This is an English hymn originally - words written in the 1930’s by an English author and set to a traditional Scottish tune, but made famous worldwide by Cat Stevens. Piano was arranged and played by Rick Wakenman (keyboards wizard in Yes). Wonderful song.
The hymn originally appeared in the Songs of Praise (2nd Edition, 1931) and was set to the tune "Bunessan", a Gaelic song from the Scottish Islands. English poet and children's author Eleanor Farjeon was "asked to make a poem to fit the lovely Scottish tune." Forty years later, Cat Stevens' arrangement was on his 1971 "Teaser and the Firecat" album. Simply magic.
Wish y'all had this on UA-cam. Would love to hear. Played at my mom's service too last year. She was sharp as a tack til her last breath at age 88. She also requested Louis Armstrong singing What a Wonderful World. Sorry for your loss but what a beautiful tribute to her.
My late mom loved this song and Cat Stevens. The fact that it's a waltz makes this song even better. She's been gone so long but hearing this beautiful song brings back all the good memories of her.
This actually IS a hymn. He went to Rick Wakeman, keyboard player from Yes, to make this very short hymn into a piece that he could record as a single. When Rick Wakeman asked him what kind of sound he was looking for, he said that the music Rick was playing when he came in was just right. The music Rick was playing was from an album he was working on called "The Six Wives of Henry VIII", the song was Catherine Howard. You should check that out and you'll hear the similarities. I believe Rick not only did the piano arrangement, but also played on the recording.
@@thomasmacdiarmid8251 £10, not $10 - so it would be roughly $25 at the time. But I believe Yusef settled the account fairly recently after Rick pointed out his omission in an interview. Rick's time and contribution were, after all, a bargain! [although this was not a bad session musician's fee for the time - in the sense that session musicians were rarely well paid]. Whether Yusef adjusted it for inflation or not is another matter!! £10 in 1971 would be roughly worth £2000 today, and that is excluding any interest charges for late payment...
I think every girl in the early 70's had a huge crush on Cat Stevens. What a beautiful man! He converted to Islam after almost drowning. He prayed if he was saved he would devote his life. The waves pushed him to shore and he became Yusuf Islam. He gave up music for many years but is back to performing again. He's now 74.
Ich bin erst 1970 geboren aber wenn ich ihn sehe(in Videos) könnte ich mich rückwirkend noch verlieben in diesen hübschen Mann 🫶. Er hat dem Islam aber mittlerweile den Rücken gekehrt 🤗
At least he's stopped supporting the people who were calling for Salman Rushdie's murder after Rushdie wrote a novel that displeased Islamic leaders. I lost all respect for him when he did that, and it totally negated a lifetime of writing songs about peace and emotion.
I went 13 years Catholic school. In grade school we had folk masses every Friday morning with guitars and piano. We sang this many times. Good memories! ❤️. It’s the story of creation.
It IS a church hymn. I was in school in the 1950s and 60s. We sang this as one of the first morning service songs that we sang at morning prayers. (Church of England school) I also had in my wedding, as did my sister.
He has so many beautiful, soul-touching songs. “Oh very Young,” is a touching , bittersweet realization that our children’s world will not last and they are expected to carry on and form their own world. Any parent who has experienced the desire for them to stay young & innocent would find it difficult to not be moved.
Every morning at Primary School in England in the 1970's this was played every morning and became one of my most favourite songs ever. I know every word such a beautiful song..
I can't stress how his 3 albums from the early 70s: Mona Bone Jakon/ Tea For The Tillerman/ & Teaser And The Firecat are just masterpieces. ALL THE SONGS ARE GOOD on all 3 albums, not one filler track
When my wife and I were married we each had our own song that we danced to at our reception. Mine was Morning Has Broken, sung by Cat Stevens. It spoke to me of starting a whole new life, being reborn so to speak. After 41 years of marriage my wife passed on last October. This song brought several tears to my eyes. Her song was When You Wish Upon A Star sung by Jiminy Cricket (Cliff Edwards actually) in the Walt Disney animated movie Pinocchio. Thank You Both for this reaction.
Aloha Bill, my heart is with you and your love. 41 yrs with the love of my life and he left on thanksgiving day in 2021. Hope you are doing ok. Grieving has been horribly hard for me. I hope you have good family support. I feel terribly sad and alone. Broken. Grief is weird.
Viktor Frankl, the psychologist and Holocaust survivor who wrote “Man’s Search for Meaning,” once counseled a widower who was overcome by grief at the loss of his wife. Frankl asked him how she would have reacted if he had been the one who had died. The man said she would have felt the same way. Frankl asked if the man would have wanted her to go through that. The man said no, of course not. Then, Frankl noted, bearing the burden of the grief of her absence was an act of love, his final gift to her. The man found meaning and thus a measure of peace in that. As the line goes, “What is grief but love enduring?” I wish you well.
@@Wendy-ov5hu Grief is part of life. I lost my only brother when we were both teens and then I lost my first son. Life can crush you if you let it but it insists that you maintain a positive attitude. The alternative is hopelessness and that is never a good choice. Walk outside and lift your arms and breath in the air. We are blessed with life and life demands that we bless it.
