Enrichment Activities for Weave Your Word in Me

Civilla D. Martin’s Inspired Words —

Civilla D. Martin, wife of a Harvard trained Baptist minister, wrote the words to the famous hymn His Eye is on the Sparrow over 100 years ago. This is her explanation of how the song came to be.

“In the spring of 1905, my husband and I were sojourning in Elmira, New York. We contracted a deep friendship with a couple by the name of Mr. and Mrs. Doolittle — true saints of God. Mrs. Doolittle had been bedridden for over twenty years. Her husband was an incurable cripple who had to propel himself to and from his business in a wheel chair. Despite their afflictions, they lived happy Christian lives, bringing inspiration and comfort to all who knew them.”

“One day while we were visiting with the Doolittles, my husband commented on their bright hopefulness and asked them the secret of their joy in the midst of pain. Mrs. Doolittle’s reply was simple: ‘If His eye is on the sparrow, then I know He watches me.’ The beauty of this expression of simple faith gripped my heart and that same evening I wrote the words for the song.”

Listen to Eclipse 6 sing His Eye is on the Sparrow — based on Jesus’ comforting words from Luke 12:6-7.

My Prayer

Dearest Father, If your eye is on the sparrow, then I know you watch over me. Thank you so much. Amen.

Why should I feel discouraged?
Why should the shadows come?
Why should my heart be lonely
And long for heaven and home.

When Jesus is my portion
My constant friend is he.
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know he watches me.

I sing because I’m happy.
I sing because I’m free.
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know he watches me.