Civilla Durfee Martin

Hymnwriter Civilla Martin was born on this day in 1866, in Nova Scotia. Her lifelong love of music was shared with her husband Walter Martin, and they collaborated on several songs, with him supplying the music to her words. Her popular texts also inspired other gospel song composers, such as Charles H. Gabriel, who wrote the music for one of her most familiar selections.

One day in 1905, Martin was visiting a bedridden friend, and asked her if she was ever discouraged by her situation. The woman responded "His eye is on the sparrow, and I know he's watching me," probably a reference to Matthew 6:26 -- Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet God feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Before long Martin had written the following song, and with Gabriel's tune it spread throughout many denominations.

Why should I feel discouraged,
Why should the shadows come,
Why should my heart be lonely,
And long for heaven and home,
When, Jesus, you're my portion?
My constant friend you'll be:
Your eye is on the sparrow,
And I know you're watching me;
Your eye is on the sparrow,
And I know you're watching me.

Refrain
I sing because I’m happy,
I sing because I’m free,
For your eye is on the sparrow,
And I know you're watching me.

“Let not your heart be troubled,”
Your tender word I hear,
And resting on your goodness,
I lose my doubts and fears;
Though by the path you're leading,
But one step I may see;
Your eye is on the sparrow,
And I know you're watching me;
Your eye is on the sparrow,
And I know you're watching me.
Refrain

Whenever I am tempted,
Whenever clouds arise,
When songs give place to sighing,
When hope within me dies,
I draw the closer to you,
From care you set me free;
Your eye is on the sparrow,
And I know you're watching me;
Your eye is on the sparrow,
And I know you're watching me.
Refrain

Civilla D. Martin, 1905; alt.
Tune: HIS EYE IS ON THE SPARROW (Irregular with refrain)
Charles H. Gabriel, 1905

This song was a favorite of jazz singer Ethel Waters, who recorded it and also titled her autobiography His Eye Is On the Sparrow.