Eleanor Farjeon – Morning Has Broken

English author Eleanor Farjeon wrote plays, children’s stories, and satire, among other published works.  She received the Carnergie Medal (1955) and the Hans Christian Andersen Medal (1956) for her famed children’s book, The Little Bookroom. She later received the Regina Medal (1959) for her “continued, distinguished contribution to children’s literature”, according to the Catholic Library Association.

Her most famous work, the hymn Morning Has Broken, written in 1931 (and, as of this writing, still under copywright) was made famous and popularized by Cat Stevens in his 1971 cover.

Lyrics can be found at https://hymnary.org/text/morning_has_broken.

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1. What message does the song communicate?

The entire song can be summarized in Psalm 118:24: “This is the day which the LORD has made; Let’s rejoice and be glad in it.”  It sources the Word (or Jesus) as the author of each new day, gives praise for the rain, and compares both the day and the rain to Eden.

Score: 10/10

2. How much of the lyrics line up with Scripture?

All lyrics line up with Scripture.

[Verse 1]

Line 1: That is, a new day has begun.

Line 2: From the perspective of Farjeon, each new day is like the first day in which light has entered into the world (Genesis 1:3-5).

Lines 3 and 4: Birds are a symbol of hope and peace.  The blackbird in this hymn represents a fresh beginning.  Genesis 1 is literally a fresh beginning.  The new day is a new beginning of sorts.  Much like Christians becoming a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17) so too a new day brings a fresh start to how we conduct our lives and interact with the world.

Lines 5-8: Farjeon rejoices and is glad in the day that the Lord made (Psalm 118:24).  The Word, according to John 1:1 and John 1:14, is Jesus (also, see John 1:2-3 and Colossians 1:15-16).

[Verse 2]

Lines 1-6: Farjeon compares a fresh, new rainfall to the first misting of the earth (Genesis 2:6).  Rain and mist are vital for the earth’s survival, as plants, animals, and people all require water to survive.  For these things, she praises God.

Line 7: God rested on the seventh day because His work in creation was completed (Genesis 2:2).

Line 8: The only reference I recall is Genesis 3:8, though this is after the fall of mankind.  Did God walk in the garden before the fall?  Perhaps.  Nonetheless, His Presence was there throughout the entire process of creation.  So, I’ll give this one a pass.

[Verse 3]

Lines 1-3: See Verse 1, lines 5-8.

Line 4: Have you ever heard the phrase “light played across the wall”?  I had not before!  It means that the light creates visible surfaces.  In this example, the light is making the wall known to us by revealing it.  In this case, Eden “saw” the sunrise, that is, the sun illuminated Eden.

Lines 5-8: See Verse 1, lines 5-8.

Score: 10/10

3. How would an outsider interpret the song?

Unbelievers will likely understand the general gist of this song but struggle with some of its finer details.    Farjeon does an excellent job summarizing the entire song by ending with clear language that she is praising God, whom she explicitly states, for creating each new day.  The word “Eden” ties God to an Abrahamic faith, and the usage of the word “Word” is familiar to unbelievers with a rudimentary understanding of Jesus, that He is the Word made flesh.

Finer details that are likely to sail over their heads include the symbolism of the blackbird and the meaning of “Eden saw play”.

Score: 8/10

4. What does this song glorify?

It glorifies Jesus as the One who made the light that shines on the earth, and the rain that cools and brings life to creation. Farjeon praises Him for these things.

Score: 10/10

Closing Comments

Eleanor Farjeon’s Morning Has Broken stands the test of time for good reason.  It reminds us to be thankful for each new day that Christ brings us, which includes the sunrise and, occasionally, rainfall that sustains life.  These bring Him glory.  Unbelievers, though may not understand the meaning of “Eden saw play” or that blackbird symbolizes new beginnings, should be able to piece together this song’s overall theme of praise without them.

I highly recommend this song for corporate worship.  Seeker-sensitive churches may want to explain the meaning of the blackbird and “Eden saw play” before worshipping with this one.

Final Score: 9.5/10

Artist Info

Track: Morning Has Broken (listen to Cat Stevens’ version of this song)

Artist: Eleanor Farjeon

Album: N/A

Genre: Hymn

Release Year: 1931

Duration: N/A

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