Ethel Waters - Eyes On The Sparrow

[Applebaum]

....well im a 33 yr old Black woman from the UK and Im so glad that I was born in this era....cos I pretty sure I would have had to had killed some white people...I love white people and some of my best friends are white lol but Im just sayin

[Axgoodofdunemaul]

The old south vanished when air conditioning was introduced.

[musicalrich1]

Rugbytim 1, you are very insightful. I was moved poignantly by your remarks.

Keep on listening!

[irvinetustin]

Ethel had an amazing faith in God and a wonderful musical talent.

[TheTanker03]

thank you for this video . what movie was this in?

[poetcomic1]

I can't believe the garbage that is on DVD and this is so hard to find.

[tjfees]

My highlight of the film! Ethel Waters was a gifted musician and actor!

[Kendalwood40s]

This brings back any wonderful memories - thanks for posting :-)

[DerrickthePinecone]

What a gorgeous film this is! TCM just showed this again, and it was my second viewing. I adore it. It reaches in deep and grasps my heart, and certainly tugs at these southern bones of mine. A poignant scene here, filled with compassion and love. It seems our world has waxed cold, without a true love/concern for one another. Back in those days, people genuinely cared about you--they'd stop and see if everything was alright. Oh how times have changed...

[juanbosco31]

In memory ....

[crankbv1]

What makes this so very poignant is that she's performing the all too rare thing of singing without instrumental backing and to stunning effect...probably through just a single overhead microphone. lt takes some kind of voice to attempt that. But back then you had to have some special quality or you just didn't make it,and Ethel had that something by the spadeful. It's nice to know that her long life ended in comfort and security. It makes a change from many we hear of.

[10imatt]

sounds like ella fitzgerald

[spershall]

She is so beautiful! Also, this movie makes me thankful for air conditioning.

[Gwenrevere]

I've told people about this moment many times. Thanks for posting it! What a treasure.

[sfranz9873]

That is truly one of the most precious moments every! I don't think it could ever be recreated again!

[fefebabes2]

shes really good. Just watched Pinky and she was amazing

[1laughinggravy]

Many others have sung this song. But I bet Ethel Waters is the singer the Lord requests to sing it in heaven.  No one else can top her rendition of this great song. She has made it her own.

[mrsnickjonas61]

Her great great neice!!!!!Shes my BBFL

[starrychica82]

Sang this in choir. Beautiful song

[lissiwill]

PEOPLE ARE VERY NICE WHEN THEY'RE GLUED TO ONE SPOT .. KINDNESS AND CRUELTY - ONE EYE FOR EACH

[britcomic]

This made me cry

[jeanmo60]

Just got done watching this movie. It is so moving. I really enjoyed it =)

[Clayton19651]

Ms. Waters was the first black actress in film and black film...largely ignored because she never won an Oscar or became of popular as Ms. Leena Horne.. Great lady also but this gal was also in Cabin in the sky. Ethel Waters supported the Billy Graham Crusades later in her life. She was an awesome woman...God Bless and will see her again. RIP

[Rugbytim1]

I am a 40 year old (white) man.. I am a avid hard rock fan. I am however educated in good music of all genre. Ethel Waters, Mahalia Jackson and many before them broke ground and the chains of a oppressive society at the time with ONE tool...a "Voice" ..a " Voice" of beauty, of faith and of love to mankind. These women were women of influence on many people in the music industry. Without them our society would have a void and we are that much richer for having theie legacy and music they left.

[operaoftheworld]

@Rugbytim1 AMEN, I sing because I'm Happy, thank you Ethel Waters

[operaoftheworld]

@Rugbytim1 AMEN, I sing because I'm Happy, thank you Ethel Waters.....

[Axgoodofdunemaul]

@Rugbytim1 I'm a 69 year old white man. I was raised in Memphis. You are so right. Bless us every one.

[jaroncreed]

that boy in the video died exactly 20 years after this movie came out

[jaroncreed]

Dude everybody needs to get high and watch this movie you will fucking die laughing. I just got a copy of this movie burned onto DVD

[mattdarliene]

I love you Ethel. You are a great blessing and forever will be.