He is a very spiritual person. This brings tears to these old eyes as his voice was such a bit of the soundtrack of my college years. Such a unique and soothing voice. I hope you do "Wild World" which is perhaps my favorite of his.
It’s more about EVERY new day starting with the awe of the first morning in the garden of Eden. I agree with you Amber, every morning is a new blessing to behold and be grateful for.
@@barbaramarkland7441 Cat's in the Cradle is a great song, but it's not by Cat Stevens. Harry Chapin wrote and recorded it, basing it on a poem written by his wife, Sandy Chapin. I did find a video which was posted crediting Cat Stevens as the artist, but it wasn't - it's Harry Chapin's recording with a picture of Cat Stevens.
Since god, little g, And the "SUN" of god, little g Are Only Real Inside The Thoroughly Programmed From Early Childhood By Faux religions $heep-le's Orbs, So-Called god, little g, And the "SUN" of god, little g, And allah, little a, And $atan, little s, aka the devil, little d, And the lord, little l Do Not Unfortunately Exist . . . Ouch . . .
Yes, as he sings: Praise for them springing fresh from the "word." Not fresh from the "world" as many will think and hear, and as many lyrics online will write. To know this just listen to him carefully when he sings it. You can also look at his original LP album that the song is on. On that album all of the lyrics are written out, and there you will see it, the "word." The word being the Bible, the word of God. He didn't change any of the words in the original poem, he only added verses.
Hi ! Oh, thank you both for playing this lovely song ! We used to sing this in school in England ..... it's an old English hymn .... when I listen to this I remember to look at all the birds in our garden, busy raising their newborns right now! Puts things into perspective ❤
@drewmax - Yes he did, but he said in an interview that he improvised changes to it to make this song unique. Wakeman is one of the best keyboard players ever to walk this planet. I recall that he became friends two others - Jon Lord (Deep Purple) and Keith Emerson. Those three are why I wanted to play keyboards.
This song was sung at our wedding. Still married at 36 years. This and Annie’s Song by John Denver were very popular wedding songs in the late 70s and 80s.
@@gjcloninger3414 - He didn't write the lyrics, they're a poem by the English poet Eleanor Farjeon. And he became a Muslim many years after this came out.
The hymn came first, in 1931. Stevens changed the lyrics a little, but it is basically the same. We had a friend sing this at my mother's funeral last month.
One of my all time favorite songs ever written. His piano player is the incomparable and talented Rick Wakeman who, interestingly, played synthesizers on some of Ozzy Osbourne’s biggest hits.
@@TR-jc8pc ~ Rick took the song ''Catherine Howard' off of the _Six Wives....''_ album and used it for the song. lts mindblowing because he was not even 25 when he wrote it. l'm stunned at how many people know its Wakeman. He played on everyone's music before Yes, as he was a session musician. He even played on Elton's records. xD
Baby boomer here who just discovered your channel Lovin it! Seeing your reactions and appreciation for the music of my time makes me smile Cat Stevens “ On The Road To Find Out “ and “ If You Want To Sing Out, Sing Out” are just a few more of his good ones imo
I can’t even imagine having that amount of talent at songwriting. It’s absolutely a gift. People don’t realize how special it is. A lot of people think they can write songs, but no!
Such sweet memories of this spinning on my Mom's record player. Cat Stevens and Fleetwood Mac were my introduction to music. Cat's in the Cradle is a must listen!
Cat’s in the Cradle is a great song, but it wasn’t recorded by Cat Stevens. Harry Chapin wrote and recorded it in 1974. (Actually, it was based on a poem written by his wife but I think he had to change the lyrics some to make them work as a song.) In 1977 Decca released a compilation album of Cat Stevens’ songs called Cat’s Cradle, which is probably where the confusion lies. Apparently the misunderstanding has spread with the internet. I looked and saw multiple sites that said Stevens covered the song but couldn’t find an actual recording. Just the compilation album, which doesn’t include the song. I thought Jay and Amber had reacted to Cat’s in the Cradle but it didn’t show up when I searched, so yes, it’s a must listen.
Thank you both for your comments. If I'm not mistaken, Jordan and Amber indeed reacted to Harry Chapin's "Cat's In The Cradle", but it was taken down due to the copyright policy. In 1992 there was a band, Ugly Kid Joe, who did a cover "Cats In The Cradle". I don't know if that version has the same policy and whether or not it will stay on this channel if they would ever react to that one.
"Praise for the sweetness Of the wet garden Sprung in completeness Where His feet pass." Such a beautiful hymn of praise! I was so glad when he covered this. Cat Stevens was a force as a singer/songwriter, but he also covered other people's music and did it well. His rabbit hole is deep and worth looking into.
When I was a teenager in youth choir at church, we actually sang this song during our services. It’s got such a beautiful sound and it’s so peaceful and so uplifting. I love Cat Stevens.
His music was so much a part of my youth. Finally saw him after he became Yusuf Islam. He was at a rally, in D.C., singing “Peace Train” opposite Ozzie Osborne singing “Crazy Train”. I will never forget it!
Cat Stevens is a rabbit hole worth going down..Some absolutely beautiful songs...Where do the Children Play..Moon shadow...Mathew and Son are a few worth checking out
@@NavvyMom Matthew and Son...Father and Son are two different songs...I think they have already done a reaction video to Father and Son on this channel...
