Did you ever wonder who wrote the lyrics, and, melody to the hymn, His eye is on the sparrow? I love that song, so I looked it up.
Civilla, and her husband Doctor Martin wrote the words to the song, and Charles Gabriel wrote the melody in 1905.
Civilla tells the story ” Early in the spring of 1905 my husband and I sojourned to Elmira, New York. We contracted a deep relationship with a couple by the name of Mr. and Mrs. Doolittle, true saints of God. Mrs Doolittle had been bedridden for nigh twenty years. Her husband was an incurable cripple who had to propel himself to and from his business in a wheel chair. Despite their affictions, they lived happy christian lives, bringing inspiration and comfort to all who knew them. One day while we were visiting with the doolittle’s, my husband commented on their bright hopefulness and asked them for the secret of it. Mrs Doolittle’s reply was simple. ” His eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me.” The beauty of this simple expression of boundless faith gripped the hearts and fired the imagination of Doctor Martin, and me. The hymn ” His eye is on the sparrow was the outcome of that experience.” The next day Civilla mailed the poem, they wrote to Charles Gabriel who supplied the music. Singer Ethel Waters so loved this song she used its name as the title for her autobiography.
Matthew; 10-29-31 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny, yet not one of them will fall to the ground, apart from the will of your good Father , so don’t be afraid, you are worth more than many sparrows.”
Beautiful inspirational story and song. It brings tears to my eyes every time I hear it.
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