Morning Glory On The Vine: Early Songs and Drawings

by Joni Mitchell

A gorgeous compendium of Joni Mitchell’s handwritten lyrics and drawings, originally handcrafted as a gift for a select group of friends in 1971 and now available to the public for the first time
 
In 1971, as her album Blue topped charts around the world, Joni Mitchell crafted one hundred copies of Morning Glory on the Vine as a holiday gift for her closest friends. For this stunningly beautiful book, Joni hand-wrote an exquisite selection of her own lyrics and poems and illustrated them with more than thirty of her original pictures. Handcrafted, signed, and numbered in Los Angeles, the existing copies of this labor of love have rarely been seen in the past half-century.
     Now, during Joni’s seventy-fifth birthday year, Morning Glory on the Early Songs and Drawings will be widely available for the first time. In this faithfully reproduced edition, Joni’s best-loved lyrics and poems spill across the pages in her own elegant script. The lively, full-color drawings depict a superb array of landscapes, still lifes, portraits of friends, self-portraits, innovative abstractions, and more. All the artwork from the original book is included, along with several additional pictures that Joni drew of her friends from the same period. Finally, the refreshed volume features an original introduction written by Joni. Morning Glory on the Vine is a gorgeous and intimate keepsake and an invitation to explore anew the dazzling, visionary world of Joni Mitchell.

Genres: Poetry, Music, Art, Nonfiction, Canada, Womens, Memoir

136 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2019

About the author

Joni Mitchell, CC is a reknowned Canadian musician, songwriter, and painter.

Reviews

[Diane Stultz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not a story or a biography but a compilation of Joni Mitchell's art, poems, and song lyrics. The lyrics are in her own handwriting. The book was originally put together by her in the early days when she did not really know what to give her nouveau riche friends for Christmas. She made a collection of her lyrics and art and put them in a 3 ring binder. Then, her manager along with her agent published a limited number of the compilation so she had gifts for her friends. (Doesn't that sound like something she would do?)

There are several portraits of Graham Nash and a few self-portraits included in the collection.

This version, newly published, is a replica of that early private publication. It is a beautiful book and her lyrics/poems are deep. Her early artwork is cool...mostly colored pencil drawings. As another reviewer mentioned, I wish there were a magic button to push so I could hear her sing the songs as I read the lyrics.

[Koeeoaddi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A glorious book, from the beautiful optimistic art to the loopy young handwriting. I love this woman and I love these songs. My only complaint is that I want to HEAR THE SONGS that never made it onto her albums, dammit! Reading the lyrics, knowing that somewhere there is a recording of the song is ...inhumane. :)

At least we have "Hunter (The Good Samaritan)" that, for reasons I will never understand, was left off Blue!

https://youtu.be/iL857v8V7u0

[emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can't say I'm anywhere close to being a big fan of Joni Mitchell, but when winter rolls in, and it smells like Christmas in the air, I can't help but listen to 'River' again and again. And again and again and again. You know what I mean.

This book was stunning. The drawings were glorious and so heart-warmingly 'personal' in the gentlest and most graceful way possible. Definitely would make a really good gift for anyone who likes a bit of Joni in their life. Even if it's just to be used as a coffee-table book, this is a very beautiful and well-made work of art. The cover looks so fab too (not going to lie, but it's probably that that convinced me to pick up the book).

[Bert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dat Joni meer power in haar kleine teen heeft dan alle zelfverklaarde girlpowerpopprinsessen samen weten we natuurlijk al langer. Maar dat ze ook grafisch zo getalenteerd is, wist ik niet. Dit is een prachtig uitgegeven boek waarin het heerlijk bladeren is terwijl je naar haar sterkste songs luistert.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s a funny kind of intimacy/hagiography inherent in reading — absorbing? — artists’ creative ephemera. It’s almost the same way I felt about reading Flannery O’Connor’s prayer journal, though Morning Glory on the Vine feels a little less like an intrusion. This book, distributed originally to Joni’s close friends, invites you in.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Morning Glory on the Vine is a reproduction of books that the legendary singer and songwriter Joni Mitchell gave friends as gifts for Christmas in 1971. It is filled with handwritten lyrics and illustrations from her scrapbook. This is a beautifully produced book. The lyrics and illustrations are on oversized pages, and it felt very intimate flipping through and seeing the lyrics in Joni Mitchell's handwriting. This is a great gift for someone who is a Joni Mitchell superfan. I would recommend everyone at least check this out from their library and spend some time flipping through this beautiful book.

[Jonathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful book of drawings and lyrics by Joni Mitchell. I was quite blown away by how poetic her songs are, and even the ones I know well took on a different life when read from the pages of a book. The drawings are as unique as the lyrics and immediately identifiable as being by her if you are familiar with the cover art of Ladies Of The Canyon.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hand written lyrics of some amazing albums, a few poems scattered throughout, and the lovely artwork evocative of her early album covers. Gorgeous prestige format.

[Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️
Absolutely gorgeous!

As a deep fan of Joni Mitchell, this is a spectacular collection of some of her artwork and her early songs, written in her own handwriting. Makes for a great coffee table book or fan of her music and/or art.

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty cool collection of songs, poems, and drawings from J. Mitchell. Apparently, she made this collection for friends only in the late 60's or early 70's as a gift, which is pretty incredible and says a lot about her as a person. What can you say? The lyrics are incredible and she didn't miss very much at this point musically. The drawings are magnificent as well. Honestly, this was almost too personal. It was kind of like voyeurism into a world that wasn't supposed to be seen from this angle. Very cool on all levels, but I couldn't help but wonder why, after all these years, did she feel compelled to make this available to the public?

[C · Rating 5 out of 5]

idk if there is a more target audience than myself for this beautiful book

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a collection of Joni Mitchell’s art and handwritten poems and lyrics that she originally had put together in the early 70s as a Christmas gift for her friends. In 2019 this collection was published for the public. It was interesting to see her handwritten lyrics, particularly where there are slight differences from the album versions. 3.75 stars

[Adam Carrico]

Joni Mitchell is cool.

[Debs · Rating 5 out of 5]

A precious insight into an incredibly creative and talented woman, feel blessed she chose to share this with the world.

[Rebecca Hearne · Rating 1 out of 5]

Love Joni but sheeeeesh

[Nichole Taggart · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this book for Christmas from my husband. The pages are filled with songs, drawings, and paintings; all done by Joni Mitchell early in and before her career as a singer songwriter.

Needless to say as a poetry, music, and art lover, I love this book. The etchings throughout span from thought provoking to whimsical. The words scribed with them so lyrical you almost read them in a melody that is yet to be played.

This will be a book I return to throughout the year and years to come. I recommend this book to anyone who loves music, art, or poetry. 5 stars.

[Kathy Boehm · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a beautiful throwback to the early days of Joni Mitchell’s work. She hand-created multiple copies of the original book as Christmas gifts for close friends. This expanded version of her gift book is filled with poems, lyrics and art from Song for a Seagull 1968, Clouds 1969, Ladies of the Canyon 1970, and Blue 1971. The signed, limited edition includes a certificate of authenticity with two framable full color drawings. It was a splurge, yes, but a worthy treasure.

[Corey J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imagine having a friend as cool as Joni Mitchell. Now imagine that she hand wrote some poems and lyrics for you with some illustrations. Now imagine David Geffen turned it into a bound book and you got a copy for Christmas. Too bad, because this didn’t happen to you. But now, you can get this marvellous gift. Do it.

[ButIDigress · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tip: if you’re having trouble understanding her handwriting start with the songs you know by heart.

[Francesca D · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had wanted this book for so long. And, it did not disappoint.

***********

I got it as a gift to myself on very dreary day. At the time... Late winter.... in Columbus...
Ohio was starting to feel a lot like purgatory. I missed the sunshine. I missed warmth and light. Ohio can certainly a tough place to during winter for a Florida lady such as myself.

I wondered why I had not gotten the book sooner, but it timed out perfectly with when I probably needed it most.

Joni's music has always deeply resonated with me. My father gave me an original vinyl of 'Court and Spark' when I was about 13. He had acquired his copy during his days as Social Chair of his animal house fraternity at OSU in '75.
(imagine him.... making everyone chill the fuck out and trying to change the lives of his frat brothers with a magic record like THAT)

Needless to say, from that moment on, I was also changed for the better. I'll get more into my love of Joni in a second. I should probably talk about the book lol

From the title cover to the final pages, this book is a comprehensive look into a woman's incredible artistry. This book was originally created by Joni as a gift for her closest friends during Christmas of '71. After her recent commercial success at the time, she toiled over the perfect gift to give them. Now that this work is published for the entire world behold, as well... It is almost as if Joni would like to invite us all to know her more deeply, regarding us, too, as her closest friends.

