Rick Wakeman - Morning Has Broken 

All is right with the world when Rick Wakeman is playing the piano.

A brilliant musician, a stunning pianist, an excellent composer and also a very modest man when he talks of his amazing musical talents.

This man is an absolute genius, and all the rest of us are in awe of his beautiful talent! Thank you, Mister Wakeman, for enriching our lives! You make this world a better place, sir.

So lovely! I sent someone a card with the words of the 1st verse on it and they asked about the song. I knew it was a Christian hymn and this led to research. The words are from Eleanor Fargjeon in the 1930s and the tune a Gaelic one called Bunessan. The hymn was only 45 seconds long, and Stevens needed it to be longer. He heard Rick Wakeman in a nearby recording booth, playing what became Catherine Howard for Six Wives of Henry VIII. Stevens asked to use parts of that, but Wakeman's album was not all the way written. Wakeman did develop the hymn to be longer though. So we got Cat Stevens' lovely song. But I never heard this gorgeous version of Wakeman's. I'm a big fan of 6 Wives, like many a hippie, baby boomer, I played it at my late husband's celebration of life service. Thanks Rick for a beautiful album and your great talent!

Rick played on the original Cat Stevens record so his interpretation is the DEFINITIVE one!

Cat Stevens may have recorded this song but it is Rick's piano work that makes it a Masterpiece

Gave me goosebumps when I first heard it back in the early 70's as a young kid....still gives me goosebumps at age 56.

Today is his birthday. So glad that he's still with us, and that he still plays like he's 25 years old. ❤️

I had the pleasure of meeting Rick back in 1975/76. Super nice gentleman.

This is the most beautiful interpretation of this song I have heard. Thank-you. I would love to have the sheet music to this arrangement.

Wonderful composition and performance. Rick Wakeman is a genius with no equal!

There's only one Rick Wakeman. Tremendous keyboardist, and a very funny man.

Superb. He never got the recognition he deserved for his part in this Cat Stevens hit.

So beautiful! I could listen to you all day!!

Beautiful! It is an actual hymn, folks.

If Rick Wakeman is playing , I am listening.

I was 7yrs old when i first heard Morning Has broken back in 72. My uncle had bought the 45" vinyl record and I played it until i wore it out. I always thought Cat Stevens had played the piano, but learned it was Rick. I'm glad to hear he finally got paid for his session.

My childhoood without Rick Wakeman & Yes would be unthinkable.

Rick, huge respect. Whenever I hear you play it reminds me of how good a player I will never be. Hope to meet you one day.

I never get tired of seeing and hearing Maestro Rick tickling the ivories. Rick was a major innovator with modern technology in the 1970s along with Keith Emerson...I've loved them both immensely, but between the two Rick has been my favorite. I'm sure that Mr. Moog had an incredible appreciation for the 2 of them as well because they basically, in my humble opinion, put Moog on the musical map. Thank you Maestro Rick for blessing us with such incredible sonic sensations.

I like how Rick takes us to beautiful and unexpected places, musically.

Beautiful song, an amazing interpretation, and arrangement.

Best piano rendition I have heard of this very special song.

One of the best songs ever recorded. Thanks for completing this masterpiece with your contributions.

I recently found out that this version of the old hymn was originally written by Wakeman so I looked up this version and it is gorgeous!

Cat Stevens song works because of him,the original song is amazing to hear,GOD is GOOD🙏❤️

A beautiful rendition of a beautiful hymn.

I am so lucky to have lived at the same time as the incomparable Rick Wakeman!

Rick Wakeman is a national treasure.

So freakin beautiful. Thank you.

Thank you so much. Rick wakeman!!! Creative inspiration supports amazing talent. Its perfect,beautiful melody piano music. 😍😘🙆‍♀️👏

I listen every day. And l love that beautiful wonderful amazing piano music. Thank you so much Rick wakeman. 🌻🌼🏵

Exceptional, such beautiful music. Plays it wonderful. A bow for the master🙏🏻

This is one of my favorite childhood songs....and you Rick has made it all the more worth living and listening. Thanks!!

Absolutely beautiful! Rick Wakeman is the soul of this piece!❤️

It’s as if he’s dreaming of the perfect string accompaniment to some heavenly lyrics... it’s enchanting how his eyes remain closed... even during the most intense measures

J'ai eu la chance de voir Rick à Oxford jouer ce morceau ! Quel talent ! Simply the Best !

