The Mormon Tabernacle Choir is made up of some 360 men and women, all of whom are volunteers. There are many husband-wife combinations and many families have participated in the choir for generations. Choir members are currently limited to twenty years of participation, allowing new members to join the choir on a regular basis.
The choir was founded in August 1847, one month after the Mormon Pioneers entered the Salt Lake Valley. The choir is completely self-funded, traveling and producing albums to support their organization. Choir members are not paid for their participation or performances.
Although the choir has traditionally been recognized for its sound quality, the most recent director, Craig Jessop, a student of Robert Shaw, has made changes designed to improve the overall quality of the choir. Jessop's efforts to add vitality to the choir's sound include the formation of The Orchestra at Temple Square, the 2005 addition of The Bells on Temple Square (a hand bell choir), and continual refinement of the choir's tone, enunciation, and repetoire. The minimum age for participation has been reduced from 30 to 25. In addition, new choir members participate in The Temple Square Chorale training choir, a combination music theory/performance school led by associate director and composer/arranger Mack Wilberg.
Morning Has Broken
Mormon Tabernacle Choir Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Blackbird has spoken, like the first bird
Praise for the singing, praise for the morning
Praise for the 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
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
Morning Has Broken is a hymn that speaks of the newness and freshness of the morning. The first verse compares the morning to when the world was first being created, with the blackbird symbolizing the first bird that sang. The verse praises the singing that is heard in the morning, as well as the newness that is brought by the morning. This is tied together with the idea that the morning is like a spring that comes "fresh from the word", speaking of the idea that there is a renewal in the morning that seems to come from God's word.
The second verse speaks of rain that is new and sweet, sunlit from heaven. This rain is then compared to the first dewfall that appears on the first blades of grass. This verse speaks of the sweetness of the wet garden that is born anew with the morning sun, and that this garden comes into being complete where the creator's feet pass. The last verse speaks of the singer's ownership of the sunlight and the morning, with both born from the one light that Eden, the mythical garden of Eden, saw play. The verse is one of elation and praise for the new day that has been recreated by God.
Line by Line Meaning
Morning has broken, like the first morning
The beginning of a new day is here and it feels like the very first day of creation.
Blackbird has spoken, like the first bird
The birds are singing and it's as if their sounds are the first ever sung on Earth.
Praise for the singing, praise for the morning
Let us give thanks and show our appreciation for the beauty of the world and the new day that has begun.
Praise for the springing fresh from the word
Let us also express gratitude for the renewal and rebirth of nature that is happening right before our eyes.
Sweet the rain's new fall, sunlit from heaven
The rain is gentle and refreshing, and the sunlight shining from the sky is a reminder of the divine light that surrounds us.
Like the first dewfall, on the first grass
The dew on the grass is just as fresh and new as it was during the first morning of creation.
Praise for the sweetness of the wet garden
Let us praise the beauty and fertility of the garden that grows because of the rain and sun that blesses it.
Sprung in completeness where his feet pass
The garden is complete and perfect because it is the creation of God, who walks among His creations.
Mine is the sunlight, mine is the morning
We can feel the warmth of the sun and the beginning of the day, and we know that it is a gift from God to be cherished.
Born of the one light, Eden saw play
The first light of creation came from God, and the beauty of the world that we see today is a representation of that light and love.
Praise with elation, praise every morning
We should praise God with joy and thankfulness every day for the beauty and wonder of the world that He has created for us.
God's recreation of the new day
Every new day is a gift from God, and it is a sign of His ongoing creation and love for us.
Contributed by Bentley S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@dougsturgill1356
Enjoyed your arrangement of this song with the choir and orchestra, thank you
@marangtlhakung7110
The church hymns always set me on a peaceful and spiritual mode.. Thanks 🙏
@pamelabennett5672
I love this song!❤
@susanadiasjohnson457
C A T S T E V E N S,
all my life I can hear you singing this inspiring song.❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
@sallydougherty2027
Just love the singing of the choir ❤
@bernardadominguez5364
Gracias maravilloso Coro por sus voces angelicales ❤❤❤❤❤
@tettiiillchayz3502
Beautiful
@francescoabbo2107
God bless the Choir
@BLPSD
When I need my spirit lifted during dark and troubled times...
@karyshort
Love 💕😘 this song! Love 💕😘 the music 🎵🎶 of Cat Stevens!