The pages are full of Joni's lyrics, written in her own curly script, making it personal and intimately designed. Even more... This book also includes Joni's extraordinarily beautiful visual art. Many do not know that she is also an exceedingly talented painter. Joni excites me so much because she is that special kind of artist that rolls with creativity, on whatever grande adventure it may take her upon, in more mediums than one. Her artistic visions are rich with color, personality, and whimsy of the West. I particularly love the portrait that she did of her very dear friend, renowned musician, Neil Young.

I sat with this book... And, in one sitting, went page-by-page... song-by-song... And listened to each song. I spent time with each one individually, listening to the songs and following along with the lyrics written special by her. I focussed on the art as she sang. It was a very special experience for me to sit down and listen to someone I have loved so much in all her seasons. I felt her light. I felt close to her.

Joni's perspective on the world, life's finer details, the complexity and beauty of womanhood, and the tapestry of humankind moves me to no end. Her lyricism breathes life into my heart at a depth that very few artists can. And further... Her words make me see the world in a truly poetic way. The language she speaks is one that I read loud and clear; one that I speak, and, one that I can feel like someone else speaks just as passionately.

I feel incredibly blessed that I can live in a world where she is making magic for us to hear, to see, and to feel. If you have not looked more into Joni's discography and career, I implore you to explore and discover all that she is and has done. 'Court and Spark' is certainly a favorite album of mine, but I also cannot help but fall in love with 'Ladies of The Canyon' and 'Hejira' with every listen. She will warm you and show a special sort of way. Needless to say: There is no light like Joni's light.

[Jimgosailing · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful coffee table book or book to gift someone. As I was first reading, I want her to talk about her lyrics, to explain them or give them context (though I suppose most songwriters would say the the lyrics speak for themselves), but that’s not what this book is about. It was neat to see her lyrics in her own hand; and I loved the artwork- I’ve always liked her artwork- so seemingly minimalist and spare, but really a door to another level. I particularly like the watercolor that appears across from the lyrics for “Blue”. The background in the window, the guitar, the bedspread are all filled with color, yet the person sitting on the bed is just an outline - empty. Like the person herself is empty and out of gas. Then there’s the bottle in the foreground: wine? Or something stronger? And the playing cards - looks like Solitaire perhaps? More loneliness, emptiness?

I first got into Joni listening to Court and Spark. She had two hits off that album but I loved every song. I circled back and got Blue, great songs as well, but inexplicably I never picked up her other earlier albums (though I was familiar with the songs that got air play) but forged ahead with Hissing of Summer Lawns, Hejira, and Don Juan’s Reckless, each of which became a favorite (and Jaco’s bass playing was out of this world!) and everything that followed.

So now it’s time to circle back to those early albums and explore them. (And now, having read someone else’s comment that not all the lyrics in this book have been recorded (they linked to a YouTube of Joni performing one on tv that never made it onto an album) I knew i wasn’t familiar with all the lyrics but now I’ll have to figure out which haven’t been recorded and issued)

And I think I’ll look for covers of her songs. Not too long ago I heard someone covering River and someone else covering A Case of You (great lyrics that I think a lot of people misunderstand), so I’ll need to seek these out again.

