His Eye Is On The Sparrow

His Eye Is On The Sparrow

Civilla Martin was born in Canada and was traveling through New York with her evangelist husband. Just one year earlier, in 1904, she had found success in writing a beautiful little hymn entitled, “God Will Take Care Of You.” William, her husband, wrote a melody for it and the song became quite popular.

She found herself in Elmira, New York, sitting at the bedside of Mrs. Doolittle. The Doolittles were beloved by all who knew them. She was bedridden and he was wheelchair-bound but they were known for their happy disposition no matter what came their way.

As the Martins sat and sang with Mrs. Doolittle, William found the boldness to ask how she managed to keep up her sunny and encouraging spirit. She replied, “His Eye is on the Sparrow, and I know He watches me.”

The words so touched Civilla that she began to form them into a poem. William tried to write a tune that would do justice to the words she gave him. Not satisfied with his tune, they mailed the poem to Charles Gabriel, a well known gospel song composer, and he was able to put the words to a beautiful melody that made the hymn complete.

“His Eye Is On The Sparrow” was introduced to the world that same year, in 1905, at London’s Royal Albert Hall. It has been gracing churches and concert halls around the world for over a hundred years. The hymn is based on the words of Jesus in the Gospel of Luke:

Luke 12:6-7

“Are not five sparrows sold for two cents? Yet not one of them is forgotten before God ... Do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows.”

HIS EYE IS ON THE SPARROW:

• 1-Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come,

• Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heaven and home,

• When Jesus is my portion? My constant friend is He:

• His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;

• His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

Refrain:

• I sing because I'm happy,

• I sing because I'm free,

• For His eye is on the sparrow,

• And I know He watches me