March 9, 1948 - Hymn Writer Civilla Martin Dies

Civilla Martin, portrait, early 20th century. Public domain. Source: Wikimedia Commons.

Civilla Durfee Martin died on March 9, 1948, in Atlanta, Georgia, leaving behind a hymn legacy that continues to shape Christian worship. Alongside her husband, Walter Stillman Martin, she wrote numerous gospel hymns, but one stands above the rest: “His Eye Is on the Sparrow.”

The hymn was inspired by a visit to a bedridden couple in Elmira, New York, who had endured illness and confinement for decades. When Civilla asked how they maintained hope, they cited Luke 12:6–7, which teaches that not even a sparrow falls outside God’s care. If God watches over sparrows, they reasoned, surely He watches over His children. That testimony became the foundation for the hymn’s enduring refrain of divine attentiveness.

“His Eye Is on the Sparrow” later gained broader cultural recognition when jazz singer Ethel Waters adopted it as her signature song after professing faith in Christ. The hymn’s message of providence and trust resonated across denominational and cultural lines.

Civilla Martin’s work reflects the power of hymnody to translate biblical theology into lived experience. Her lyrics gave voice to suffering believers who found strength in the assurance that God’s watchful care extends even to the smallest details of life.