Civilla Durfee Martin

Civilla Durfee Martin (August 21, 1866 – March 9, 1948) was a Canadian-American writer of many religious hymns and gospel songs in the late 19th century and early 20th century. Her husband, Walter Stillman Martin (1862–1935), studied ministry at Harvard University, where he became a Baptist minister but later switched to the Disciples of Christ. Together they created hymns and songs which have become widely known. Some of her most popular pieces include “God Will Take Care of You”, “One of God’s Days”, “Going Home”, “The Old Fashioned Way”, and “His Eye Is on the Sparrow”.

Civilla Durfee Martin was a schoolteacher with a simple musical experience. She and her husband, Walter Stillman Martin (1862-1935) wrote gospel songs for revival meetings. They were invited to preach at a church, that Sunday morning, Mrs. Martin became suddenly ill, making it impossible for her to accompany her husband to his speaking engagement. Mr. Martin seriously considered cancelling his speaking assignment. Just then, their young son spoke up and said, ‘Father, don’t you think that if God wants you to preach today, He will take care of Mother while you are away?’.’ ‘God will take care of you’ was written on the Sunday afternoon while her husband went to a preaching appointment. When he returned, she gave the words to him. He immediately sat down to his little Bilhorn organ and wrote the music. It was then printed in the songbook “Songs of Redemption and Praise” (1905).