Bunessan is a hymn tune based on a Scottish folk melody, first associated with the Christmas carol "Child in the Manger"[1] and later and more commonly with "Morning Has Broken".
Mary M. MacDonald (Màiri Dhòmhnallach in Scottish Gaelic) (1789–1872), who lived in the crofting community of Ardtun near Bunessan and spoke only Gaelic, wrote her hymn Leanabh an Àigh to a traditional melody.
[3][4] A monument to MacDonald can be seen about 1.5 miles east of the village, on the road towards Craignure.
Sometime before 1927 Alexander Fraser heard the melody in the Scottish Highlands and wrote it down so that it came to the attention of Percy Dearmer, Ralph Vaughan Williams, and Martin Shaw.
[6] In 1971, a version of "Morning Has Broken" was recorded by English singer Cat Stevens, helping popularise the tune.