I am only a little sparrow,
A bird of low degree;
My life is of little value,
But the dear Lord cares for me.
He gave me a coat of feathers;
It is very plain, I know,
With never a speck of crimson,
For it was not made for show.
But it keeps me warm in winter,
And it shields me from the rain;
Were it bordered with gold or purple
Perhaps it would make me vain.
By and by, when spring-time comes,
I’ll build myself a nest,
With many a chirp of pleasure,
In the spot I like the best.
And He will give me wisdom
To build it of leaves most brown;
Soft it must be for my birdies,
And so I will line it with down.
I have no barn or storehouse,
I neither sow nor reap;
God gives me a sparrow’s portion,
But never a seed to keep.
If my meal is sometimes scanty,
Close picking makes it sweet;
I have always enough to feed me,
And “life is more than meat.”
I know there are many sparrows—
All over the world we are found—
But our heavenly Father knoweth
When one of us falls to the ground.
Though small, we are never forgotten;
Though weak, we are never afraid;
For we know that the dear Lord keepeth
The life of the creatures he made.
I fly through the thickest forests,
I light on many a spray;
I have no chart or compass,
But I never lose my way.
And I fold my wings at twilight,
Wherever I happen to be;
For the Father is always watching,
And no harm will come to me.
I am only a little sparrow,
A bird of low degree,
But I know that the Father loves me.
Have you less faith than we?
