This morning, a stunning photo of a dandelion at daybreak crossed my path, instantly evoking a childhood connection to the song “Morning Has Broken”. Like many, my first encounter was likely with the resonant version by Cat Stevens, the British folk icon now known as Yusuf Islam, a figure celebrated not only for his music but also his dedication to education and philanthropy. It’s a common occurrence for popular songs to become synonymous with the artists who bring them into the limelight.
However, the story behind “Morning Has Broken” is richer and deeper than just Cat Stevens’s rendition. The evocative lyrics we sing along to were crafted by the English writer Eleanor Farjeon, a celebrated author of children’s stories and fantasy works, beloved by both young and adult readers. In 1931, Farjeon received a unique commission from a vicar compiling a revised edition of the hymnbook Songs of Praise. He requested a poem set to the melody of a traditional Gaelic tune, “Bunessan,” originating from the Scottish Highlands. This very melody is also shared with the 19th-century Christmas carol “Child in the Manger.” The vicar’s vision was for a hymn about creation, one that resonated with spirituality, yet transcended specific Christian doctrines.
The Original Poem: “Morning Has Broken” Lyrics
Morning has broken,
Like the first morning,
Blackbird has spoken
Like the first bird;
Praise for the singing,
Praise for the morning,
Praise for them springing
Fresh from the Word.
Sweet the rain’s new fall,
Sunlit from heaven,
Like the first dewfall
On the first grass;
Praise for the sweetness,
Of the wet garden,
Sprung in completeness
Where His feet pass.
Mine is the sunlight,
Mine is the morning,
Born of the one light
Eden saw play;
Praise with elation,
Praise every morning,
God’s re-creation
Of the new day.
The original lyrics of “Morning Has Broken” paint vivid pictures of nature’s beauty – rain, dew, sunlight, blackbirds, grass, and a “wet garden.” While the theme of creation is present, the poem subtly emphasizes the Garden of Eden, a place of pristine beauty and spiritual significance. This focus, perhaps, is why “Morning Has Broken Song” resonates across cultures. It carries a universal message of gratitude, celebrating the simple yet profound wonders and beauty that surround us, encouraging us to find the spiritual in the everyday.
Cat Stevens’s recording of this timeless hymn, featured on his 1971 album Teaser and the Firecat, catapulted the “Morning Has Broken song” to mainstream popularity. It reached number six on the US pop chart and topped the US easy listening chart in 1972. Stevens, known for his spiritual depth even before embracing Islam, imbued the song with an emotional resonance that deeply connected with listeners. This spiritual undercurrent in his interpretation is likely why the “Morning Has Broken song” became so strongly identified with him.
Cat Stevens’s Rendition of “Morning Has Broken” Lyrics
Morning has broken, like the first morning
Blackbird has spoken, like the first bird
Praise for the singing, praise for the morning
Praise for them springing fresh from the Word.
Sweet the rain’s new fall, sunlit from heaven
Like the first dewfall, on the first grass
Praise for the sweetness of the wet garden
Sprung in completeness where His feet pass.
Mine is the sunlight, mine is the morning
Born of the one light, Eden saw play
Praise with elation, praise every morning
God’s recreation of the new day
Raised in a Methodist tradition and later attending a Quaker nursery, my personal history with “Morning Has Broken song” is intertwined with both the traditional hymn and Cat Stevens’s popular version. I recall lying in bed in London mornings, the melody and lyrics echoing in my mind, fostering a childhood dream of writing songs capable of touching hearts as profoundly as “Morning Has Broken” always touched mine.
Macro shot of glistening dew drops on grass blades, reflecting the soft morning light, evoking the freshness and gentle beauty described in the “Morning Has Broken song” lyrics.
Close-up image capturing the intricate details of morning dew clinging to plant leaves, symbolizing the “sweetness of the wet garden” and the delicate imagery of “Morning Has Broken song”.
Detailed photograph of dew drops on a spiderweb, sparkling like jewels in the morning sun, representing the “first morning” and the purity associated with the “Morning Has Broken song”.
Macro photograph showcasing the spherical form of dew drops on plant foliage, highlighting the morning’s gentle and life-giving moisture, a visual representation of the themes in “Morning Has Broken song”.
© Sharon Johnstone, Macro Dew Drops
A Playlist Inspired by “Morning Has Broken” and its Themes
(Playlist content would be added here if requested, but not specified in the prompt).
