His Eye Is on the Sparrow ...

“…I sing because I’m happy

I sing because I’m free

His eye is on the sparrow

And I know he watches me …”

 ~ “His Eye Is on the Sparrow”

 ~ Gospel hymn

 ~1905

 ~ Civilla D. Martin, lyricist, Charles H. Gabriel, composer

~The hymn is most associated with actress-singer Ethel Waters who used the title for her autobiography

~ Mahalia Jackson’s recording of the song was honored with the

 Grammy Hall of Fame Award in 2010

The theme of the song is inspired by the words of David in the Psalms and Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew in the Bible: “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.” (Psalm 32:8); “Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value then they?” (Matthew 6:26); and “Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? And one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear yet not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.” (Matthew 10:29-31).

A sweet sparrow eyes the beauty of a late May sunset on a gorgeous spring evening at Trexler Nature Preserve, Schnecksville, Pennsylvania.