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1     Cat Stevens and the Journey to “Morning Has Broken”

By 1971, Stevens was searching for deeper meaning in hisart, a journey that paralleled his personal quest for spiritual fulfillment.When he discovered “Morning Has Broken,” he was captivated by the hymn’smessage—peace, rebirth, and hope. He recorded it for his album “Teaser and theFirecat,” infusing the song with tender vocals and a luminous piano arrangementperformed by Rick Wakeman (who would later become famous as the keyboardist forthe band Yes). Stevens’ version soared to the top of the charts internationally,transforming an unassuming church hymn into a song beloved by millions.

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2     Interesting Facts About Cat Stevens

·        Cat Stevens changed his name to Yusuf Islamafter converting to Islam in 1977, and he continues to create music under thename Yusuf.

·        His album Tea for the Tillerman (1970) isconsidered a classic of folk-rock, featuring songs that explore themes ofchange, loss, and growth.

·        Stevens survived a life-threatening bout oftuberculosis in his early twenties, which inspired much of his philosophicalsongwriting and spurred his interest in spiritual matters.

·        He is known for his humanitarian work, foundingseveral charities focused on education and disaster relief.

·        After decades away from pop music, he made acelebrated return in the 2000s, reconnecting with fans old and new.

3     The Enduring Legacy and Meaning of "MorningHas Broken"

Eleanor Farjeon passed away in 1965, never knowing that thewords she so lovingly crafted would one day be sung by millions around theglobe. Cat Stevens’ rendition breathed new life into her hymn, lifting it fromchurch halls and schoolrooms to concert stages and radio waves everywhere. Thesong’s simple message—honoring the freshness and promise of eachmorning—resonates across generations.

“Morning Has Broken” remains more than a song; it is agentle prayer, a daily invitation to gratitude. Whether heard in a quietchapel, a bustling city, or alone at sunrise, it endures as proof that beautyborn in simplicity can light the world.

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