About the song
In the world of music, there are few songs that have stood the test of time as beautifully as “Turn! Turn! Turn!”, also known as “To Everything There Is a Season”. Written by the legendary Pete Seeger in 1959, this iconic song has been a beacon of hope and peace for generations of music lovers. With its roots in the biblical Book of Ecclesiastes, the song’s lyrics offer a profound message of balance and harmony in the world.
The song’s origins date back to 1962, when it was first released by the folk group the Limeliters, and later by Seeger himself on his album “The Bitter and the Sweet”. However, it was the American folk rock group the Byrds who brought the song to international fame in 1965, with their adaptation reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Since then, “Turn! Turn! Turn!” has become a beloved classic, with its message of peace and unity resonating with people of all ages.
The song’s lyrics, taken from the Book of Ecclesiastes, are a poignant reminder that there is a time and place for everything in life. From birth and death, to love and hate, war and peace, the song presents a powerful plea for balance and harmony in the world. Seeger’s own contribution to the lyrics, the closing line “a time for peace, I swear it’s not too late”, adds a sense of urgency and hope to the song’s message.
Over the years, “Turn! Turn! Turn!” has become a cultural phenomenon, with its influence extending beyond the world of music. In 1999, Seeger donated a significant portion of the song’s royalties to the Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions, a testament to his commitment to social justice. The song has also been recognized for its unique place in popular music, as one of the few instances where a large portion of the Bible has been set to music.
In this article, we will delve deeper into the history and significance of “Turn! Turn! Turn!”, exploring its origins, its impact on popular culture, and its enduring message of peace and unity. We will also examine the song’s unique place in the world of music, and its influence on generations of musicians and music lovers. Join us on this journey into the world of “Turn! Turn! Turn!”, a song that continues to inspire and uplift us to this day.
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Lyrics
To everything, turn, turn, turn
There is a season, turn, turn, turn
And a time to every purpose under heaven
A time to be born, a time to die
A time to plant, a time to reap
A time to kill, a time to heal
A time to laugh, a time to weep
To everything, turn, turn, turn
There is a season, turn, turn, turn
And a time to every purpose, under heaven
A time to build up, a time to break down
A time to dance, a time to mourn
A time to cast away stones
A time to gather stones together
To everything, turn, turn, turn
There is a season, turn, turn, turn
And a time to every purpose under heaven
A time of love, a time of hate
A time of war, a time of peace
A time you may embrace
A time to refrain from embracing
To everything, turn, turn, turn
There is a season, turn, turn, turn
And a time to every purpose under heaven
A time to gain, a time to lose
A time to rend, a time to sew
A time for love, a time for hate
A time for peace, I swear it’s not too late