[Treblinka2012]

poor little stuka died THAT IS SAD

[NoRosesForMe]

My favorite gospel song. ♥ This is so sweet. Thank you for positng.

[2minutes2go]

@NoRosesForMe No mammy for you

[mrazsong]

awesome song

[butchscorner]

Ethel Waters. The one and only. Its hard to find her records these days.

[magagd]

I read the story of Ethel Waters about 23 years ago. It is so cool to see her sing. Thanks for this post. Blessings!

[SAYZ]

What a great performance , play and piece of wring by Carson McCullers !

[1laughinggravy]

Many beautiful voices have sung this song, but it BELONGS to Ethel Waters. What a voice!!!!!!!!!!!!

[daytimetexas]

I think God likes this song! It is so beautiful and restful! I can listen over and over! No one can sing it like Ethel Waters.......I would love to have this recording.

[seekyefirst]

Just listening to the words of that song and the enthusiasm and life ethel brings to it just lights the fire of faith wihin.

[RobGoth100]

I love the last line.

[52frankie55]

One of my all-time favorite movies!  Wish I had had "Bernice" for a friend/confidant when I was growing up. What a wonderful character and how wonderfully portrayed by Ethel Waters.

[odovicor]

@52frankie55 I saw this film back in the sixties when I was about the age of John Henry. My own grandmother reminded me of Bernice, a white Bernice. Amazon just notified me that my copy of this movie has been shipped. One of my favorite movies of all time!!! Check out Waters in "Cabin In the Sky."

[CharlesHerschel]

Dear Brandon Silver, Julie Harris was recreating the role she originated on Broadway and it is a treasure to have it preserved on film. It was a truly amazing work of artistic genius. We live in such a world now that very few of us can still appreciate something so beautiful.

[wavesnearmyhome]

What a lovely song!

[TIPTON340]

RIP Ethel Waters

RIP Brandon De Wilde

[briligplace]

I have been looking out for this film for years - saw it as a kid and knocked out by the girl's performance. Thanks for the post

[acountrygent]

You need a flashlight to find one in any rap song..."

rap is recitation. ain't no melody there. looking for melody in rap is like looking for ice cubes in a hot tub

[JROnstage]

for all us sparrows...enjoy...and Happy Easter!

[itsEggA]

they sweating bullets lol

[LaVerne37]

I am unable to locate this film...I had no idea that the boy was Brandon De Wilde of the Paul Newman film:  "Hud."

I've only seen the remake...Alfre Woodard is sensational...many thanks for posting.

[rodgilbert]

Julie Harris was amazing in this movie.

[ItBrandonSilver]

Are you fucking kidding me?

She was HORRIBLE. Playing a 12 year old and in reality she was around 30?

One of the WORST performances I've ever seen.

[cherokeedonna83]

I watched this movie about a month ago. Loved it. 5 stars and favored.

[TheodoraCarolina]

What a gem.

[ModGirl1967]

hawkseye17: I agree. Genius acting.

[LickMyCuntMoFo]

How is this genius acting?

[brownsugah66]

Ethel Waters was very spiritual person who you can feel emotion from when she sings and acts..... anyone with a moniker like yours that has to ask is on the opposite end of genius ....

[Love4Macca]

oh fuck you

[cherokeedonna83]

Watch the movie fool !

[abfabulous]

I have been trying to get a copy of this movie, with no luck. Any suggestions? DVD of course.

[hawkseye17]

best movie ever=,]

[LoudCitizen]

I sang this at my dad's funeral. Nice song.

[vince065us]

This was my mom's favorite hymn.We were singing it with her before she passed away.

[renew2day]

Beautiful!

Carmen McRae also does a superb job on this song.

I prefer the non-shouting versions. A whisper sometimes can be louder than a scream!

[Akakijakakijevic]

this is not from the film. It must be from the play the film was based on. The arrangement of the song is different in the film, as is the image.

[Love4Macca]

no this is from the movie i promise, go and watch it again.

[myfilmblog]

somebody needs to post this film

[FSharp98012]

"Miss Otis Regrets" holding Julie Harris and Brandon De Wilde on her lap? Never. Sometimes Hollywood gets it absolutely right in embellishing what was already perfect. The perfect movie of a perfect book ambered in a perfect moment.