Gracias a Dios se me ocurrió poner en el buscador a Rick Wakeman después de tantos años. He encontrado a uno de los maestros del piano más importantes en mi vida. Gracias Mr. Rick

I listen to this on my way to work. Hives me the shivers. Great piece.

Going to see him on November 1st. Really excited. Last time I saw him was October 1978 at Wembley arena with yes.

I love this magic Sing! 🥰🎹🎶 And love this wonderful dear amazing keyboard player!! 🎉😍🤩 Thank you for this video! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

WOW, that was awesome, the history of the song is amazing, what a blessing to be able to play it so well.

Looks like the morning mist penetrated the studio -- or is it the piano's humidifier working overtime?

"Morning Has Broken" is a Christian hymn first published in 1931. It has words by English author Eleanor Farjeon and was inspired by the village of Alfriston in East Sussex, then set to a traditional Scottish Gaelic tune, "Bunessan". It is often sung in children's services and in funeral services. According to Wikipedia. We chose this hymn on this Tuesday for my brother-in-law's furnal service, following Psalm 23. And we are in Wales.

Still stunningly beautiful!

The 70s produced some great keyboard players, but Rick is head and shoulders above the rest…even Keith Emerson

Thank you, mr. smith. Soon, I'll be Playing that Great Big Kathedral in the Skye ... without you, but rather with an Idea I Kall "Brad". The Most Exquisite Idea I have ever had. 🔥🔥🔥🔥🖕🏽

Gracias Rick, desde Argentina, . tu album The Six Wives Of Henry VIII desperto en mi adolescencia, la pasion por la musica!!!!!!

I have chills, but like this performance...no words. ;)

Remember this when i was a kid played in a radio station every morning .....love this song.....

Love you, Rick Wakeman!

It's a masterpiece ! Amazing melody !

i Bought his records back in early 70's he is a Genius at the Piano and Keyboards.

The Master Rick!

51 people aren't morning people. Seriously, who in their right mind would down vote this video? Shameful.

One of the best piano player keyboard players of the last century absolute perfection

Doesn't get any better than this!

Totally envious that my brother has met Rick.

There are piano players and they are musicians this guy is a musician who happens to play the piano amazingly well

Such an instantly recognizable playing style. Lovely tune played by one of the greats...

⭐Just ⭐Magnificense ⭐Splendor ⭐Granduer⭐ Morning☀ ! 🌠Rick !🙏Blessings 🙏

Love this i remember when I was in year seven me and my friends sang this in front of the whole school. Haha

This tune is better without the singing.

Big ass fan here plus also love Cat Stevens 61 years old and found out today he played on the original morning has broken unbelievable

I really enjoyed listening to you on Radio 4 last night as I was working. Lovely piano piece you played too. Thank you

Cant improve on that playing what a beautiful song.

He makes it look effortless. It clearly isn't. A true master.

His piano playing in morning has broken is phenomenal! I love listening him play this song! I am a new follower of him from this day forward! ❤

FYI, one entry in the RU-vid-produced thumbnail listing reads "Amazing Grace" not "Morning..."

Marvellous piano player....a Master !

As always, Rick's lightness of touch on the keyboard and great ear for melody eases away the stresses of everyday life... Thanks maestro 😌

Thanks Rick, I love singing to this beautiful arrangement and playing of yours, I'm no big Christian but that doesn't matter, I would recommend anyone, especially if you're feeling down (but not necessarily) to sing the hymn along with this, and see what happens (maybe nothing, but who knows?)

The part I always loved about this song was the keyboard melody...only many years later did I find out that it was Rick playing it!!

The poem by Eleanor Farjeon has more verses than the Cat Stevens rendition : 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. Sweet the rain's new fall, sunlit from heaven, Like the first dew fall 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 re-creation of the new day. Cool the gray clouds roll, peaking the mountains, Gull in her free flight, swooping the skies. Praise for the mystery, misting the morning, Behind the shadow, waiting to shine. I am the sunrise, warming the heavens, Spilling my warm glow over the earth. Praise for the brightness of this new morning, Filling my spirit with Your great love. Mine is a turning, mine is a new life, Mine is a journey closer to You. Praise for the sweet glimpse, caught in a moment, Joy breathing deeply, dancing in flight.

espetacular!! não poderia ser diferente !! 🤩😍

Praise God Almighty AMEN Hallelujah YES LORD Thank YOU LORD For YOU

I saw his band Yes at Georgia Tech in the mid seventies they were fantastic. They opened the show with my favorite song 🎵. ROUNDABOUT from the album fragile

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, RICK!

