Morning Has Broken in Farah

In Honor of Yusuf Islam aka Cat Stevens, here are the lyrics of the song that has been going through my head since 5:45 this morning, when we experienced sunrise over Afghanistan from the Citadel at Farah. 

Morning has broken, like the first morning

Blackbird has spoken, like the first bird

Praise for the singing, praise for the morning

Praise for the 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

Hey, did you guys know this? 

According to Wikipedia "The tune to which it is normally sung is called 'Bunessan,' based upon a Gaelic melody. It was used as a Christmas carol with lyrics which began 'Child in the manger, Infant of Mary.' The English-language Roman Catholic hymnal also uses the tune for the hymn 'This Day God Gives Me.'"

There is more: Cat Steven aka Yusuf Islam has frequently been erroneously credited with writing "Morning Has Broken." Actually, the lyrics are by Eleanor Farjeon.

And Finally:
Eleanor Farjeon (pronounced far'-zhun) (13 February 1881 – 5 June 1965) was an English author of children's stories and plays, poetry, biography, history and satire. Many of her works had charming illustrations by Edward Ardizzone. Some of her correspondence has also been published. She won many literary awards and the prestigious Eleanor Farjeon Award for children's literature is presented annually in her memory by the Children's Book Circle, a society of publishers.