This is an arrangement of the song "His Eye is on the Sparrow", lyrics by Civilla D. Martin, music by Charles H. Gabriel published in 1905 (public domain).

I've dedicated this arrangement in memory of Colonel Ernie Miller. He performed this vocal solo countless times when he was bandmaster of the Chicago Staff Band of The Salvation Army "The Band with a Sacred Message". As a young pianist, he asked me to accompany him, and he would always precede this solo with the words "Gerry, something in the key of C". The last time we performed this together was in 2007 at a CSB anniversary alumni concert, where Ernie was the guest conductor. He announced his solo "over the years, my voice has changed a little, so Gerry, let's do something in the key of Bb". And so, it is with fond memories that I present this version. My prayer is that these familiar words will spark a note of hope into the hearts of the listener that can only be found in our savior Jesus.

The first verse begins "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; His eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me". These are dark questions that nearly every believer in Jesus has pondered when faced with discouragement, even when holding onto their faith in his watchful care.

Verse three continues "Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise, when songs give place to sighing, when hope within me dies..." The response of the author is "I draw closer to him, from care he sets me free, His eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me".

The arrangement concludes with two refrains: "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"