"His Eye Is on the Sparrow" is a Gospel hymn written in 1905 by lyricist Civilla D. Martin and composer Charles H. Gabriel. It 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. Sometimes it was sung with the slightly altered title "His Eye is on the Tiny Bird" and this version was recorded by actress Violet Carson in 1972.
Inspiration
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. "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?" 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 ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows". Civilla Martin, who wrote the lyrics, said of her inspiration to write the song based on the scriptures:
Later published arrangements
There are many arrangements of the hymn that have been produced since its original publication. These include:
1999: Six Gospel Hymn Preludes has an arrangement for solo organ by Wilbur Held
2007, in Songs of Comfort and Hope: Vocal Solos for Memorial and Funeral Services
Ha*Ash version
A version of the song was recorded by the American musical duo Ha*Ash for their live album'. The song was officially released on November 11, 2014. The music video of the song is the live performance by Ha*Ash in Lake Charles, Louisiana. A music video for "His Eye Is on the Sparrow" was released on May 15, 2015. It was directed by Nahuel Lerena. The video was filmed in Lake Charles, Louisiana, United States. Credits and personnel Credits adapted from AllMusic. Recording and management
recorded a version for of the 2012 remake of the 1976 musical filmSparkle. RCA Records released the song as the second single from the album on June 8, 2012, four months after Houston's death. This version is Houston's last original single, and second posthumous one. The song made its debut only one day after the premiere of "Celebrate". Critical reception AllMusic called it a "piano, organ, and choir" showcase for Houston, citing it as a highlight of the soundtrack although admitting "Houston sounds as commanding as one can expect from a later recording." Entertainment Weekly editor Melissa Maerz called it "a gorgeously rippling solo" with Houston "testif that Jesus is watching over her." Jody Rosen of Rolling Stone panned the cover, saying "Houston sings – and croaks – in a voice octaves lower than in her prime. At times the song has a ravaged magnificence, but mostly it's painful."