[footman61]

GOD made only one Ethel Waters and for eternity she can be seen and heard in movies,records and on old Billy Graham shows,surely shes at GOD's right side !

[TheLonghornCowboy]

The eyes of the sparrow

labore et virtute

barbados

tupac i get around

g torn mac cry little sister

mlk i have a dream

metalica enter sandman

nickelback if everyone cared

breaking benjamin until the end

the sparrow

[Amunhotep4th]

Only Ethel could sing that song !!! Nice to finally find that clip from the movie - been looking for it for years.

[morticiaaddams77]

Footcheck, thank you a million times for the long and clear version of the best gospel song on film.

Hugs, Morticia

[HymnTimeGospelSongs]

Great movie and song....

[BrxtnRssSth]

the boy is brandon de wilde who was the kid in the movie "shane". he died in an auto accident in the mid 1970s around the age of 30

[LitCrit101]

Does anyone have the whole film? I'd love to see it again, but it's not available in the country where I live.

[jillidog]

"Member of the Wedding" is one of my old time favorite movies... The story is beautiful, charming and very funny also. By the time they sing this song, you are already captivated by the 3 charachtors, you just melt away... The acting is incredible! See this movie, if you can...

[BE4eva16]

honestly looking at this as they are in character, it makes me think of how even if things don't look good, "God's eye is on the sparrow and i know He's watching me"

[Corrie121]

Very, very moving.

This makes me remember the existence of a merciful God. It also humbles me.

Thank you for sharing this wonderful clip. Ethel was truly majestic.

[Lisa13245]

I couldn't have said it better.

[MovableBass]

what is this from.... because I'm done....just done....wow...glory to GOD.

[BE4eva16]

amen. :)

[tealeafsen]

" A member of the wedding " good old movie and book. julie harris is the girl?

[justowatchvideos]

this was amazing

[scarletngold]

tissue time brb....

[Dominicano1197]

I just cried watching this. It's such a statement of purity.

[patriciaoday]

This hymn has such a lovely melody. I think we are starved for great melodies in our society. You need a flashlight to find one in any rap or rock song today. Bleah.

[2minutes2go]

@patriciaoday God, this was gross. two slimy wet white children hugging on her because she's their black mammy. Whites hated [some still do] blacks so much but wanted blacks to love them unconditionally. Hence, calling old black people uncle and aunt. It makes me want to vomit. these images are so offensive and sickening.

[sarmadasco]

@2minutes2go If you have ever seen/read the play/film with Elthel Waters and Julie Harris, "A Member of the Wedding",you would see that they were ALL sweating and the 2 kids love and respect Ms Water's character. She's not their "mammy." I would find many who differ with you about whites wanting blacks to love them unconditionally. What is sick, is racism, not the hugging,. All of us seek respect. And when called aunt/uncle, it's used as a term of endearment, yes, even in the days of slavery.

[2minutes2go]

@sarmadasco ''it's used as a term of endearment, yes, even in the days of slavery.''

sure it's a term of endearment to someone they owned, who they refused to free, selling their children, parading them around on auction blocks, beat them on whipping posts, etc.

but once they got old they wanted hugs from those people and called them aunt and uncle. calling a black person/piece of property who has been treated like an animal all their life a ''term of endearment'' is offensive and gross. sick.

[kimrabb]

@2minutes2go Thank you for clarifying that to @sarmadasco and how insulting it is to say those words were a term of endearment when we know they were not. That is just something some people say to make themselves feel better and to avoid the ugly truth. They did not grow up listening to these old people at home complaining about them and how void of reality they were. It is amazing how some think Uncle and Aunt is a term of endearment. amazing.

[2minutes2go]

@kimrabb Thank you. He is one of those racists who believes he's not racist because he is comforted by Black people like Morgan Freeman. The idea that they can stomp on someone's race and those people still 'love' them is comforting to racists in denial. He thinks because he likes something it makes it okay. The fact that he deludes himself into believing that Blacks like being called Aunt or Uncle is laughable. Those people just don't know what to say but they're not flattered.

