“…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.
