African American Heritage Hymnal ‎#143

143. His Eye Is on the Sparrow

1 Why should I feel discouraged,
Why should the shadows come,
Why should my heart be lonely,
And long for heav’n and home;
When Jesus is my portion?
My constant Friend is He:

Refrain:
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.

2 “Let not your heart be troubled,”
His tender word I hear,
And resting on His goodness,
I lose my doubts and fears;
Though by the path He leadeth,
But one step I may see;
His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me; [Refrain]

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; [Refrain]

Text Information

• First Line: Why should I feel discouraged
• Title: His Eye Is on the Sparrow
• Author: Civilla D. Martin, 1860-1948
• Refrain First Line: His eye is on the sparrow
• Meter: 7 6 7 6 7 6 7 7 7 7 with refrain
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 2001
• Scripture:
  Matthew 6:26

Tune Information

• Name: SPARROW
• Composer: Charles H. Gabriel, 1865-1932
• Arranger: Horace Clarence Boyer, b. 1935
• Meter: 7 6 7 6 7 6 7 7 7 7 with refrain
• Key: D♭ Major
• Copyright: Arr. © 1992 Horace Clarence Boyer