Morning Has Broken
Eli Lyrics


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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 every morning
God's recreation of the new day

Overall Meaning

The song "Morning Has Broken" is a hymn that was first recorded by Scottish singer-songwriter Cat Stevens, now known as Yusuf Islam, in 1971. The lyrics of the song talk about the dawning of a new day and the beauty and wonder of nature. The first verse talks about the breaking of dawn- "Morning has broken, like the first morning." The second line states, "Blackbird has spoken, like the first bird," which could be taken as a metaphor for the start of a new day when birds start to sing.


The chorus is essentially about expressing gratitude for the beauty of the morning- "Praise for the singing, praise for the morning, praise for them springing fresh from the world." The second verse gives a description of the beauty of a new morning, "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." This verse is also a metaphor for the start of a new day, with the rain representing the challenges life presents, and the sweetness of the wet garden symbolizes the beauty that comes despite those challenges. The third verse reflects on the fact that every new day is a new creation of God's, "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."


Line by Line Meaning

Morning has broken, like the first morning
The start of a new day is akin to the very first day of creation.


Blackbird has spoken, like the first bird
The sound of the first bird signifies the beginning of a new day.


Praise for the singing, praise for the morning
There is joy and appreciation for the beauty of the morning.


Praise for them springing fresh from the world
There is gratitude for the new life that emerges with each new day.


Sweet the rain's new fall, sunlit from heaven
The gentle rain is a refreshing and welcome gift from above.


Like the first dewfall, on the first grass
The morning dew is a reminder of the pure and untouched state of the world.


Praise for the sweetness of the wet garden
The beauty of nature is celebrated, particularly after a fresh rainfall.


Sprung in completeness where his feet pass
God's presence is felt in the full and abundant growth of all living things.


Mine is the sunlight, mine is the morning
The singer acknowledges their place in and connection to the natural world.


Born of the one light, Eden saw play
The reference to Eden suggests that all life is connected and comes from a single source.


Praise with elation, praise every morning
There is a call to celebrate and appreciate the start of each new day with joy and enthusiasm.


God's recreation of the new day
The new day is seen as a form of divine creation that should be marvelled at and appreciated.




Writer(s): Eleanor Farjeon, Chris Hazell

Contributed by Josiah V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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