Morning Has Broken is a beautiful piece of music.
Stevens got the lyrics from a hymn book he found at a bookstore while looking for song ideas. It was a children’s hymn by Eleanor Farjeon, who also wrote a lot of children’s poetry.
Cat Stevens: “I accidentally fell upon the song when I was going through a slightly dry period and I needed another song or two for Teaser And The Firecat. I came across this hymn book, found this one song, and thought, This is good. I put the chords to it and then it started becoming associated with me.”
The song peaked at #6 on the Billboard 100, #9 in the UK, #3 in New Zealand and #4 in Canada. It was on the album Teaser and the Firecat which peaked at #2 on the Billboard Album Charts in 1972.
From Songfacts
Children in England would have heard Farjeon’s hymn in primary school. Scottish children sang the old Gaelic hymn, “Child in a manger, Infant of Mary” to this tune. This hymn predated “Morning” and was written in Gaelic by Mary MacDonald before being translated into English. For Scottish children it was a Christmas hymn. >>
Rick Wakeman, who later became a member of Yes, played keyboards on this track. He claims he was never paid for his work.
This was Stevens’ first single that did better in America than in England. “Peace Train” and “Wild World” were not released in the US.
This song is set to a Scottish tune entitled “Bunessan,” a melody that was named for a small island town in Scotland. >>
Neil Diamond recorded this in 1992 for his Christmas album (yes, Diamond is Jewish). His version went to #36 in the UK.
Morning Has Broken
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 world
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 ev’ry morning
God’s recreation of the new day
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 world
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Underrated- I’d take him over about any of the singer-songwriters of the early 70’s- save Joni Mitchell. Morning Has Broken one of his best! Great selection.
The tune is “St. Patrick’s Breastplate.” Cat did a good job of writing lyrics for it.
As far as the lyrics…John I think he only arranged it. Everything I could find about it has stated it was a hymn written by Eleanor Farjeon…
Defintiely one of the better singles from the early-’70s and surprisingly oft-forgotten. Don’t think I’ve heard it on radio this century outside of Casey Kasem repeats, but it was a big hit. Possibly his Islamic conversion has soured radio (and many people) on him
Wish Waksman played on more pop hits – he’s so good on this and on Bowie’s Life on Mars.
You are right…I forgot about him playing on Life On Mars. I read that earlier this year.
I love the keyboard intro to this. It’s unmistakable! I love it when old songs/poetry get life breathed into them, as it makes them immortal. <3
I have to admit something…I didn’t know the history of this song before yesterday. I was at a funeral yesterday and suddenly the church organist played this song…I thought wow…and then I looked it up and it makes sense.
I’m so sorry you needed to go to a funeral. I can’t think of a better song to be played for someone who has passed on. I knew it was not written by Cat and had traditional origins but didn’t know the rest.
I think all he did was arrange it…but his voice was just as important…his voice is an instrument…a one of a kind instrument.
Yes it is. He’s had so many first-class songs and he sings his heart out on every one.
I like the video I posted also…I’ve never seen that one…his voice is great on that also.
Have you heard his Foreigner Suite concept album? I love this one from it:
https://youtu.be/7p1BUmfQTts
That is really cool…I like the soul feel of it. It’s different for him
The whole album is like this and may be my favorite of his albums.
I will checkit out…never heard it before or him in this setting.
Maybe see you later. Heading to cat shelter soon.
We are singing this this semester! Love this arrangement 🙂 My Beginning Chorus is really enjoying some history on Cat, the folksy and spiritual relevance, and absolutely gorgeous melody! We will send you a recording someday 🙂
That would be cool… I would love to hear it!
This is one of the type of refreshing songs they don’t make anymore. Ideal to start your day, just like The Bee Gees’ “In The Morning of My Life”. Great song reminder. Thks.
A perfect song.
The now 75 year-old Cat played this at Glastonbury this Sunday just gone. My wife and I listened in silence as we watched it on TV. As it finished we were both quietly wiping away tears.
In fact Cat’s whole performance was emotional for us. We cried at Father To Son as well.
I can relate to that…especially the father and son. ..and yes Morning Has Broken is also one of the most beautiful songs I ever heard.