"SOFTLY, AS I LEAVE YOU" originated as an Italian song with lyrics by Georgio Calabrese. The popular version was composed by Antonio DeVito and Hal Shaper. Its biggest success was as a single record by Matt Monro, which reached #10 on the UK charts, and wise widely played on American radio. 

THERE ARE MANY VERSIONS OF THE STORY BEHIND THE SONG'S LYRICS. BASICALLY, THE SONG TELLS THE STORY OF A MARRIED COUPLE, ONE OF WHOM IS DYING AND DOES NOT WANT HIS PARTNER TO BARE THE DEATH. LISTEN TO TWO OF THE OTHER POPULAR VERSIONS. ELVIS GIVES SOME BACKGROUND BEFORE HE SINGS.

         FRANK SINATRA

       ELVIS PRESLEY

Your webmaster's personal favorite is this one from an album called "LOVE HIM" from 1963. It is sung by Doris Day. The album was engineered by her son, Terry Melcher.

OTHER VERSIONS OF THIS BEAUTIFUL SONG YOU SHOULD ENJOY

    MICHAEL BUBLE'

SHIRLEY BASSEY

   ANDY WILLIAMS

THE SANDPIPERS

HOWARD KEEL

  THE LETTERMEN

THE MUSIC, ALL BY ITSELF, IS ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL. HERE, LISTEN TO THE INSTRUMENTAL VERSION BY ONE OF THE BEST, HENRY MANCINI

ONE LAST ONE, TO MAKE AN EVEN DOZEN. THIS TIME, IT IS LENA HORNE, AS SHE SANG THE SONG IN ONE OF HER FINAL RECORDINGS BEFORE HER DEATH.