Joshua Bennett
Morning Has Broken is a popular Christian hymn with words by English author Eleanor Farjeon, set to a traditional Scottish Gaelic tune called Bunessan. First published in 1931, the hymn has since been translated and sung in various languages and contexts, including schools, churches, and funeral services. Given its religious themes and ubiquity in Christian hymnals, the song is often considered a Catholic hymn. However, its exact denomination is a matter of interpretation and context.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Genre | Christian hymn |
| Tune | Bunessan, a traditional Scottish Gaelic tune |
| Tune composer | Unknown; collected in Lachlan MacBean's Songs and Hymns of the Gael (1888 or 1900) |
| Tune inspiration | Named after Mary Macdonald's birthplace on the Isle of Mull, Scotland |
| Lyricist | Eleanor Farjeon |
| Lyric inspiration | The village of Alfriston in East Sussex |
| First published | 1931 |
| Notable recordings | Cat Stevens (1971); Rick Wakeman (2000) |
| Notable appearances | Songs of Praise (1931); Presbyterian Hymnbook (1955) |
| Translations | German, French, Dutch |
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What You'll Learn
Morning Has Broken is a Christian hymn
"Morning Has Broken" is a Christian hymn that was first published in 1931. The lyrics were written by English author Eleanor Farjeon, inspired by the village of Alfriston in East Sussex. The hymn is set to a traditional Scottish Gaelic tune called "Bunessan", which was likely composed in the 1800s and collected in the early 20th century.
The song has become well-known and popular, often being sung in children's services, school assemblies, and funeral services due to its uplifting message and praise for the natural world. The lyrics of the hymn begin with the line "Morning has broken like the first morning/Blackbird has spoken like the first bird". It goes on to praise God for the beauty and freshness of a new day, with references to sunlight, rain, and the garden of Eden.
The tune "Bunessan" has also been used for other hymns and songs, including the Christmas carol "Child in the Manger, Infant of Mary" with lyrics by Scottish poet Mary MacDonald. The English-language Roman Catholic hymnal uses the same tune for the hymns "Christ Be Beside Me" and ""This Day God Gives Me", adapted from the traditional Irish hymn "St. Patrick's Breastplate". "Bunessan" has also been paired with different lyrics for nativity texts and included in hymnal of various Protestant churches.
The popularity of "Morning Has Broken" was greatly increased by Cat Stevens' recording of the song on his 1971 album "Teaser and the Firecat", which reached number six on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and number one on the U.S. easy listening chart in 1972. The song has also been translated into several languages, including German, French, and Dutch, and has been included in most hymnals since gaining popular recognition.
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The lyrics were written by English author Eleanor Farjeon
"Morning Has Broken" is a Christian hymn first published in 1931. The lyrics were written by English author Eleanor Farjeon, who was born in London in 1881 and passed away in 1965. Farjeon was a poet and children's author known for her magical yet unsentimental tales that often mocked the behaviour of adults.
The hymn's lyrics were inspired by the village of Alfriston in East Sussex and were set to a traditional Scottish Gaelic tune called "Bunessan". The tune was composed in the Scottish Islands and first published in Lachlan MacBean's Songs and Hymns of the Gael in 1888 or 1900. Before Farjeon's lyrics, the tune was used for the Christmas carol "Child in the Manger, Infant of Mary", with Scottish Gaelic lyrics written by Mary MacDonald.
In Songs of Praise Discussed, editor Percy Dearmer explains that there was a need for a hymn to give thanks for each day. Farjeon was asked to create a poem to fit the Scottish tune, and she later included a variation of the hymn in her collection of poems for children, titled "The Children's Bells", published by Oxford University Press in 1957.
The song became widely popular due to a recording by English pop musician and folk singer Cat Stevens, who included it on his album Teaser and the Firecat in 1971. Stevens' version reached number six on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and number one on the U.S. easy listening chart in 1972. The song's success led to it becoming closely associated with Stevens.
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The tune is a traditional Scottish Gaelic melody called Bunessan
"Morning Has Broken" is a popular Christian hymn that was first published in 1931. The words were written by English author Eleanor Farjeon, inspired by the village of Alfriston in East Sussex. The hymn is set to a traditional Scottish Gaelic melody called "Bunessan", which was composed in the Scottish Islands.
