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Softly As I Leave You

Words & Music by Giorgio Calabrese, Tony de Vita, Hal Shaper

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Softly As I Leave You

Words & Music by Giorgio Calabrese, Tony de Vita, Hal Shaper

Softly [Softly]
I will leave you [I will leave you softly]
Softly [Softly]
For my heart would break [For my heart would break]
If you should wake [If you should wake]
And see me go [And see me go]

So I leave you [So I leave you]
Softly [Softly]
Long before you miss me [Long before you miss me]
Long before your arms can beg me stay [Long before your
Arms can beg me stay]
For one more hour [For one more hour]
For one more day [For one more day]

After all the years [After all the years]
I can't bare the tears [I can't bare the tears]
To fall [To fall]
So softly, [So softly] so softly
[I will leave you there]
I will leave you
I will leave you there

More info:

Softly as I Leave You was written by G. Calabrese, A. de Vita, and Hal Shaper, and first released in the United States by Matt Monroe (Liberty 55449) in 1962. Frank Sinatra recorded a popular version (Reprise 0301) in 1964, reaching #27 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart and #4 on the Easy- Listening chart. In 1967 Eydie Gormé peaked at #30 on the Easy-Listening chart with her version (Columbia 43971).

Elvis sang Softly as I Leave You in concert on a few occasions. Actually, he recited the words while Sherrill Nielsen sang. The midnight show at the Las Vegas Hilton on December 13, 1975, was recorded on a private cassette recorded. It is that version that RCA released as a single in 1978. Softly as I Leave You had an 11-week stay on Billboard's country chart, peaking at #6. It did not reach the Hot 100 chart, but it was listed "Bubbling Under" at #109. Softly as I Leave You was nominated for a Grammy as Best Country Vocal Performance, Male, but lost to Willie Nelson's Georgia on My Mind.


Softly [Softly]
I will leave you [I will leave you softly]
Softly [Softly]
For my heart would break [For my heart would break]
If you should wake [If you should wake]
And see me go [And see me go]

So I leave you [So I leave you]
Softly [Softly]
Long before you miss me [Long before you miss me]
Long before your arms can beg me stay [Long before your
Arms can beg me stay]
For one more hour [For one more hour]
For one more day [For one more day]

After all the years [After all the years]
I can't bare the tears [I can't bare the tears]
To fall [To fall]
So softly, [So softly] so softly
[I will leave you there]
I will leave you
I will leave you there

More info:

Softly as I Leave You was written by G. Calabrese, A. de Vita, and Hal Shaper, and first released in the United States by Matt Monroe (Liberty 55449) in 1962. Frank Sinatra recorded a popular version (Reprise 0301) in 1964, reaching #27 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart and #4 on the Easy- Listening chart. In 1967 Eydie Gormé peaked at #30 on the Easy-Listening chart with her version (Columbia 43971).

Elvis sang Softly as I Leave You in concert on a few occasions. Actually, he recited the words while Sherrill Nielsen sang. The midnight show at the Las Vegas Hilton on December 13, 1975, was recorded on a private cassette recorded. It is that version that RCA released as a single in 1978. Softly as I Leave You had an 11-week stay on Billboard's country chart, peaking at #6. It did not reach the Hot 100 chart, but it was listed "Bubbling Under" at #109. Softly as I Leave You was nominated for a Grammy as Best Country Vocal Performance, Male, but lost to Willie Nelson's Georgia on My Mind.