@@terra274 Yeah thanks, had to look it up and saw there are two songs. I never heard Matthew and Son, must give it a listen. Yes, I think they did do Father and Son, I seem to remember that.
I drive to work in the early morning and in the spring and summer when the sun rises as I drive up the NJ Turnpike to NYC, I’ve been known to break out in song, Morning Has Broken on many a morning.
When I was in elementary school we had a hippie teacher who had zero control over us kids until she put on this Cat Stevens album. I knew every word to every song. I cried singing along and remembering. Bless that teacher. I grew up with the best music ever. No other will ever compare❤✌🏻
So many memories associated to this song. So beautiful. One of my first memories, was when I was about 15 yrs, my mother wanted me to play the piano for our church. She played the organ and there was a brand new black Yamama grand piano in the church. I did play and I played this song.. the piano seemed to play itself, this song was so beautiful. It was a beautiful day.
The name of the pianist is Rick Wakeman, famously of Yes. One of Cat's most celebrated works. An extraordinarily deep musical spirit that can never be silenced.
I love his music so much, and this song is one of my absolute favorites. I used to go to a church that sang it as one of the regular hymns during church services, but it also works regardless of religion or lack thereof. It's just a really beautiful song.
This is one of my favorite songs! It brings me such peace. Cat's version came out in 1972 when I was in Jr High. We sang it in school choir and it was a blessing to sing. He was the right person at the right time to make this song popular.
"Teaser and the Fire Cat". By Cat Stevens. It is one of the top five albums ever released. EVERY. SINGLE SONG is great. I particularly like: "Bitterblue" "If I Laugh" "How Can I tell you?"
Please do "Wild World" by Cat Stevens. I'm old now but when I was about 18-19 my mother said this song always reminded her of me so it has a special place in my heart. 💕😎😎😎😎
I am 74. Cat Stevens was one of my very favorite artists. That particular song speaks deeply to me. I bought my grandaughters his album with that song and others on it. They too love it.
I am also a morning person Amber. It’s quiet and still and cool and no one else is around. You can sit and listen to the birds and watch the sky light up and soak in the peaceful ambience. Beautiful beautiful beautiful song ❤❤
Love this song. I love it when I learn something new and from reading some of the comments I never knew this was a hymnal. Makes the song even more special knowing the history around it.
Moon shadow, wild world, father and son, everything he touches is gold. The decades when he disowned his own music as sinful was such a loss to us all.
Always so lovely to hear the words sung by Cat Stevens! In concert this man had an opening that was incredible!!❤❤I heard he walked away from music industry. I believe he went to study like in Tibet or something. Such a gentle soul ❤❤
Give me a break. After he converted to Islam, and the ayatollah put a fatwa(death sentence) on Salman Rushdie, Cat Stevens(don't know his muslim name) publicly supported the fatwa......not what a gentle soul would do
@@rubroken From what I've been able to ascertain regarding this story, he was asked about Islamic law's position on the fatwah during a University talk on the religion, and replied that according to Islamic law it was justified. He didn't intend to personally condone it, although of course it was represented by the media as being just that - a personal endorsement. He also claims that he later unwisely made jokes about it on a TV show and was again misunderstood. It's been observed that he's straddled two very different worlds and world views regarding this. When Rushdie was attacked and seriously wounded last year, possibly as a response to the fatwah, the singer publicly expressed his revulsion at the crime and wished him a full recovery.
@@papercup2517 Don't get me wrong, in the early 70's I loved his music, and happy that he found his faith in Islam. I can't blindly say that he's a gentle soul when he or anyone condones the death of another because a higher authority blesses that death
I just love him. If You Want to Sing Out, Sing Out, Moonshadow, The First Cut is the Deepest, plus the ones you've done already....so many beautiful songs!
The Wind Song! Seriously one of the most beautiful songs ever written by anyone. EVER. It is really, generally so basic , and incredible. Once you hear it you will never forget it.
One of my all-time favorite movies is Harold and Maude (GO WATCH IT NOW!) and Cat Stevens composed and performed all the songs in this beautiful movie only made even more amazing by his music.
They absolutely should do movie reaction to Harold and Maude, the greatest love story ever. I warn people that they have to be in the right mood however.
Such a great movie 🎥 ❤ my Dad took me to it when I was a teenager AND the church in the movie was right around the corner where I worked as an adult and I could take my lunchtime walk by it 😊
Glad you are continuing your Cat Stevens journey. A few suggestions on where to head next: If You Want To Sing Out Sing Out, Where Do The Children Play, Longer Boats and Moonshadow. All are different styles of the same voice. Also, listen to The First Cut Is The Deepest. There have been covers, but you should check out the original.
This was played in church all of the time in the 70s. My church still occasionally plays it. It's also evidently played at many funerals (including my mom's).
This is an English hymn originally - words written in the 1930’s by an English author and set to a traditional Scottish tune, but made famous worldwide by Cat Stevens. Piano was arranged and played by Rick Wakenman (keyboards wizard in Yes). Wonderful song.
Bingo! It was all done in one hour straight off.
