Cat Stevens is a British singer-songwriter who became a teen idol in the 1960s before becoming one of the most influential figures in folk and pop music. Starting his career performing in London coffee houses, he adopted the stage name Cat Stevens to make his music more accessible.
After overcoming a serious bout of tuberculosis in 1969, Stevens changed his sound into a more reflective folk-rock style, producing timeless classics such as “Wild World,” “Father and Son,” and “Peace Train.”
About the Song
Morning Has Broken is a folk-pop adaptation of a 1931 Christian hymn with lyrics by English author Eleanor Farjeon, set to the traditional Scottish melody Bunessan.
Cat Stevens recorded his version for the album Teaser and the Firecat, and due to its international success, the song quickly became closely associated with him.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Released | October 1, 1971 |
| Album | Teaser And The Firecat (Deluxe) (2021) |
| Writers | Traditional & Eleanor Farjeon |
| Producers | Paul Samwell-Smith |
Morning Has Broken Full Lyrics
Chorus
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
Verse 1
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 (Ah, ah-ah)
Sprung in completeness where His feet pass (Ah-ah-ah)
Verse 2
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
Chorus
Morning has broken like the first morning (Ah-ah-ah, ah-ah-ah)
Blackbird has spoken like the first bird (Ah-ah-ah, ah-ah-ah)
Praise for the singing, praise for the morning (Ah-ah-ah, ah-ah-ah)
Praise for them springing fresh from the world (Ah-ah-ah, ah-ah-ah)
Meaning of The Song
This hymn first appeared in the 1931 edition of Songs of Praise, set to Bunessan, a tune from the Scottish Islands.
Editor Percy Dearmer asked poet Eleanor Farjeon to write words for this Scottish melody because they needed a hymn about daily thankfulness.
However, a small variation of Farjeon’s text exists as a poem called A Morning Song (For the First Day of Spring) in a 1957 Oxford University Press children’s book. The music uses 9/4 time but feels like 3/4.
The “Bunessan” tune came from L. McBean’s 1900 collection of Gaelic songs. Before Farjeon’s words, it was used for a Christmas carol that began “Child in the manger, Infant of Mary,” translated from Scottish Gaelic lyrics by Mary MacDonald.
Catholic hymnals also use this tune for James Quinn’s hymns “Christ Be Beside Me” and “This Day God Gives Me,” both adapted from the Irish “St. Patrick’s Breastplate.” The tune is also used for the hymn “Baptized In Water.”
Similar Songs Like Morning Has Broken
If you love Morning Has Broken, here are more tracks by Cat Stevens that capture a similar peaceful and reflective essence:
- Moonshadow: It’s a gentle, uplifting folk song with optimistic lyrics reflecting joy and acceptance.
- Peace Train: An anthemic and hopeful track calling for peace and unity.
- Father and Son: This is a folk ballad that explores generational conflict and understanding.
- Wild World: A melodic and reflective song about change and protection.
- If You Want to Sing Out, Sing Out: A free-spirited, encouraging tune about living authentically.
Similar Artists Like Cat Stevens
These artists, much like Cat Stevens, are known for their folk-inspired sounds and thoughtful lyrics that touch on personal reflection and life’s deeper themes.
- James Taylor
Genre: Folk, Soft Rock
Notable Albums: Sweet Baby James (1970), Fire and Rain (1970) - Nick Drake
Genre: Folk, Acoustic
Notable Albums: Pink Moon (1972), Five Leaves Left (1969) - John Denver
Genre: Country, Folk
Notable Albums: Rocky Mountain High (1972), Poems, Prayers & Promises (1971) - Harry Chapin
Genre: Folk, Pop
Notable Albums: Taxi (1972), Greatest Stories Live (1974) - Jim Croce
Genre: Folk, Pop
Notable Albums: You Don’t Mess Around with Jim (1972), Life and Times (1973)
Frequently Asked Questions
How did the Song Perform on The Charts?
Cat Stevens’ version reached No. 6 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and No. 9 on the UK Singles Chart in 1972, becoming one of his most successful singles.
Is Morning has Broken a Religious Song?
Yes, it is a Christian hymn, but both religious and secular audiences appreciate Cat Stevens’ version for its universal message of hope and renewal.
Was There any Controversy About the Recording?
Rick Wakeman, who arranged and played the piano, was not originally credited on the album. He was paid only a small fee for his contribution, despite the arrangement’s significance to the song’s success.