[Peter Longden · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Sealey Challenge 2025 Day 9
‘Morning Glory on the Vine: Early Songs and Drawings’ by Joni Mitchell
I have been looking forward to reading this unusual choice for #thesealeychallenge; unusual because it is a book of lyrics from early Joni Mitchell songs, accompanied by her drawings. Joni Mitchell is one of my favourite singer/songwriters to listen to; I’ve been listening to her work for nearly fifty years: I even saw her, a tiny speck on a Birmingham Arena in the early 80s— the power of her songs more than making up for how diminutive she looked from our vantage point. It is the quality of her lyrics that draws me to listen to her; they tell stories; they are poetic. So, the chance to read her songs as poems is appealing. In the same way we accept that ‘every picture has its story’, well, according to Joni Mitchell: “Every picture has its shadows/And it has some source of light” (from the 1975 song: ‘Shadows and Light’)
What a brilliant line to finish the first poem: ‘The Fishbowl’ - “I think he winked at me!“ This is followed by ‘Woodstock’ one of my favourite songs of hers and, of course, iconic as it is about the Woodstock festival in 1969. 'Tempting', which seems to be an ode to calories, is funny and cleverly written: "Just like Adam, Madam".
And, of course, the brilliant ‘Both Sudes Now’, ‘River’, ‘A Case of You’ and so many more! Beautiful book, drawings and words.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Morning Glory On the Vine: Early songs and Drawings is a beautiful book by Joni Mitchell. It contains colored pen drawings that she made while traveling and performing in the early 1970s, along with handwritten lyrics to some of her early songs. The book itself is a treasure. My copy has thick pages, with excellent reproductions and printing. It took me back to those early 70s when Mitchell’s songs were an important part of my life. My future husband and I met on New Year’s Eve 1970, listening to and discussing Clouds, which is still one of my all time favorite Joni Mitchell albums. We still have the original copy of that album and now have the addition of this very special book to add to our collection.

[Vrinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the reason for this book’s existence a lot: it’s a compilation of drawings and handwritten lyrics Joni Mitchell distributed to friends in the 70s as a Christmas gift. What an amazing gift to give one’s friends. Reading it in a less personal context, now that it’s been more broadly published, it fell a bit short of my hopes. I really liked some of the drawings (calico cat, the dining room scenes in laurel canyon, and the portrait of Georgia o’keefe are among my favorites, and I generally liked the portraits of friends conveying intimacy in casual, relaxed settings). It was nice to read the lyrics of songs I knew in her handwriting, and I was thinking of the tune in my head. The experience of reading lyrics to songs I don’t know wasn’t that engaging. Overall, it was okay.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really rather enjoyed this although the handwriting sometimes made it hard to read, but I adjusted to have fewer issues with that as I got further into it Sometimes I'd really, really like a poem, so would put on the song, and then be a little disappointed that I didn't like the song as much, lol.

Many times I really liked the drawings/artwork as well. What a very creative mind. It's a beautiful book. I endeavor to listen to her off and on as much of it is not really what I typically like
... but I keep trying her on.

[Keam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this at a record store and because it was out at a bagain price I got curious enough to look inside. After that I carried it around the store unde rmy arm so noone would steal the only remaining copy while I shopped. It had me in love at first sight. It's beautiful in the design and contents, and trying to interpet the loopy handwriting only hightens your respect for her fantastic poetry, whether in familiar song sor never before read peoms. If you like pretty things, or music, or Joni, you won't regret getting it. The ultimate coffee table book.

[Juliano · Rating 5 out of 5]

‪“Penelope wants to fuck the sea / Tired of waiting / Tired of the stitches / In her tapestry”...‬ Joni Mitchell’s Morning Glory On The Vine is a staggeringly beautiful artefact, a reproduction of a “Christmas Book” she lovingly assembled for friends in 1971, comprising some of her trademark gorgeous drawings, handwritten lyrics from across her first five albums, as well as some other lyrics/poems. It’s a fascinating insight into Mitchell’s craft and process and a stunning work of art in its own right, and the perfect antidote to a grey winter morning.‬‬‬

[Clay Bryce · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am a huge fan of Joni's and I'd always heard about this book but figured I would never get to read it. Well I did. Or rather, I tried to. Maybe it's my 50 year old eyes or maybe it was Joni's curlicue handwriting but there were many pages where I had trouble reading clearly all the words to her poems and songs included in this book. I did enjoy looking at her artwork though. She made those magic marker drawings come alive for me. I'm serious.

[Tharen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely compendium of Joni Mitchell illustrations and lyrics from 1971, when she put it together for a Christmas present for friends. The drawings illustrate and illuminate the poetry that is handwritten on the page. Many of her well-known early songs are included here, including some that I didn't recognize and I have every early Mitchell album. Lovely addition to Mitchell's works.

[Anneli Waara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Extra poäng för det fina utförandet. Vacker bok. Tjockt papper och Jonis fina målningar med sångtexter och handskriven poesi. Vissa texter lyckades jag inte fånga, andra kände jag väl igen. En ung Joni, med tankar om kärlen, livet, vänner, tankar i vardagen och berömmelse i vardande. Högläsning hjälpte till att fånga rytmen. Genom sin poesi får musiken den så välkända rytmen.