The hymn originally appeared in the Songs of Praise (2nd Edition, 1931) and was set to the tune "Bunessan", a Gaelic song from the Scottish Islands. English poet and children's author Eleanor Farjeon was "asked to make a poem to fit the lovely Scottish tune." Forty years later, Cat Stevens' arrangement was on his 1971 "Teaser and the Firecat" album. Simply magic.
Oh wow I didn't realize that was Rick Wakeman! Fantastic! Thanks for that!
Rick Wakeman also played keyboards on David Bowie’s “Space Oddity”
I didn't know that was Wakeman!. Thanks for the education.
Me and my three brothers sang this together at my mom’s funeral service. This song hits me in a way I cannot even describe.
I get it my mom died car accident 29 when this came out am not religious but the words are beautiful
Oh my gosh.. I get it and I don't know how you did that. It was played at my mom's funeral too. I'm crying now just hearing it again.
Sorry for your losses, what a beautiful song
Wish y'all had this on UA-cam. Would love to hear. Played at my mom's service too last year. She was sharp as a tack til her last breath at age 88. She also requested Louis Armstrong singing What a Wonderful World.
Sorry for your loss but what a beautiful tribute to her.
This was my mom’s favourite song too… my two cousins played and sang it at her funeral. I’m crying now. Rest in peace to our mommas ❤️🙏🏻☀️
This old hymn we sang as young kids in assembly (in England). It's very old I believe but Cat's version is GORGEOUS.
I was just thinking I am sure we used to sing that at primary school morning assembly on the 70s!
We sang it in church here in the states in the 70s as well.
It's in one of the hymnals that we use presently.
Blessings to all.
Me too. It was written by Eleanor Farjeon who also wrote "Cats Sleep Anywhere".
It's #145 in the United Methodist Hymnal.
My late mom loved this song and Cat Stevens. The fact that it's a waltz makes this song even better. She's been gone so long but hearing this beautiful song brings back all the good memories of her.
“Wild World” is one of my favorites by Cat Stevens
That's probably his signature song, and it's a great one.
Hope they check this one out next.
So Very Young
@@elizabethfranco1284 Oh Very Young is my favorite too - one of those message songs!
Mine, too.
one of the most beautiful male voices ever
This actually IS a hymn. He went to Rick Wakeman, keyboard player from Yes, to make this very short hymn into a piece that he could record as a single. When Rick Wakeman asked him what kind of sound he was looking for, he said that the music Rick was playing when he came in was just right. The music Rick was playing was from an album he was working on called "The Six Wives of Henry VIII", the song was Catherine Howard. You should check that out and you'll hear the similarities. I believe Rick not only did the piano arrangement, but also played on the recording.
Great info, thanks
And Wakeman was never paid his $10 fee for his work here.
@@thomasmacdiarmid8251 £10, not $10 - so it would be roughly $25 at the time. But I believe Yusef settled the account fairly recently after Rick pointed out his omission in an interview. Rick's time and contribution were, after all, a bargain! [although this was not a bad session musician's fee for the time - in the sense that session musicians were rarely well paid]. Whether Yusef adjusted it for inflation or not is another matter!! £10 in 1971 would be roughly worth £2000 today, and that is excluding any interest charges for late payment...
Love the history
@@schubertuk I was not sure if that had been rectified. I am sure it was not really an issue, like Wakeman was not missing rent because of it.
I think every girl in the early 70's had a huge crush on Cat Stevens. What a beautiful man! He converted to Islam after almost drowning. He prayed if he was saved he would devote his life. The waves pushed him to shore and he became Yusuf Islam. He gave up music for many years but is back to performing again. He's now 74.
I did too. I think you’re right. Everyone I knew in the 70’s loved us some Cat!
Ich bin erst 1970 geboren aber wenn ich ihn sehe(in Videos) könnte ich mich rückwirkend noch verlieben in diesen hübschen Mann 🫶.
Er hat dem Islam aber mittlerweile den Rücken gekehrt 🤗
At least he's stopped supporting the people who were calling for Salman Rushdie's murder after Rushdie wrote a novel that displeased Islamic leaders. I lost all respect for him when he did that, and it totally negated a lifetime of writing songs about peace and emotion.
I went 13 years Catholic school. In grade school we had folk masses every Friday morning with guitars and piano. We sang this many times. Good memories! ❤️. It’s the story of creation.
Same here, 13 yrs also. Grammer school in the 70s and lots of folk masses. This was played many times.
same here.
In the 1970s, my parish was known as the “”hippie church” in town because we were the only ones to have folk masses regularly.
Same! 1980s Catholic School memories.
When I lived in California, I sang in a Catholic Church choir, and we sang it often over the 10 years. :)
“Wild World” is my all time favorite Cat Stevens. We sang this song in High School choir, it has all the singing parts and it’s iconic. 😁❤️
Hard to choose a favourite Cat Stevens track but if pressed I'd go for Peace Train.
A great one. I love the entire “Tea for the Tillerman” album.
Mine, too !
Jimmy Cliff did a nice version too.
Ditto from me!
It IS a church hymn. I was in school in the 1950s and 60s. We sang this as one of the first morning service songs that we sang at morning prayers. (Church of England school) I also had in my wedding, as did my sister.
Beautiful for a wedding! I want it at my funeral.
@Loupa57 yes we did to in our school Burdett Coutts in Chelsea around 1969.
