The song enjoyed renewed fame when actress-singer Ethel
Walters, who rose from poverty to entertainment fame, used its title for her
1951 autobiography. But the song was originally written in 1905 by a New York
pastor’s wife named Civilla Martin. The Martins had become friends with the
Doolittles, an older couple who’d long battled illnesses. Mrs. Doolittle had been
bedridden for twenty years, and her husband used a wheelchair to get to work.
Yet the couple was known for bringing inspiration and cheer to those around
them. On one visit with the Doolittles, Pastor Martin asked the secret of their
hope. Mrs. Doolittle, alluding to Jesus’ illustration about God’s omniscience
via care of bird life, remarked simply, “His eye is on the sparrow, and I know
He watches me.”
Her simple yet profound reply gripped the Martins. Civilla
went home and wrote the lyrics, and the next day mailed them to prolific
hymnist Charles Gabriel, who wrote the tune. (See last week's blog for Gabriel's story.)
The song refers to these verses:
“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 than they?”
(Matthew 6:26)
“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 ye not therefore, ye are
of more value than many sparrows” (Matthew 10:29-31)
Civilla expressed the same theme in a song she wrote a year
earlier: “God Will Take Care of You.” But the simple words of “His Eye Is on
the Sparrow” are what came to me that laundry morning as I hung up socks and
shirts. Why should I feel discouraged?
Why should the shadows come...When Jesus is my portion, My constant friend is
He: His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.”
When I snapped the clothespin on the last sock, I went back
in the house to other chores. Inside, I
couldn’t hear the birds sing anymore. But my heart replayed the much-needed
reminder they provided that day--that nothing, even what I pray about with
feeble faith, is outside the loving watch-care of God.
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