Without words this is an arrangement of Bunessan, not Morning Has Broken.

I wish I could play HALF as good as Rik. Its a transformation seeing him on stage behind stacks of keyboards in his robes - the sitting down at a concert grand then we realise what a true vertuoso he is of all things with keyboards. Thanks for the music and the laughs - I'll never forget the story you told once about 'sending a sausage to the seaside' I cannot for the life of me remember what contect it was in now but it was hilarious!

Rick .....No te mueras nunca!!!!!!!!!!

Is the sheet music for this available to purchase?

Pianoの楽譜が欲しいです♬🎹

One of the best keyboard players ever to grace this planet. Super funny guy as well!

QUEL MERVEILLEUX PIANISTE Rick Wakeman s'est fait connaître au sein des groupes rock progressif Strawbs et Yes avec son jeu de scène flamboyant (sa fameuse cape) et poursuit depuis le début des années 1970 une carrière solo prolifique comptant plus d'une centaine d'albums je l'écoutais quand j'avais 18 ans ; quel plaisir de le réécouter!Merci!

Mr. Wakeman I have been following your work for many years. I've watched you with YES, and also your solo career. No Earthly Connection was my first LP of yours. I still have that gem and it's still perfect. When you and Jon Anderson make music, it is always very pleasing to my ears. Mr. Anderson is my favorite singer and you are indeed my favorite piano/keyboard player. May you always make music and never tire of doing so.

Compliments from the Kingdom of the Netherlands! 🇳🇱

Having listened to this for years I eventually realised that the quality and depth of the piano playing is the major part of this lovely song, without that this is merely a pretty hymn - but the playing just raises it to another level. I now know why - in those days Rick Wakeman would have received the going rate for a session musician - and played it in between doing a load of other hack work. Rick (and Jimmy Page too) in the end deservedly got the fruits of their skills in massive groups - these guys deserve so much for the quality they add to so many classic songs. The producer also needs a big hand as well as the dynamics and phrasing are quite superb - here Rick has added quite a lot (as it is purely the piano) - I must say I prefer the original with Cat Steven's beautiful voice and restrained backings - this is just wonderful music!

Many people don't seem to realise that this song\hymn started life as a poem, written by Eleanor Farjeon in 1931, then set to music using the old Scottish melody, Bunessan. This performance by Rick Wakeman, still wonderfully fresh, does take me right back to the Cat Stevens hit - didn't know Rick played piano on that recording. Wonderful.

A wizard on the keys ..put all the very best keyboard players who have ever lived into one person ....Rick Wakeman appears ...🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🎹🎹🎹🎵🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

Genius...best describes Rick Wakeman

So absolutely wonderfully ear-pleasing!

So beautiful like if it is to you and anyone 2019 or 2020?

Good! May Peace (Shalom) be with us, and Honor to GOD 願平安歸於人，願榮耀歸於上主

Wow - all I can say is amazing. as you get older your joints generally don't work as well as they do when you are young and this was a flawless performance. I loved this version back when it was first released many many years ago.

After listening to you play this again I've got to ask you a serious question. Lol, saying this to a guy who thinks Jon lives in the world's Roger paints! In your opinion (given your a old wanker like myself) what tunes do you think will survive to be played some 200 years from today? Say from the time period of the 40's to Y2K as our generations Era, roughly, lol

Distinctive sound and style, no doubt it is the same pianists of the original. Love it!! It is like watching Itzhak Pearlman play violin, seems so easy and effortless. But simply flawless.

Schöner... wundervoller geht nicht mehr.....

Sublime interpretation of Cat Stevens Record. Love It

It just doesn't get any more beautiful than that. It's such a gorgeous piece it makes my heart swell to hear it. The ornamentation brings to mind a vision of light playing on the surface of a wind-caressed lake, both gorgeous and serene...