Diane Ernestine Earle Ross (born March 26, 1944), better known as Diana Ros… Read Full Bio ↴Diane Ernestine Earle Ross (born March 26, 1944), better known as Diana Ross, is an American soul, R&B and pop singer and actress born in Detroit, Michigan. Ross is one of the most successful female artists of her era, both due to her solo work and her role as lead singer of The Supremes during the 1960s.

In 1959, Ross was brought to the attention of Milton Jenkins, the manager of the local doo-wop group The Primes, by Mary Wilson. Primes member Paul Williams convinced Jenkins to enlist Ross in the sister group The Primettes, which included Wilson, Florence Ballard and Betty McGlown.

In 1976, Billboard magazine named her the female entertainer of the century. In 1993, The Guinness Book Of World Records listed her as the most successful female artist ever (the title is now attributed to Madonna), partly due to her combined total of eighteen number-one singles, six of them recorded solo and the remaining dozen from her work with the Supremes.

Ross was also one of the few pop singers to find modest success in the acting world winning an Academy Award nomination for her role as Billie Holiday in the 1972 film, "Lady Sings the Blues" as well as having hits with other film roles such as "Mahogany", "Out of Darkness" and "Double Platinum", not to mention her role in "The Wiz".

Ross has been awarded many lifetime achievement accolades from many organizations and media outlets: she has been featured on BET, Soul Train, and awarded multiple times at the NAACP Image Awards, the Kennedy Center Honors in 2007 and given the Grammy Lifetime Achievement in 2011.

Ross' professional vocal collaborators have included the following during her career: Marvin Gaye, Lionel Richie, Rod Stewart, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Julio Iglesias, Jose Carreras, Placido Domingo, and Smokey Robinson, among many others.

His Eye Is On The Sparrow
Diana Ross Lyrics

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Why should i feel discouraged
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

I know he watches me
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

Overall Meaning

Diana Ross's song His Eye is On The Sparrow is a powerful and uplifting anthem about the strength of faith and the comfort it can bring during difficult times. In the first stanza, the singer questions why they should feel discouraged or lonely when they have Jesus as their constant friend and their portion. The second stanza then reveals the source of the singer's hope - they know that no matter what happens, God is watching over them like he watches over the sparrows. The final stanza repeats the assurance that the singer's faith in God brings them happiness and freedom, as they joyfully proclaim that God is always watching over them.

The metaphor of the sparrow is very important in this song. In the Bible, sparrows are often used as a symbol of God's love and concern for even the smallest and most insignificant creatures in the world. Jesus himself references sparrows when he tells his followers not to worry about their needs, saying "Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father" (Matthew 10:29). By invoking the image of the sparrow, this song emphasizes the idea that no matter how small or overlooked we may feel, God still cares for us deeply and is always watching over us.

Overall, His Eye is On The Sparrow is a beautiful ode to the power of faith and the comfort it can bring during difficult times. By reminding the listener that God's eye is always on them, even in their darkest moments, the song provides hope and encouragement to keep moving forward.

Line by Line Meaning

Why should i feel discouraged
Why should I allow myself to be disheartened

Why should the shadows come
Why should I let darkness overshadow my life

Why should my heart feel lonely
Why should I allow myself to be isolated

And long for heaven and home?
And yearn for a place of comfort and security?

When jesus is my portion
When Jesus is my source of fulfillment

My constant friend is he
He is my unwavering companion

His eye is on the sparrow
His attention is even on the smallest bird

I know he watches me
I am aware that He is constantly observing me

I sing because I'm happy
I express my joy through singing

I sing because I'm free
I celebrate my freedom through singing

His eye is on the sparrow
Even the little bird is not forgotten by Him