Piano Demo
0:00
Hymnal Number
649Resource Type:
Keys included:
C
About this Hymn
The lyricist Civilla Martin conceived this song after visiting a woman in Elmira, New York, who had been bedridden for twenty years; she told Martin, "How can I be discouraged, when my Father watches the sparrows, and I know he loves and cares for me?" Martin sent the words to Charles Gabriel, who had been in a "despondent, down-hearted mood"; these words "seemed like a voice speaking directly to me as I read, and its melody rang out of silence into my heart."
Lyrics
Verse 1
Why should I feel discouraged? Why should the shadows come? Why should my heart feel lonely and long for heav'n and home when Jesus is my portion? A constant Friend is he:
Chorus
his eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me. His eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me. I sing because I'm happy, I sing because I'm free; for his eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me.
Verse 2
"Let not your heart be troubled," his tender words I hear; and resting on his goodness, I lose my doubt and fear. Though by the path he leadeth but one step I may see:
Verse 3
Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise, when songs give place to sighing, when hope within me dies, I draw the closer to him; from care he sets me free:
Why should I feel discouraged? Why should the shadows come? Why should my heart feel lonely and long for heav'n and home when Jesus is my portion? A constant Friend is he:
Chorus
his eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me. His eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me. I sing because I'm happy, I sing because I'm free; for his eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me.
Verse 2
"Let not your heart be troubled," his tender words I hear; and resting on his goodness, I lose my doubt and fear. Though by the path he leadeth but one step I may see:
Verse 3
Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise, when songs give place to sighing, when hope within me dies, I draw the closer to him; from care he sets me free:
Copyrighted lyrics may be used in corporate worship in accordance with a valid CCLI license. Lyrics should be displayed unaltered and include author and copyright information. All other uses require permission from the copyright holder.
Attribution & Copyright
Words: Civilla D. Martin, 1905
Music: Charles H. Gabriel, 1905
Music: Charles H. Gabriel, 1905