[kingarthurup]

@2minutes2go

I just love little ole whities out there voting for Obama and thinking that they are above racism... You don't know what you are talking about Libtard.

[2minutes2go]

@kingarthurup Fool, Obama is half white so your racist ass calling a man who is 50 percent white ''black'' shows how crazy you are. Any white libtards or republican turds who voted for him definitely kept that in mind, dipshit.  They were voting for the part of him that reminded them of themselves and their own ancestry, not his African side, dumbass racist.

[kingarthurup]

@2minutes2go

Although I bow to your expertise in being a dumbass racist, I believe that you should focus more on your homosexuality, you koolaid drinking Odumba voting libtarded butt cheese!

Best wishes!

[kingarthurup]

@kimrabb

You are a retard.

[kimrabb]

@2minutes2go It was not a term of endearment at all. When they were too old to be called Gal and Boy, they were called Uncle and Aunt but it was in no way endearment, it was ignorance and a part of systematic racism.

People do not need to drill holes in their heads to release demons, no. You are the one that needs to understand how it makes us feel and we need not placate you with promoting something that was and is not true. She was a mammy figure, it is a nice film but she was mammy. 

[2minutes2go]

@kimrabb Very good point. It's disrespectful and it's annoying that even in today's times many Whites still crave that type of twisted one sided relationship. Look at all the views on this video, and how racist people gave his racist response to me a thumbs up. I've heard white people calling old black women, mommy. They actually used the word mommy. Nasty. They need to deal with the fact that while we are descendants of the original people on earth we are not their f-cking mommies or daddies.

[2minutes2go]

@sarmadasco Sweating and singing while holding white people in a loving embrace is the typical mammy figure in movies back then. No wonder she was the first black actress to ever be nominated for an Oscar. She provided feel good moments and catered to the white superiority ego. That is a form of racism whether you like or not.

[scudder99]

@2minutes2go  Maybe it had to do with her talent. Good lord.

[2minutes2go]

@scudder99 Yeah Right! She was not that talented and even is she was there were FAR better singers/actresses than her. Did Hattie McDaniel's Oscar nomination have to do with talent too? What about Stepin Fetchit? He was the first Black actor to make a million dollars. It had less to do with talent and more to do with what made whites feel good. End of story.

[scudder99]

@2minutes2go What a revealing manner of response you make to such a tender and classic performance. Perhaps you should take a minute, have a glass of water, and drill some holes in your head to let the demons out.

[scudder99]

@2minutes2go oh dear. take an aspirin or something.

[friendsfamilyaccount]

@2minutes2go I would suggest you read Waters biography.  She was a key figure in breaking stereotypes. She was absolutely key in opening doors for Black performers. She played in Black theaters in the 1920's and refused to perform unless the whites were seated in the balcony, and the Blacks up front. YES it was a horrible world but Ethel Waters was one of those people who started to turn the tide for black performers.

[2minutes2go]

@friendsfamilyaccount That sounds really interesting but if she had black people seated up front so they could watch this mammy act, that still repulses me. Even more so because then the racist trash had a worms eye view of the so called darkies watching a Oscar nominated wet nurse. Sorry, but you know how reactive some black people can be at movies, etc. I'm sure the balcony bastards had a good time watching the show.

[sarmadasco]

@2minutes2go Not to disagree, but your stats are a bit wrong. Hattie McDaniel was the 1st person of color to be nominated and win the Oscar in a Supporting Role. Best Actor category, Sydney Poitier was nominated 2x around '60 . Best Actress category was Dorothy Dandridge in the 50's. Best Supporting Actor was an actor Rupert Crosse in the 60's, then Howard Rollins for 'Ragtime.' McDaniel predated her colleagues by 25 yrs or so, for playing "Mammy" in 'Gone With the Wind.' Sharing, is all.

[2minutes2go]

@sarmadasco Okay, I read somewhere that while Hattie was the first to win, Ethel was the first to be nominated. But of course I read that on online so I should have checked the source. I think it said Ethel was nominated for this movie, "His Eye is on the Sparrow."

[kingarthurup]

@2minutes2go

you are a frustrated obama voting libtard aren't you?

