"Softly, as I Leave You" is a popular song composed by Hal Shaper, Antonio De Vita (1932–1998), with original Italian lyrics by Giorgio Calabrese.
It was originally an Italian success in 1960 by Mina, at the Sanremo Music Festival, entitled "Piano" ("Softly"). Mina published a recording of the song first time as a single in 1960, and later as well on an EP and on three LPs.
The English songwriter Hal Shaper noticed the song and in November 1961 wrote English lyrics to the melody, calling it "Softly, as I Leave You". It is best known in versions by Matt Monro (#10 on the British charts in 1962, Monro had US "Bubbling Under the Top 100" entries in Billboard in 1962 and 1964), and Frank Sinatra (#27 on Billboard Hot 100 in 1964). Other recordings have been made by artists such as Bobby Darin, Andy Williams, Robert Goulet, Doris Day (1964), Shirley Bassey (1968) for her album This Is My Life, Elvis Presley (recorded in 1973, released as a single in 1978), David Whitfield on New Zealand TV (1973), Eydie Gorme, and Cliff Richard (1983).
The Lettermen also recorded it, including it as a track on their 1964 album She Cried. We Five also recorded it, including it as a track eleven on their 1965 album You Were On My Mind. The song also haunted jazz legend Shirley Horn, who recorded a very intimate version on her 1987 album Softly. "Softly, as I Leave You" was reprised by Michael Bublé as a B-side on his 2004 EP Feeling Good.
The Sinatra family announced Frank's death on May 14, 1998 by placing an announcement on their website that was accompanied by a recording of the singer's version of the song.
The Sinatra version is in the key of B Major; it then modulates to key of D major, before returning to B. The general form of the chord progressions is: I, iii, IV, V; (B major, D # minor, E major, F # major.) It transposes to key of D major, before falling back to B.
The late singer John Gary also recorded the song for his album and 8 track release of "John Gary at Carnegie Hall".