His Eye Is on the Sparrow

"His Eye Is on the Sparrow" is a gospel hymn written in 1905 by lyricist Civilla D. Martin and composer Charles H. Gabriel. Inspired by passages from the Bible, the song has become one of the most enduring and frequently recorded gospel standards. It is closely associated with actress-singer Ethel Waters, who used the title for her autobiography and helped popularize the hymn in the early 20th century. Over the decades, "His Eye Is on the Sparrow" has been recorded by numerous artists. Lauryn Hill and Tanya Blount's 1993 performance of the song in the film Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit became one of the most definitive renditions for modern audiences.

Mahalia Jackson's influential recording of the hymn was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2010. Whitney Houston recorded a version for the soundtrack of the 2012 film Sparkle, which became a posthumous number one gospel single on the Billboard charts. The song was also covered by pop singer Jessica Simpson as the final track on her 2001 album Irresistible. A slightly altered version of the song, titled "His Eye Is on the Tiny Bird," was recorded by actress Violet Carson in 1972.