March 20, 2026 - Good Morning! It’s Friday, March 20. Happy First Day of Spring!
In 1931, British author Eleanor Farjeon wrote a hymn for children. She titled it “A Song for the First Day of Spring”. It was published in a few hymnals but, at her death in 1965, was largely unknown. In 1971, British musician Cat Stevens was making a record album, but needed one more song. Browsing through a bookstore for song ideas, he came upon an old hymn book. Inside he found a simple, lovely hymn about God’s creation that had been written 40 years before.
Stevens’ record producer liked the song but thought it was too short. Rick Wakeman, a session musician and classically trained pianist, was working in the studio that day and agreed to write a new introduction to the old song. Wakeman went on to fame as a member of the rock group “Yes”, and the little hymn, retitled “Morning Has Broken”, went on to become the number one song in America.
I was a 15-year-old aspiring pianist in 1971 when the Cat Steven’s album came out, and I spent an entire week learning the Rick Wakeman solo, note for note. “Morning Has Broken” became one of my favorite hymns, and it still is. The music is probably already playing inside your head. Sing it again on this first day of spring.
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 Word!
Meet you back here on Monday,
David
cindertex50@yahoo.com
