Washburn says she never set out to be a songwriter or a recording artist. In 2005 when she found herself on stage in a smoke-filled Beijing club playing her banjo and singing old-time Appalachian mountain music in Chinese to a packed house, she was as surprised as anyone. “A daring, definite talent, whose feel for the folk idiom results in moving material. Soulful is the word,” hailed the Wall Street Journal at the time. “On stage, her voice resonated with the power of a seasoned performer and her poetic hill tunes sounded all the more evocative in Chinese.”
It was in Tennessee in 2000 that Washburn met KC Groves, one of the founding members of the band Uncle Earl, and she went on to spend five years touring with the band. In 2005, in the midst of touring with Uncle Earl, Washburn released her first solo debut, and bilingual album, Song of the Traveling Daughter, (Nettwerk). At that point Washburn joined cellist, Ben Sollee, in performing her music around the globe. In 2005 Washburn, Sollee and a few friends—Béla Fleck on banjo, Casey Driessen on fiddle- toured China and recorded as Abigail Washburn & The Sparrow Quartet. In 2006, the US State Department and the American Center for Educational Exchange requested that the group come back to lead the first official tour of a US band in Tibet.
In 2010, Washburn released "City Of Refuge".
As a member of The Wu Force, they played their first show together at the Yugong Yishan music club in Beijing in late 2011 and came back together in early 2014.
Beginning in August 2013, Washburn began performing and recording as the duo Béla Fleck & Abigail Washburn with her husband Béla Fleck.
In 2020, Washburn released an album as Wu Fei & Abigail Washburn.
His Eye Is On The Sparrow
Abigail Washburn Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Why should my heart be lonely and long for heavenly home
Well Jesus is my potion, my constant friend is he
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me
Well, I sing because I'm happy, I sing because I'm free
His eye is on the sparrow and I know he watches me
In Abigail Washburn's rendition of "His Eye Is on the Sparrow," she sings about finding comfort in Jesus and trusting in his unwavering watchfulness over her life. The song starts with a rhetorical question, "Why should I feel discouraged?" and goes on to wonder about the shadows that can cause loneliness and the longing for a heavenly home. However, Washburn finds her solace in her faith - Jesus is her potion, her constant friend, and his watchful eye is always on the sparrow. The repetition of "His eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me" reinforces the message that there is no need to be scared or worried because Jesus is always present, watching over her.
The final verse of the song explains why Washburn sings - because she is happy and free. This ending ties the song together, reminding the listener that by trusting in Jesus, they too can find joy and freedom in their lives. "His Eye Is on the Sparrow" is a song of hope and trust, encouraging believers to take comfort in their faith in Jesus.
Line by Line Meaning
Why should I feel discouraged and why should the shadows fall
I wonder why I should be disheartened and experience darkness in my life
Why should my heart be lonely and long for heavenly home
Why should I feel alone and yearn for a place in heaven
Well Jesus is my potion, my constant friend is he
Jesus is my cure, my companion who is always with me
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me
God's attention is on even the smallest creature, and I'm confident he's watching over me
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me
God's attention is on even the smallest creature, and I'm confident he's watching over me
Well, I sing because I'm happy, I sing because I'm free
I sing because I'm joyful, and I sing because I'm liberated
His eye is on the sparrow and I know he watches me
God's attention is on even the smallest creature, and I'm confident he's watching over me
Contributed by Makayla M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
A V
Just saw them in concert in San Antonio, TX. Tremendous performances!!! Abigail IS singing because she's happy and free. Bela's virtuosity shines. We can feel it, and we are grateful.
Gregory Letts
World class talent
smccord
amazing talent, great to see live
megan brown
beautiful! :) love the banjo
Jason Day
You guys rock when coming to San Diego!!!
NMD
#GODDESS, lol