket to the cemetery, there shall only be the color of joy, plain sunlit white, worn by everyone of my "rejoicers" (there's no mourning with this one) with a banner flying high that says "Death, where is thy sting?!". What a wonderful scenario that must be, unless....God in His mercy doesn't take me home until the "Gathering up in the clouds". Thank you so much for this wonderful song and upload. And it's always great to "meet" the brethren in these opportunities. God bless you.

[@davidttop]

Still get chills when I hear Cynthia sing! Such emotion, such beauty, such depth. Rare these days!

[@VocalEdgeTV]

What a voice on this woman! Phrasing, style, all untouchable.

[@mattmcgarvey1061]

The profound emotion and faith expressed in every word sung and every note played are some of the most spiritual things I have heard in my life. I listen to this almost every day. It points be in the right direction and provides marvelous peace. thank you Cynthia and Raymond.

[@markcornell53]

Incredible. She's sitting on a lousy chair tucked away by a door and, above it, rises this amazing talent.

[@ezera3201]

Sooooo much love in this song...whew

[@johnrichards3666]

Cynthia was on a CBS summer replacement show called "The Newcomers" back in the late 60s or early 70s. It was a showcase for the newest and brightest talent. Her beauty and talent has never faded.

[@MrGasinger68]

My favorite arrangement of this song EVER!!! I have loved singing it for years!

[@banson11]

No one more humble and worthy to sing it than You.

[@PhillipSwindall]

I sang this song at all four of my grandparents' funerals. I LOVE this song! Thanks for posting... no idea why it suddenly appeared in my recommended videos.

[@skinnedknuckles1]

I remember this song from my childhood. Great to finally hear it again. I love the arrangement

[@zimbelstern62]

INCREDIBLE to see Cynthia playing and singing this!! I had a chance to meet Raymond Brown and talk to him about arranging this song for his mother as a Mother's Day gift.

[@50AHenry]

I don't know this tune, but it was beautiful and you are also a gifted pianist. Wonderful - Thank you ! ! ! (from AUSTRALIA)

[@snappysnap955]

I have never heard this arrangement before and I just love the depth of it. To me it is much more stirring this way.

[@VocalEdgeTV]

Diane Watson It was featured in a beautiful movie called "Trip to Bountiful"...many years ago. Been a favorite ever since.

[@snappysnap955]

VocalEdgeTV I remember that film...thank you!

[@ToddWilliamWhite]

It was a new musical setting for the familiar words to this hymn. It's probably one of the most beautiful and compelling settings for the words to this song ever written. This is not her best presentation of this song, which was written specifically for her, as I understand it, but when you know the reason she struggles with it, you realize that it's probably the most heartfelt one she's done. I've heard her sing it in other venues- this is has a depth that isn't "there" in the other recordings.

[@pinetopwhispers3688]

She flew in from San Antonio that morning--a last-minute decision to offer this as a tribute to my father, Bruce McIver. We will always be grateful!

[@sharonpinner1207]

Beautiful

[@dcolemn]

This is a heartfelt rendition of this piece, and is sung with SO MUCH FEELING! Thanks for sharing.....

[@pinetopwhispers3688]

It was indeed "heartfelt"--Cynthia was very close to our family and to our Dad. This must have been a difficult performance for her!

[@cindycav4037]

Beautiful and soulfully sung.

[@zacharylavender1568]

Lovely!

[@canyoubelievethis220]

Her voice is sick! She has one of those voices that sounds like she's crying. Her tone is totally, totally awesome! This woman could sing "Mary Had A Little Lamb" and make a masterpiece out of it. I remember hearing this on the movie "Trip To Bountiful" and was in tears. The sad part back then was that you couldn't go to youtube or even on the internet and pull this up to play it. I eventually bought the movie and listened to it until it came out on youtube. Anyone know where I can get the piano sheet music? Thanks so much!

[@OccamsRazoretta]

At last! I have been looking for this version for so long. Even though on VHS, I'm so glad you taped it & uploaded it. Thanks! After a church concert about 12 years ago or so, I asked Cynthia Clawson how to find this arrangement of the song, and "It Was His Love." She explained that the recording company had gone bankrupt and she couldn't re-release her own intellectual property. (Maybe now those things have been sorted out as I see on her website that "It Was His Love" has been re-released.)

[@gladtidings4all]

This is the version I was looking for! It's how I learned it! I love it! Will be posting it on my Facebook! Thanks! Blessings!

[@suzimore92]

I love this version of this song and whenever I sing it, people are so impressed by it's depth and richness. I have recorded it a while ago.

[@Anuheaikauatuahine]

Absolutely beautiful.

[@bebez4life]

Beautiful! :) Lovely arrangement too!

[@Saxgregg]

That's Worship, Awesome!!

[@dianebrown2843]

that is nice, unique

[@Sparkjean]

She is singing the alto harmony line. If you recorded the 2 versions over each other you would have perfect 2 part harmony. Beautiful.

[@sisterofraymond]

I'm Raymond's sister. He and Cynthia were magic together. I miss him so very much. Sherrie

[@kcrcbest]

coooool

[@VocalEdgeTV]

.......wow

[@MuscleMikal]

@sisterofraymond I only knew Raymond through his music but what a sensitive soul he must have been. I'm friends with Cynthia's sister, Patti, and it's obvious from hearing her speak of your brother, that she loved and misses him a great deal. I wish I could have known him.

[@loughrey101]

I prefer her original arragement

[@harrysmith8869]

Who is the composer for this version?

[@davcnslt]

Why has she substituted a different melody?

[@CS-kl5lt]

Her dear friend and composer Raymond Brown wrote a different melody for her years ago and it’s a staple and trademark of hers in her concerts.

[@jwj2xx4]

nice voice... but could I just get the real hymn version please?...