8t has been used in church, but it is from the musical "Godspell" This is the 3rd song in the musical. The same composer wrote the musical "Wicked".
It may be the 1000th time I've heard this, but I find myself covered in goosebumps!
He has so many beautiful, soul-touching songs. “Oh very Young,” is a touching , bittersweet realization that our children’s world will not last and they are expected to carry on and form their own world. Any parent who has experienced the desire for them to stay young & innocent would find it difficult to not be moved.
"Oh Very Young" is about as good as music gets.
Every morning at Primary School in England in the 1970's this was played every morning and became one of my most favourite songs ever. I know every word such a beautiful song..
I can't stress how his 3 albums from the early 70s: Mona Bone Jakon/ Tea For The Tillerman/ & Teaser And The Firecat are just masterpieces. ALL THE SONGS ARE GOOD on all 3 albums, not one filler track
Love Mona Bone Jackon, Lady d'Arbanville - it's about an actress whom he dated when younger
Every single one of them! I second that. 😊
Buddha and the Chocolate Box is another good one, along with Very Young and Early Songs. I picked that one up a loong time ago on vinyl, like 1975.
Absolutely.brilliant albums
Ya what you said! He is an amazing artist for sure!!!
When my wife and I were married we each had our own song that we danced to at our reception. Mine was Morning Has Broken, sung by Cat Stevens. It spoke to me of starting a whole new life, being reborn so to speak. After 41 years of marriage my wife passed on last October. This song brought several tears to my eyes. Her song was When You Wish Upon A Star sung by Jiminy Cricket (Cliff Edwards actually) in the Walt Disney animated movie Pinocchio. Thank You Both for this reaction.
Aloha Bill, my heart is with you and your love. 41 yrs with the love of my life and he left on thanksgiving day in 2021. Hope you are doing ok. Grieving has been horribly hard for me. I hope you have good family support. I feel terribly sad and alone. Broken. Grief is weird.
Viktor Frankl, the psychologist and Holocaust survivor who wrote “Man’s Search for Meaning,” once counseled a widower who was overcome by grief at the loss of his wife. Frankl asked him how she would have reacted if he had been the one who had died. The man said she would have felt the same way. Frankl asked if the man would have wanted her to go through that. The man said no, of course not. Then, Frankl noted, bearing the burden of the grief of her absence was an act of love, his final gift to her. The man found meaning and thus a measure of peace in that.
As the line goes, “What is grief but love enduring?”
I wish you well.
Sorry for your loss. We’ve been married 41 years ourselves. May the Lord bless you and keep you and yours, always!
❤❤
@@Wendy-ov5hu Grief is part of life. I lost my only brother when we were both teens and then I lost my first son.
Life can crush you if you let it but it insists that you maintain a positive attitude. The alternative is hopelessness and that is never a good choice.
Walk outside and lift your arms and breath in the air. We are blessed with life and life demands that we bless it.
This was my sister Kimberly's favorite song. We played it at her funeral.
❤
Sorry for your loss buddy
Sorry for your loss, Cozmo. My heart aches for you, having lost a sister and brother, too. Peace and love ❤️
Was also one of my sisters favourites. ❤️💔
You made me cry now.
This song gives my goosebumps, such a beautiful prayer.
He is a very spiritual person. This brings tears to these old eyes as his voice was such a bit of the soundtrack of my college years. Such a unique and soothing voice. I hope you do "Wild World" which is perhaps my favorite of his.
Absolutely...beautiful...one of my favorite....
It’s more about EVERY new day starting with the awe of the first morning in the garden of Eden. I agree with you Amber, every morning is a new blessing to behold and be grateful for.
Exactly.
Praise with elation,
Praise every morning,
God's recreation
Of the new day.
If you don’t listen to anymore of his songs you’ll regret it, the man is a genius
@TheRobReactions-ON-TELE-GRAM I’ve checked your videos and seen you’ve done a few, my mistake , but his voice is amazing
Cats in craddle❤
@@barbaramarkland7441 Cat's in the Cradle is a great song, but it's not by Cat Stevens. Harry Chapin wrote and recorded it, basing it on a poem written by his wife, Sandy Chapin. I did find a video which was posted crediting Cat Stevens as the artist, but it wasn't - it's Harry Chapin's recording with a picture of Cat Stevens.
He's praising God's creation of every new day just like the first day of creation. Beautiful.
Since god, little g, And the "SUN" of god, little g Are Only Real Inside The Thoroughly Programmed From Early Childhood By Faux religions $heep-le's Orbs, So-Called god, little g, And the "SUN" of god, little g, And allah, little a, And $atan, little s, aka the devil, little d, And the lord, little l Do Not Unfortunately Exist . . . Ouch . . .
Yes, as he sings:
Praise for them springing fresh from the "word."
Not fresh from the "world" as many will think and hear, and as many lyrics online will write. To know this just listen to him carefully when he sings it. You can also look at his original LP album that the song is on. On that album all of the lyrics are written out, and there you will see it, the "word." The word being the Bible, the word of God. He didn't change any of the words in the original poem, he only added verses.