[MsJoy82]

great singing love the harmony.

[brownpuzzy]

Footcheck posts some awesome videos.

[LauraAmiga]

Beautiful!. My heart melts hearing this song. Purity is the word.

[dinasaur2]

How beautiful Ethel is-she can look over me

[Msweetamerican]

it reminds me how much God Loves me and you..

[rodgilbert]

amazing. remembering the movie "Cabin In the Sky" so i looked up Ethel.

[alfieism]

LOVE her!

[robbourassaguitarist]

This is great.

[memfisman]

Wonderful!!!

[jolsonstories]

How can one not be unmoved to tears when seeing and hearing the wonderful Ethel Waters singing this moving song? And cuddled by Julie Harris and Brandon DeWilde? By the way, "His Eye is on the Sparrow" is the title of her best selling autobiography. She was one of the truly greatest ladies of show business and the world.

[aesthetic1950]

It is time well spent reading her biography. A spiritual odyssey. She is so beautiful through and through.

[carpentersdaughter2]

It's been so long since I've seen her sing this song. Thank you for posting this.

[u2boyu2]

Great film. Miss Ethel was truly a force! Thanks for posting this awesome performance!

[Darneloh]

Beautiful wow I never seen this movie in my life hearing this makes want to see it really touching.

[chespear]

This is "high" art, without the ususal "frills". Bravo!

[Somepeople]

Wonderful! Love this scene in the movie. Ethel Waters was the best. Also check out Waters in Billy Graham Crusades, singing "Sparrow" at age 79. Posted by shawnjor - it is AMAZING!

[jalollybad]

I loved the movie, love the song.

[MONTELLIA62]

Great!! !!She messed me up when she did this song in The member of the wedding. momtellia62

[pedmst]

I used to watch Ethel Waters sing this over and over in Billy Graham Crusades. I'm so glad this was on You Tube. Thank you.

[USAlovesCanada]

ME TOO. WHAT A GIFT SHE WAS.

[onceaking]

What a gift to be able to see this video 30 years after she's gone, i am truly grateful.

[9aspengold5]

Everything Ethel Waters' touched was magic. "Class" in it's full definition.

[chaveneau]

j'ai lu il y a très longtemps son autobiographie "ma vie en blues" - fascinant ! Quel est le titre en anglais ?

[Somepeople]

En angalis, c'est "HIs Eye is on the Sparrow". C'est vraiment "Ma vie en blues" en francais? C'est tres different, cette titre!

[sakliegel]

Saw Ethel Waters perform "The Member of the Wedding" at the Pasadena Playhouse in the 60's. It was one of the best times of my life.  I loved Ethel Waters and I still love her music. What a wonderful Christian!

[pamtime04]

What I meant was listening to this song too often is never enough

[pamtime04]

I cant listen to this too often

[mkbell2003]

Ethel Waters was so real! Love her earthy demeanor. Such a pure artist.

[welch57]

This is pure magic! A tender, emotional and deeply moving Hollywood moment. A terrific, but underrated movie. For more about Miss Waters, read new book 'Ethel Waters: Stormy Weather'.

[sojourner63]

Absolutely wonderful! Thank you. :)

[pamtime04]

again, excellent. thank you.

[olr333]

Thank you for sharing this. Agreed; to me this is the definitive version of this gospel favorite. Thanks, again...and God bless you.

[fabifly]

That was so sweet! :) I love Ethel Waters. She was soo cool!

[waldemar29]

This made my cry; it's as moving now as it was when I first saw it.

[VonsOwn]

this was awesome, what movie is this from

[USAlovesCanada]

There is something so P U R E about this song. It really moves me also.

[SplinterG66]

One of my favorite movies, this play has been redone with Pearl Bailey, and also Alfrie Woodard (excuse the spelling) it's a wonderful book and play. If you ever get the chance, watch it. VERY touching, and probably a very under-rated play.

[Patchor]

One of THE best renditions ever !

[chriskavi]

Thank you Ethel for making this song popular, it is truely very touching

[TheAleph74]

Very moving... almost moved me to tears... exactly what I was needing to hear and be reminded at this time. Thanks for sharing.