The first hymn in the LDS hymnal is penned by Parley P. Pratt and set to music by George Careless. Often performed by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, I have fond memories of hearing it sung during the opening session of General Conference. We would travel to Logan to watch Conference with my grandmother, and hearing this song brings to mind memories of lying on her carpet, waiting for the talks to begin. The television cameras usually panning Temple Square while this song is sung, so I always associate it with the gorgeous flowers that grow all over the Square.
First printed in the Millennial Star newspaper, the song speaks of the Gospel of Jesus Christ bursting upon the dark world and bringing light to those who wish to see.
The story is told of the writing of the music. Brother Careless was sailing from England to New York with a group of Saints. As often was the case with immigrating Mormons, they sang songs as they crossed the ocean to keep their spirits high. The captain of the ship was so captivated by the music, he asked Brother Careless for a copy. Having packed all his music, Brother Careless couldn’t give him a copy, but he sat down on the spot and wrote something new, setting it to the words written by Parley P. Pratt. An instant classic in the world of the LDS hymn, it is one of the most recognized and beloved of all the hymns we sing today.
Many of the hymns in the book contain four verses, and if there are additional verses, they are given below the music staff. This is not the case with “The Morning Breaks, the Shadows Flee”—all five verses are written within the staff. According to “Our Latter-day Hymns” by Karen Lynn Davidson, the hymnbook committee felt that every verse was important and none should be placed beneath the staff.
My favorite verse is the fourth:
Jehovah speaks! Let earth give ear,
And Gentile nations turn and live.
His mighty arm is making bare,
His mighty arm is making bare
His cov’nant people to receive.
This speaks of modern revelation, our need to listen, His mighty power, and the way in which He seeks to gather us all in. Truly a beautiful, soul-stirring piece of music.
Related Blogs:
Introduction to the Latter-day Hymns Series
Children’s Voices –Oh, How Sweet