Hi ! Oh, thank you both for playing this lovely song ! We used to sing this in school in England ..... it's an old English hymn .... when I listen to this I remember to look at all the birds in our garden, busy raising their newborns right now! Puts things into perspective ❤
I believe that Rick Wakeman of the group Yes, played piano on this. Beautiful!
Yes, Rick Wakeman improvised the piano part for this recording.
I did not know that. Cool.
@francisseidel8014 Rick Wakeman based it on "Catherine Howard" from his Six Wives of Henry VIII album.
@drewmax - Yes he did, but he said in an interview that he improvised changes to it to make this song unique. Wakeman is one of the best keyboard players ever to walk this planet. I recall that he became friends two others - Jon Lord (Deep Purple) and Keith Emerson. Those three are why I wanted to play keyboards.
Also did the piano on David Bowie’s ‘Life on Mars’, I think.
This song was sung at our wedding. Still married at 36 years. This and Annie’s Song by John Denver were very popular wedding songs in the late 70s and 80s.
A most beautiful song. It’s even in our hymnals now. 😊❤
Not too bad for a Muslim songwriter.
He wasn’t Muslim then!!
@@gjcloninger3414 - He didn't write the lyrics, they're a poem by the English poet Eleanor Farjeon. And he became a Muslim many years after this came out.
The hymn came first, in 1931. Stevens changed the lyrics a little, but it is basically the same. We had a friend sing this at my mother's funeral last month.
It has been in the hymnals since the 50's I think!
One of my all time favorite songs ever written. His piano player is the incomparable and talented Rick Wakeman who, interestingly, played synthesizers on some of Ozzy Osbourne’s biggest hits.
And Yes plus Sky and his own solo albums.
@dianegray5164 thanks for that info,his piano playing is out of this world😊
@@TR-jc8pc ~ Rick took the song ''Catherine Howard' off of the _Six Wives....''_ album and used it for the song. lts mindblowing because he was not even 25 when he wrote it. l'm stunned at how many people know its Wakeman. He played on everyone's music before Yes, as he was a session musician. He even played on Elton's records. xD
I love this song! It tells the beauty of each new day. It was written in 1931 by Eleanor Farjeon.
If this song doesn't hit you right in the Labanza, you're not human. Beautiful is SUCH an understatement in describing this song.
Baby boomer here who just discovered your channel
Lovin it! Seeing your reactions and appreciation for the music of my time makes me smile
Cat Stevens “ On The Road To Find Out “ and “ If You Want To Sing Out, Sing Out” are just a few more of his good ones imo
Cat Stevens wrote and sang the whole soundtrack to the movie "Harold and Maude" and it is stunning.
@@karenfryberger4260 you’re so right! Not many people have watched Harold and Maude in my world
I loved that movie and the soundtrack=excellent
I can’t even imagine having that amount of talent at songwriting. It’s absolutely a gift.
People don’t realize how special it is. A lot of people think they can write songs, but no!
Such sweet memories of this spinning on my Mom's record player. Cat Stevens and Fleetwood Mac were my introduction to music. Cat's in the Cradle is a must listen!
Cat’s in the Cradle is a great song, but it wasn’t recorded by Cat Stevens. Harry Chapin wrote and recorded it in 1974. (Actually, it was based on a poem written by his wife but I think he had to change the lyrics some to make them work as a song.)
In 1977 Decca released a compilation album of Cat Stevens’ songs called Cat’s Cradle, which is probably where the confusion lies. Apparently the misunderstanding has spread with the internet. I looked and saw multiple sites that said Stevens covered the song but couldn’t find an actual recording. Just the compilation album, which doesn’t include the song.
I thought Jay and Amber had reacted to Cat’s in the Cradle but it didn’t show up when I searched, so yes, it’s a must listen.
Thank you both for your comments. If I'm not mistaken, Jordan and Amber indeed reacted to Harry Chapin's "Cat's In The Cradle", but it was taken down due to the copyright policy. In 1992 there was a band, Ugly Kid Joe, who did a cover "Cats In The Cradle". I don't know if that version has the same policy and whether or not it will stay on this channel if they would ever react to that one.
@@helindove2237 The cover is fantastic as well.
@@terri2494 Yes, sorry, I should have clarified it's Harry.
This my favourite hymn, I love its simplicity and its message. I also love Cat Steven's version
This is a hymn in our hymnal book at church. Beautiful song.
I'm a song director at the local church of Christ and I led this song just a few weeks ago.
Whenever we sing this in church, I hear this in my head and I catch myself singing like him
So many beautiful songs in his catalog. Dig deeply into it, you won't regret it. You MUST listen to "Sad Lisa" -- so lovely, so sad, and yet so cool.
"Praise for the sweetness
Of the wet garden
Sprung in completeness
Where His feet pass."
Such a beautiful hymn of praise! I was so glad when he covered this. Cat Stevens was a force as a singer/songwriter, but he also covered other people's music and did it well. His rabbit hole is deep and worth looking into.
The words of someone who has never trodden on a slug barefoot.
@@andrewgrant6516 , judgy much! How do you know ? Arrogant!
Thanks guys. I'm amazed at how much modern? British music is appreciated internationally. Proud that so much has come out of our little island.
This is a beautiful song. On a tough day, it helps to remember that nature proceeds exactly as it should. Creatures provide a peaceful consistency.
