Hillary Clinton Recites Hymn at Black Gospel Award Show: 'What's Better Than Raising Your Voices to God?'
Democratic presidential frontrunner Hillary Clinton incited shouts and screams from audience members at the Stellar Awards show in Las Vegas, Nevada, last weekend when she talked her way through a portion of the lyrics to the popular Christian hymn "His Eye Is On The Sparrow."
The classic hymn written in 1905 by religious writer Civilla was inspired by Matthew 10:29-31.
"29 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. 30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows," says the Scripture.
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And Clinton tapped into the spirit of the hymn as she raised the lyrics at the Stellar Awards which has become the premier Gospel event that recognizes and honors African American artists. It also showcases top Gospel artists and many television and film stars according to the show's website.
"We all face troubles don't we," she told the audience according to a TV One video posted to YouTube. "And it's easy to get discouraged. And then all of a sudden maybe you hear a song in church, you hear it on the radio, maybe a friend is singing it," she said, before launching into the lyrics of "His Eye Is On The Sparrow."
"I sing because I'm happy, I sing because I'm free. His eye is on the sparrow, and I know he's watching me," she said as the audience cheered.
"And all of a sudden those clouds lift and you know you can go on again. So I know this is not just about music. It truly is about the message. It's about the Gospel and all that it means to so many of us," she continued before praising the music ministers for the work they were doing.
"So I want to thank you. I wish all of you well — not just in these awards but in every day, in every way," she said. "I am grateful that you are in our lives. A lot of people need to hear that message and you are helping to deliver it."
In a follow-up interview with NewsOne after the show, Clinton who was in Las Vegas for the Nevada Caucuses on Saturday said "I am a person of faith" in explaining why she was so happy to be at the show.
"Well I was so thrilled to learn that the Stellar Awards were here. And some of the greatest gospel singers and inspirations were here and a friend of mine knows Don and they were talking and he reached out and I said 'I'm gonna fit it in. No matter what.' We are in the middle of these caucuses here. But it lifted my spirit to come and really express my appreciation," she said.
Clinton defeated her rival Sen. Bernie Sanders with the support of minority voters and enthusiastic workers in the city's big casinos on Saturday.
"I am so grateful because the artists and the arrangers and the writers tap into something so deep and you know, I am a person of faith, I am a person who finds inspiration and support meaning in many different ways but what's better than raising your voices to God and being able to connect that brings others along with you," said Clinton.
She said there are many songs which mean a lot to her but "His Eye Is On The Sparrow" simply popped into her head while she was greeting the audience and she decided to share the lyrics.
"There are so many songs that meant so much to me and that just popped into my head as I was standing out there because you know, there is a lot of difficult things going on in the world today. I have been in Flint, Michigan recently and it's heartbreaking to see a community being poisoned because of the indifference, neglect of their governor," said Clinton. "And yet I went to the House of Prayer and the resilience, the love and so much of it was communicated in the Gospel singing that was going on. So I'm someone who needs it myself and I'm grateful."