The tune "Bunessan" has a rich history of its own. It was first published as a melody in Lachlan (or L. McBean's) "Songs and Hymns of the Gael" in 1888 or 1900. Before Farjeon's words were set to the tune, "Bunessan" was used as a Christmas carol with the lyrics "Child in the manger, Infant of Mary," translated from the Scottish Gaelic lyrics written by Mary MacDonald. MacDonald was a Scottish poet who lived on the Isle of Mull, and the tune is named after her birthplace, the village of Bunessan.
"Bunessan" has been used in various hymnals and with different lyrics over the years. It can be found in the Revised Church Hymnary (1927) and the Appendix (1936) to the Irish Church Hymnal (1919), paired with MacDonald's nativity text. The English-language Roman Catholic hymnal uses the tune for the James Quinn hymns "Christ Be Beside Me" and "This Day God Gives Me," adapted from the traditional Irish hymn "St. Patrick's Breastplate." Michael Saward's hymn "Baptized in Water" also uses the "Bunessan" tune.
The popularity of "Morning Has Broken" is partly due to the recording by English pop musician and folk singer Cat Stevens, which appeared on his 1971 album "Teaser and the Firecat." The song reached number six on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and number one on the U.S. easy listening chart in 1972. The success of Stevens' rendition led to the song becoming closely associated with him.
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It was first published in 1931
"Morning Has Broken" is a popular Christian hymn that was first published in 1931. The words were written by English author Eleanor Farjeon, inspired by the village of Alfriston in East Sussex. The hymn is set to a traditional Scottish Gaelic tune called "Bunessan", composed in the Scottish Islands.
The tune "Bunessan" has a rich history, dating back to its first publication in Lachlan Macbean's Songs and Hymns of the Gael in 1888. It was originally a setting for Mary Macdonald's carol "Child in the Manger." The carol began with the lyrics, "Child in the manger, Infant of Mary," which were translated from Scottish Gaelic. The tune is named after Macdonald's birthplace on the Isle of Mull, Scotland.
Eleanor Farjeon's words for "Morning Has Broken" were a response to a request by the editor of Songs of Praise, Percy Dearmer. Dearmer felt there was a need for a hymn that gave thanks for each day. Farjeon's poem captures the beauty of a new day and expresses gratitude for God's creation. The hymn first appeared in the second edition of Songs of Praise in 1931, and it has since been published in numerous hymnals and songbooks.
The hymn gained international recognition when it was recorded by English pop musician and folk singer Cat Stevens for his album Teaser and the Firecat in 1971. Stevens' version of the song became hugely popular, reaching number six on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and number one on the U.S. easy listening chart in 1972. The success of Stevens' recording led to "Morning Has Broken" becoming closely associated with him. The song has also been translated into several languages, including French, German, and Dutch, further spreading its popularity and impact.
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The hymn has been translated into several languages
"Morning Has Broken" is a Christian hymn that has been translated into several languages. The original hymn, written by English author Eleanor Farjeon, was published in 1931 and set to a traditional Scottish Gaelic tune called "Bunessan." The hymn has since been translated into various languages, including German, French, and Dutch, and has been included in the hymnbooks of different Protestant churches.
The German translation of "Morning Has Broken" is titled "Schön ist der Morgen" and was performed by Nana Mouskouri. Another German version is "Morgenlicht leuchtet," translated by Jürgen Henkys, and it is included in the hymnal of the Protestant Church in Germany (Evangelisches Gesangbuch) and the Protestant Reformed Church of Switzerland (Reformiertes Gesangbuch).
The French translation, "Matin brisé," was performed by Eva on her 1972 album "L'orage." The Dutch version, "Licht Op De Lakes," was rendered by Rowwen Hèze.
The hymn's popularity led to its inclusion in various hymnals and its adaptation to different musical styles. It has been sung in children's services and funeral services, and its message of gratitude for each new day has resonated with people of all ages and cultural backgrounds.
The song's translations into multiple languages have helped spread its message and melody beyond English-speaking countries, contributing to its enduring popularity and cultural significance worldwide.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, 'Morning Has Broken' is a Christian hymn with lyrics written by English author Eleanor Farjeon. It was first published in 1931 and is often sung in children's services and funeral services.
The lyrics of 'Morning Has Broken' were written by English author Eleanor Farjeon and were inspired by the village of Alfriston in East Sussex. The hymn is set to a traditional Scottish Gaelic tune called "Bunessan", composed in the Scottish Isles. The tune was first published in Lachlan Macbean's Songs and Hymns of the Gael in 1888.
The hymn begins with the line, "Morning has broken like the first morning, blackbird has spoken like the first bird". The rest of the hymn continues in this vein, with praise for the morning and nature.