One of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard. Beautiful piano beautiful voice.
When I was a teenager in youth choir at church, we actually sang this song during our services. It’s got such a beautiful sound and it’s so peaceful and so uplifting. I love Cat Stevens.
Helped that the song was an existing church hymn for many years before Cat Stevens saw the quality of it.
I didn’t know that. Thanks.
I didn't know that either.
Such a beautiful song from a beautiful man. I love seeing so many saying it’s in their hymnal’s ✝️ 💜 ✝️
His music was so much a part of my youth. Finally saw him after he became Yusuf Islam. He was at a rally, in D.C., singing “Peace Train” opposite Ozzie Osborne singing “Crazy Train”. I will never forget it!
😄 Classic!
They haven't heard 'Crazy Train' yet! Might be my favorite song.
My cousin sang this song at my wedding. It never fails to give me chills. Thank you for this lovely reaction.
Cat Stevens is a rabbit hole worth going down..Some absolutely beautiful songs...Where do the Children Play..Moon shadow...Mathew and Son are a few worth checking out
Bitter Blue, Sad Lisa, Wild World, so many great tunes.
I always thought it was "Father and Son."
@@NavvyMom Matthew and Son...Father and Son are two different songs...I think they have already done a reaction video to Father and Son on this channel...
@@terra274 Yeah thanks, had to look it up and saw there are two songs. I never heard Matthew and Son, must give it a listen. Yes, I think they did do Father and Son, I seem to remember that.
great choices
His music...his voice.. My 18 year old self wore his albums out...and I still listen today at 72
If you hear this song enough times, you'll hear the piano riffs in your head whenever you see a beautiful sunrise. It isn't a bad thing.
❤
Here comes the sun has that space for me, but sometimes it’s this one.
I drive to work in the early morning and in the spring and summer when the sun rises as I drive up the NJ Turnpike to NYC, I’ve been known to break out in song, Morning Has Broken on many a morning.
When I was in elementary school we had a hippie teacher who had zero control over us kids until she put on this Cat Stevens album. I knew every word to every song. I cried singing along and remembering. Bless that teacher. I grew up with the best music ever. No other will ever compare❤✌🏻
Yes keyboardist, Rick Wakeman, did an outstanding job on the piano on this song.
All I can do is share that this was a formative song for me. It had a feeling of rebirth, and Cat Stevens is just a gift to everyone.
So many memories associated to this song. So beautiful. One of my first memories, was when I was about 15 yrs, my mother wanted me to play the piano for our church. She played the organ and there was a brand new black Yamama grand piano in the church. I did play and I played this song.. the piano seemed to play itself, this song was so beautiful. It was a beautiful day.
The name of the pianist is Rick Wakeman, famously of Yes. One of Cat's most celebrated works. An extraordinarily deep musical spirit that can never be silenced.
I love his music so much, and this song is one of my absolute favorites. I used to go to a church that sang it as one of the regular hymns during church services, but it also works regardless of religion or lack thereof. It's just a really beautiful song.
Bitter Blue and I Can't Keep It In are two songs that will show you another side of Cat's passionate and strong voice. I love Cat.
Yes to bitterblue.....a different take on Cat! You'll like it, Jay. 👍
Interesting that this is actually a traditional Scottish Gaelic tune called Bunessan ( named for the village of Bunessan on the Isle of Mull).
And the lyrics are a poem by the English poet Eleanor Farjeon.
This is one of my favorite songs! It brings me such peace. Cat's version came out in 1972 when I was in Jr High. We sang it in school choir and it was a blessing to sing. He was the right person at the right time to make this song popular.
"Teaser and the Fire Cat". By Cat Stevens. It is one of the top five albums ever released. EVERY. SINGLE SONG is great.
I particularly like:
"Bitterblue"
"If I Laugh"
"How Can I tell you?"
This was a Hymn, when i was at school it was my favorite that we sang in morning assembly each week.
Please do "Wild World" by Cat Stevens. I'm old now but when I was about 18-19 my mother said this song always reminded her of me so it has a special place in my heart. 💕😎😎😎😎
I just checked. They've already reacted to Wild World. It's a great song though.
I am 74. Cat Stevens was one of my very favorite artists. That particular song speaks deeply to me. I bought my grandaughters his album with that song and others on it. They too love it.
This has always been my favorite Cat Stevens song, an old hymn highlighted by a perfect piano arrangement by keyboardist Rick Wakeman of Yes!
Captures a time that no longer exists, except in our minds. Life is fleeting.
I am also a morning person Amber. It’s quiet and still and cool and no one else is around. You can sit and listen to the birds and watch the sky light up and soak in the peaceful ambience. Beautiful beautiful beautiful song ❤❤
Love this song. I love it when I learn something new and from reading some of the comments I never knew this was a hymnal. Makes the song even more special knowing the history around it.
Used Cat Stevens has been my fav for nearly 50 years.
I’m thrilled y’all are reacting to him.
Wild world next please.
They did Wild World, check it out
Moonshadow
@@Ziliman802 really?
I guess my list of reactors is getting too extensive
@@RoadDoug yes, it was about a year ago. Hope you find it
Moon shadow, wild world, father and son, everything he touches is gold. The decades when he disowned his own music as sinful was such a loss to us all.
