Here is an interesting bit of history about the song Softly as a Morning Sunrise, and the use of its chords for a contrafact. It was originally written by Sigmund Romberg and Oscar Hammerstein II as a melancholy tango for a 1928 operetta. Since then, numerous jazz artists have recorded it in a variety of jazz styles. Johnny Smith used the chord progression for the Ventures hit Walk, Don’t Run! When I used the chord progression for Contrafact Study III, I replaced the chords in the bridge with other chords, which are  sometimes referred to as the Ellington bridge. Here are videos of a 1929 recording (on which it is described as a fox trot), a performance by the Ventures of Walk, Don’t Run!, and Mark Wilson’s video of my first six Contrafact Studies. To hear my Contrafact Study III, go to 2:58. A search on YouTube will give you dozens (or more) recordings by jazz artists. 

Here are a few videos that briefly give some insights into its origins and use as a contrafact.