LYRICS

1. You put your left hand in, you put your left hand out.
You put your left hand in and you shake it all about.

Chorus:
You do the Hokey Pokey and you turn yourself around.
Happy we’re heaven bound.

2. You put your right hand in, you put your right hand out.
You put your right hand in and you shake it all about. 
Chorus

3. You put your left foot in, you put your left foot out.
You put your left foot in and you shake it all about. 
Chorus

4. You put your right foot in, you put your right foot out.
You put your right foot in and you shake it all about. 
Chorus

5. You put your head in, you put your head out.
You put your head in and you shake it all about. 
Chorus

6. You put your whole self in, you put your whole self out.
You put your whole self in and you shake it all about.  
Chorus

You do the Hokey Pokey and you turn yourself around.
Happy we’re heaven, Happy we’re heaven, Happy we’re heaven bound.

His Eye is on the Sparrow
(1905)

Hymn Background:

“I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.”  Psalm 32:8

“Look at the birds of the air; they neither reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?”
Matthew 6:26

This hymn is a gospel hymn written in 1905 by lyricist Civilla D. Martin and composer Charles H. Gabriel. The theme is inspired by the words of David in the Psalms and Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew.   

Written by the lyricist sharing her inspiration: “Early in the spring of 1905, my husband and I were sojourning in Elmire, New York. During this visit we developed a deep friendship for a couple by the name of Mr. and Mrs. Doolittle — true saints of God. Mrs. Doolittle had been beridden for 20 years. Her husband was an incurable cripple who had to propel himself to and from his business in a wheelchair. Despite their afflictions, they lived happy Christian lives, bringing inspiration and comfort to all who knew them.

One day while visiting them, my husband commented on their bright hopefulness and asked them for the secret of it. Mrs. Doolittle’s reply was simple: “His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watched me.” The beauty of this simple expression of boundless faith gripped the hearts and fired the imagination of Dr. Martin and me. This hymn was the outcome of that experience.”

Over the years this hymn has been performed and recorded by many artists. It is most associated with actress-singer Ethel Waters who used the title for her autobiography.

Mahalia Jackson’s recording was honored with the Grammy Hall of Fame Award in 2010. Whitney Houston recorded it for the 2012 remake of the 1976 musical film ‘Sparkle’. RCA Records released it four months after Houston’s death.

His Eye Is on the Sparrow
LYRICS:

1. Why should I feel discouraged, Why should the shadows come,
Why should my heart be lonely and long for heaven and home,
When Jesus is my portion? 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.

Refrain:
I sing because I’m happy,  I sing because I’m free,
For his eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

2. Let not your heart be troubled, his tender word I hear,
And resting on his goodness, I lose my doubts and fears;
Though by the path he leadeth but one step I may see;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me. 

Refrain

3. Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise,
When song gives place to sighing, when hope within me dies,
I draw the closer to Him from care He sets me free.
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me.

Refrain

Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