About The Song
“Early in the Morning” was written by Paul Stookey, a member of the folk trio Peter, Paul and Mary, and credited to Noel Stookey and Eddie Miller. The song was composed in 1962, drawing inspiration from traditional folk melodies and Stookey’s experiences in the Greenwich Village folk scene. It was recorded in early 1962 at Bell Sound Studios in New York City, produced by Albert Grossman and Milt Okun. The track was released as a single in April 1962 by Warner Bros. Records, serving as the B-side to “Lemon Tree,” and was included on the trio’s debut album, Peter, Paul and Mary, released in May 1962. The song, running 1:37, is a concise folk piece featuring acoustic guitar and the trio’s signature harmonies.
While “Lemon Tree” was the A-side, “Early in the Morning” did not chart independently on the Billboard Hot 100, as B-sides were not typically tracked separately during this period. However, the single package with “Lemon Tree” peaked at number 35 on the Hot 100 on June 16, 1962, and number 12 on the Billboard Middle-Road Singles (Adult Contemporary) chart, with a nine-week chart run. Internationally, the single reached number 20 in Canada on the CHUM Chart and number 18 in Australia. Cash Box described it as a “sprightly, upbeat folk tune” with “crisp vocal delivery,” noting its complementary role to the A-side’s success. The song’s inclusion on the debut album, which reached number 1 on the Billboard 200, boosted its exposure.
Background details reveal that Stookey wrote the song as a reflection on the quiet moments of dawn, inspired by his early morning walks in New York City. The lyrics, simple and direct, evoke a sense of solitude and introspection, fitting the folk revival’s emphasis on personal storytelling. The trio’s arrangement emphasized minimal instrumentation to highlight their vocal interplay. Other artists, including The Kingston Trio (1963) and Gordon Lightfoot (1966), later performed similar folk-style morning-themed songs, though no direct covers of this track are widely documented. The song was performed at the trio’s early concerts, including their 1962 Carnegie Hall performance, which helped establish their reputation.
Expert commentary includes AllMusic’s Bruce Eder, who called the song a “charming, understated track” that showcased Stookey’s songwriting potential within the trio’s early catalog. Songfacts noted its brevity as a strength, allowing it to fit seamlessly into the album’s flow. Billboard archives highlighted its role in demonstrating the trio’s versatility beyond protest songs. No controversies are tied to the song, though its B-side status meant it received less attention than hits like “If I Had a Hammer.” Its inclusion in the 1962 album, certified double platinum, and its use in a 1990s PBS documentary on the folk revival underscore its minor but enduring presence in the trio’s legacy.
Video
Lyric
Well early in the morning, about the break of day
I ask the Lord, “Help me find the way!”
Help me find the way to the promised land
This lonely body needs a helping hand
I ask the Lord to help me please find my wayWhen the new day’s a-dawning, I bow my head in prayer
I pray the Lord, “Won’t you lead me there?”
Won’t you lead me there to the promised land?
This lonely body needs a helping hand
I ask the Lord to help me please find my wayWhen the darkness appears, and the night draws near
And the day is past and gone
At the river I stand, guide my feet, hold my hand
I ask the Lord to help me please find my wayEarly in the morning, about the break of day
I ask the Lord, “Help me find the way!”
Help me find the way to the promised land
This lonely body needs a helping hand
I ask the Lord to help me please find my way