An actress, singer, talk show host, and author, the multi-talented Reese first started singing in church in her hometown of Detroit when she was six years old. By the age of 13, she was touring with gospel great Mahalia Jackson; then, at 18, she formed the Meditation Singers and became the first performer to bring gospel music to the casinos of Las Vegas. Reese expanded her musical repertoire as a vocalist with the Erskine Hawkins Orchestra and began recording albums, with such hits as "Don't You Know" and "And That Reminds Me" in the 1950s. She appeared extensively as a guest on the top television variety series, logging more than 20 appearances in one year on The Ed Sullivan Show on the CBS Television Network. Reese was nominated for a Grammy Award as Best Female Soloist in Gospel Music in 1987.
Tapping into her other skills, she was host of a television talk show in 1969-1970, then began guest-starring in such series as Sanford and Son, The A-Team, Crazy Like a Fox and Picket Fences. She starred in the CBS Network series Charlie & Co. and The Royal Family. Reese's current projects include a new album based on her 27-city tour with her revue, "Some of My Best Friends Are the Blues," as well as song on the Touched By An Angel Soundtrack. Her best-selling autobiography, "Angels Along the Way," is published by G.P. Putnam's Sons. Reese also starred in the telefilms Emma's Wish, with Joanna Kerns, and The Secret Path, with Ossie Davis.
His Eye Is On The Sparrow
Della Reese Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Why should the shadows come
Why should my heart feel lonely
And long for heaven and home?
When Jesus is my portion
My constant friend
Is he
His eye is on the sparrow
His eye is on the sparrow
I know he watches me
I sing because I'm happy
I sing because I'm free
His eye is on the sparrow
I know he watches me
His eye, his eye is on the sparrow
I know he watches
I know he watches
I know he watches me
I sing because I'm happy
I sing because I'm free
His eye is on the sparrow
I know, I know, I know he watches over
He watches over me
The lyrics of Della Reese's song His Eye Is On The Sparrow are about finding comfort and peace in knowing that God is watching over us. The first verse describes feelings of discouragement, loneliness, and longing for home, but ultimately acknowledges that Jesus is a constant friend and that he watches over us like he does the sparrows. The chorus reiterates this message, with the singer proclaiming her happiness and freedom because she knows that God is watching over her.
The sparrow is used as a symbol of God's care for his creation, as Jesus himself said in Matthew 10:29-31: "Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." The lyrics also reflect a common theme in gospel music of finding hope in the midst of difficult circumstances by turning to God.
Line by Line Meaning
Why should I feel discouraged
Why should I allow despair to fill my heart
Why should the shadows come
Why should clouds of sorrow gather around me
Why should my heart feel lonely
Why should my spirit feel forsaken
And long for heaven and home?
And yearn for the eternal rest that awaits me in heaven?
When Jesus is my portion
When Christ is my eternal reward
My constant friend
My faithful companion
Is he
He is with me
His eye is on the sparrow
He is mindful of even the smallest creatures
I know he watches me
I have assurance that he cares for me
I sing because I'm happy
I raise my voice in joyous praise
I sing because I'm free
I celebrate the freedom I have found in Christ
His eye, his eye is on the sparrow
He constantly watches over his creation
I know he watches
I am certain that he sees
I know he watches me
I rest in the knowledge of his loving gaze upon me
I know, I know, I know he watches over
I am confident that he always keeps watch
He watches over me
He sustains and protects me
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: HARVEY FUQUA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@iluvmyboba
My, LORD what range have YOU given YOUR daughter Della. Just beautiful, GOD. Hallelujah!!!
@ImaginationStudios123
Thanks Della without you Roman Downey and the rest of the touch bond angel cast along with my mom grandmother's I wouldn't have been saved so from the bottom of my heart. Thank you so much
@BirdWhoRunsWithWaves
I get tears remembering how my mom spoke about her wonderful voice when we watched Touched By An Angel together. My mom transitioned on Christmas Eve 2021 and I know she is singing with Della in heaven and the angels. We also watched her in Christmas Angel (came out in 2012) and her powerful raw performance moved us to tears. I just watched this on TV again and in tears missing my mom every day.
@SadeWithTheReceipts
SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL!!!! MY GOD! Her enunciation is so perfect with every word, key, and note. Madam Della Reese, you are truly a gem. Madam Mahalia Jackson taught you well my darling. I am only now seeing this on 5/11/2023 at 3:25 a.m. Much love from Central Florida, thanks for sharing this with us :)
@KajiVocals
What a truly colossal voice. Just a column of sound when she wants. And other moments so soft. So warm and rich. Great voice.
@ivangranger8494
Our Angel that walked the earth, For our Lord. A Blessing.
Dear, Della. ✨😇🕊✨
@arlenecerf8833
Come on Ms Reese 🙌🏽 You better praise Him !!! Hallelujah 🙏 🙏
@06JOHNNYBGOOD
What a darlin, that was so beautiful, I am blown away.
@stephenvincent4989
Della with a voice that reached other parts that others could only dream of.
Truly special & magical.
@gxl5892
Completely underrated!!!!!! Amazing!!!!