Monday, January 12, 2009

WINTER SUNRISE


This was the first sunrise after the weekend snowstorm. As the sun cleared the edge of the Pelee peninsula it sent its first tentative beams along the icy sierra out on the lake. It lit the new-fallen snow with a delicate pink that almost seemed out of place in the deepest part of the winter season. Even so, it also reminded me of the famous and well-loved Cat Stevens recording of the song, “Morning Has Broken.”

The birdfeeders needed filling. As I walked out, bundled up, with my bag of seed, the whole yard of untouched snow lay before me. In the places where the wind had blown the ground almost bare, it looked like it could have been a valley scene far below me. The tufts of grass and twigs sticking up through the thinner snow could have been trees. Closer to the house, the wind had carved the drifts into miniature sweeping cliffs and glacial overhangs. As I trudged through, the wind gusted and swirled the loose snow around my ankles up to my knees. I felt like an Old World giantess, striding through the clouds.

Morning Has Broken
Cat Stevens is often erroneously credited for writing “Morning Has Broken.” It’s actually an old Gaelic tune called Bunnessan, after a village in Scotland. English poet and children’s author Eleanor Farjeon was commissioned to write a poem to fit the tune, to be a children’s hymn to morning.






Video by YT member maizaccc
As you might expect, YouTube has many videos with beautiful images for this song, but this one I thought was quite special.

25 comments:

Mandy said...

I've posted this cat stevens video (or one very similar) on mine before now.

The sunset over the snow is lovely.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Love the picture of the sun hitting the snow. What a glorious sunrise... AND hearing "Morning has Broken" while watching that sunrise must be the highest high in the world, Deb.
Hugs
Betsy

Avid Reader said...

Beautiful Picture. I am wishing I could spend a winter in Canada, right on the lake.

I put a lot of seed out today as our snow is actually layers of ice and snow. easy to walk on, but crunchy!

Re: Vid:
Wonderful find! Cat did a good job with the song.

Sylvia K said...

Another gorgeous picture, the pink gives an almost fragile look, that seems to defy the cold. What a great post, beautiful words and I love the Morning video. It was really interesting to read the history of the song. Thanks for including it. Stay warm!

Shelley said...

I always loved that song from Cat Stevens - didn't realize he didn't write it! Perfect to go w/ your photo. When I look at the photo again I can imagine looking at snowy mountaintops - beautiful.

Anil P said...

How beautiful it must be to welcome mornings such as the one you described so well.

The beginning of each new day is the beginning of each new hope that such beauty will last for good.

bobbie said...

That first blush of the sun on the snow and in the sky is so lovely.

I love this song.

Great Grandma Lin said...

lovely u tube video. love that song, interesting to find out more about it's origin.

Squirrel said...

That fine pink is always welcome in winter. I loved all the birds in the video. Itls great when people put things like that on youtube.

Anonymous said...

So pretty. Nothing looks nicer than fresh, clean snow. That is one of my all time favorite songs.

me ann my camera said...

The words, music and photos are very uplifting; and I would trade my January cold landscape at the moment for any of those shown.

The soft, gentle pink in your photo also gives promise coming from the east, but I want to say south, knowing that is where the warmth will come from.
I like your descriptions of your landscape at your feeder area. My early morning trips to our bird feeders is often one of exploration. Have the deer been here overnight to make the first break in the snow, or will my footsteps be the first to disturb the cold quiet with a crunchy impact. Will the Chickadees stay while I talk to them? Most cases I have to rush back inside (-21C this morning) and then stand at the window watching and waiting to see who the first visitors will be.

Sian said...

I used to listen to that song when I was a very little girl...and in the way of children, because Cat Stevens was dark haired and bearded, I thought he was Jesus singing to me. I still adore that song - I had it played at my wedding. I am going to listen to it again right now!

:o)

Gemma Wiseman said...

So very beautiful with the soft colours of sunlight gently spreading over the white snow!

kesslerdee said...

I love the pictures of your view of the lake. It is forlorn and lovely at the same time. I never knew that about the song Morning has Broken. I always learn a little something from you! Thanks!

Anonymous said...

I love that first photo. The snow is so pretty when it's untouched. This captures the essence of what we love in winter.

Rose said...

I had another song pop into my head when I seen your photo, but soon as I read it reminded you of Morning Has Broken, now I cannot get it out of my head! It does fit, but gee, I wish I could remember what my original thought was!

hitch writer said...

The pic of the snow basking in the sun is so so divine !!!! It makes me feel to go and stand there !!!!

Kim said...

Great pictures and descriptions. I felt as though I was there right beside you.

magiceye said...

superb capture!!
thank you for putting the 'morning has broken' credits right. i was one of those who used to credit cat stevens for that wonderful poem/song

Quiet Paths said...

Deb, a very beautiful post. Funny you should mention the sunrise hue. The delicate pink appeared on our horizon last evening as we returned from skiing mixed with blue on the mountains.

sgreerpitt said...

You're the first other person I've ever encountered that knows that Eleanor Farjeon wrote "Morning has broken." Long before Cat Stevens recorded that song, I was in love with Farjeon's writing. Her "The Glass Slipper" was my favorite interpretation of Cinderella until the move "Ever After" with Drew Barrymore. But I loved her fanciful fairy stories, and clever retelling of classic tails especially "The Little Book Room."

Unknown said...

I went to a small preparatory school in England, and we used to sing that hymn...fine memories!!!

Indrani said...

Oh! How I love that picture, it makes me stop and gaze!

Anonymous said...

Pretty photo. I didn't know that about "Morning has broken." Thanks.

Anonymous said...

That pic of sunrise on the lake is tops. I missed that shot, guess I was sleepin'