These songs remind me of my Dad, he played them a lot while I was growing up. Such nostalgia, and I can still sing along with all the words. Beautiful
Me too. I remember hearing this with my Dad right before I enlisted.
OMG this beautiful song make me cry since my childhood 🥹🥲❤thank you for sharing ☺️
One of my top 10 songs ever!
Next for sure "Oh Very Young"
I love Cat Stevens music and this is my favorite song of his.
One of the most popular school hymns in Britain- I remember singing this in the 60s junior assembly.
Always so lovely to hear the words sung by Cat Stevens! In concert this man had an opening that was incredible!!❤❤I heard he walked away from music industry. I believe he went to study like in Tibet or something. Such a gentle soul ❤❤
He converted to Islam and gave it up for a while.
He has been back for awhile now and touring.
Give me a break. After he converted to Islam, and the ayatollah put a fatwa(death sentence) on Salman Rushdie, Cat Stevens(don't know his muslim name) publicly supported the fatwa......not what a gentle soul would do
@@rubroken From what I've been able to ascertain regarding this story, he was asked about Islamic law's position on the fatwah during a University talk on the religion, and replied that according to Islamic law it was justified. He didn't intend to personally condone it, although of course it was represented by the media as being just that - a personal endorsement. He also claims that he later unwisely made jokes about it on a TV show and was again misunderstood. It's been observed that he's straddled two very different worlds and world views regarding this. When Rushdie was attacked and seriously wounded last year, possibly as a response to the fatwah, the singer publicly expressed his revulsion at the crime and wished him a full recovery.
@@papercup2517 Don't get me wrong, in the early 70's I loved his music, and happy that he found his faith in Islam. I can't blindly say that he's a gentle soul when he or anyone condones the death of another because a higher authority blesses that death
yes i love the peace train it is a great song
One of my favorites. Cat Stevens/Yusuf is so talented and brings so much joy. Wild World is my next suggestion!
You guys have GOT to do more Cat Stevens. He has MANY more absolutely gorgeous songs, seriously.
OH I am beyond happy you reacted to this truly beautiful song! Cat Stevens voice is amazing! Please do Wild World or Moonshadow next.
I grew up listening to Cat Stevens....he's one of a kind
One of my more favourite solo artists, he calms any bad day I have right down. And he certainly isn't hard on the eyes either :)
I just love him. If You Want to Sing Out, Sing Out, Moonshadow, The First Cut is the Deepest, plus the ones you've done already....so many beautiful songs!
Eleanor Farjeon is the composer of this gorgeous hymn.
I wrote the same before seeing your post. What a wonderful writer she was.
This is so pure I have tears in my eyes, the building of the piano chorus is so beautiful
So beautiful, it’s in our hymnal, we do sing this in church. Cats voice is so soothing and beautiful. ❤
The Wind Song! Seriously one of the most beautiful songs ever written by anyone. EVER. It is really, generally so basic , and incredible. Once you hear it you will never forget it.
This song is so beautiful ,the voice of an angel 😇
His music and voice definitely touched my soul long ago
So beautiful, this man! Makes life realistic & so nice!
Wild World is a very incredible song! Soooo happy to hear
you truly enjoy Cat!
One of my all-time favorite movies is Harold and Maude (GO WATCH IT NOW!) and Cat Stevens composed and performed all the songs in this beautiful movie only made even more amazing by his music.
They absolutely should do movie reaction to Harold and Maude, the greatest love story ever. I warn people that they have to be in the right mood however.
Oh, yes. Such a strange but beautiful movie. Played at a movie theater in Minneapolis for maybe 10 years straight.
My favourite film of all time. I make everyone watch it.
1 of my favourites of all time - utterly brilliant film with the most amazing soundtrack courtesy of him!
Such a great movie 🎥 ❤ my Dad took me to it when I was a teenager AND the church in the movie was right around the corner where I worked as an adult and I could take my lunchtime walk by it 😊
Amber has turned into such a beautiful hippie!!❤❤
Great comment. "Beautiful is an understatement." Amazing!
This song is beautiful on the ears and it fills you with positive energy.
Every morning in junior school, (7-10 year old) this was the hymm we sang in the assembly in the main hall. Just brings back many childhood memories.
Glad you are continuing your Cat Stevens journey. A few suggestions on where to head next: If You Want To Sing Out Sing Out, Where Do The Children Play, Longer Boats and Moonshadow. All are different styles of the same voice. Also, listen to The First Cut Is The Deepest. There have been covers, but you should check out the original.
Yes it’s a hymn I remember very well singing as a child in church . Made my eyes wet there listening to it again 😮
👍🏴
The piano gives me dappled light and water tinkling over rocks...thank you Yusuf and the Creator ❤
And Rick Wakeman from Yes on the piano.
This was played in church all of the time in the 70s. My church still occasionally plays it. It's also evidently played at many funerals (including my mom's).
Beautiful song. Rick Wakeman from Yes on piano.
We used to sing this at mass when I went to Catholic school in the 70's. Also Rick Wakeman is masterful on that piano! I've always loved this song.
I learned this song in middle school in the 70s. So beautiful and sung in many churches as part of their worship
Yes. Like a hymn. And that piano. He's magical.