Hymns around the piano 🎹 - His Eye Is on the Sparrow with Bless That Wonderful Name

Civilla Martin, a Canadian school teacher who later married evangelist Dr. William Martin, was inspired to write the lyrics by a couple they met while traveling in Elmira, New York. Neither of the Doolittles was very mobile, one bedridden for "nigh 20 years." Writes Martin, " ... my husband commented on their bright hopefulness and asked them for the secret of it. Mrs. Doolittle’s reply was simple: ‘His eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me.' After writing the poem, Charles Gabriel was asked to put it to music. Sung by Ethel Waters and the assembled choirs during the Billy Graham evangelistic gatherings, it remains one of the most well known gospel songs.

Arrangement by Marilynn Ham

"Two-cent" playing tip: If you move your arm or torso for the higher notes on the keyboard, the hands and fingers should lead.

Bless That Wonderful Name, arranged by Dennis Allen