Softly as I Leave You( Story, Song and Lyrics)

Elvis tells the story behind as well as sings the lyrics of the song, "Softly as I leave You". The man singing in the background is Elvis` tenor singer, Sherrill (Shaun)Nielsen. In 1977, Elvis' and Sherrill's duet of "Softly As I Leave You" was nominated for a Grammy as duet of the year.

This is truly a very sad but beautiful story sung as it should be which is, in my opinion, the best rendition and which is done by Elvis.This song and "Memories" are his most beautiful and underrated songs.

This video is a composite of three other videos found on Youtube, 2 of which are of Elvis and one with excerpts from a video of the movie, "The Notebook". I edited & spliced the 3 videos and added the lyrics. The still photos where captured from "The Notebook" video used in this video. I tried to capture the idea of a woman who misses her husband and still trying to hold back the tears as she recounts memories, even after many decades. The images of the man rowing away( figuratively crossing over the River Styx) are what her husband sees and the sadness & loneliness he feels as he passes away. The white birds flying away at the end signal his departure and guide his spirit once he reached the 'Other Side'. These were the images I saw as I imagined him as he passed away.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Elvis Presley
• Softly as I leave you
• River Styx
• Sherrill(Shaun) Nielsen

[TheDiscoDays]

I do not believe this !!!!!! This is so sad.....it brings tears to my eyes....There is a God somewhere......Is debowen's post true? Maybe this is what Elvis saw when he rehersed the song. Who knows......it's is still a nice story and beautiful song......

[DrinkingStar]

@TheDiscoDays The story I related here was what I found by others who posted this song. I think this song is best visualized in the ending scenes of the movie "Notebook".

[DancingFalcons]

It is hard to imagine someone having the energy to write this as they are dying. It is not painful to see someone die-- it is almost like a birth. But this song and the story that goes with it is absolutely beautiful. Thank you for posting it.

[memphistenn77]

Great job!!!!!!

[ANephilimSacrifice]

@muffin8or 72

[muffin8or]

@ANephilimSacrifice

How old was he when he died?

[ANephilimSacrifice]

@DrinkingStar debowen's story is true. I know this simply because my father was Hal Shaper, the man who wrote the lyrics you hear now.

[ANephilimSacrifice]

@TheDiscoDays Yes, debowen's is true. I know this as my father was Hal Shaper, the man who wrote the lyrics you hear now.

[edouardo0021]

@TheDiscoDays Of course softly as I leave yu sung by Elvis and sherill shaun is a very beutiful and sad song !The beutifulest song I ever heard in my life. It's still today.

Thanks for Elvis from the bottom of my heart . Frenchman from PARIS 15

[TheDiscoDays]

Thanks. I didn't see the movie, Notebook, though..