In the mid 1970s, Chapin focused on social activism, including raising money to combat hunger in the United States and co-founding the organization World Hunger Year, before returning to music with On the Road to Kingdom Come. He also released a book of poetry, Looking...Seeing, in 1977.
His fellow Long Islanders loved him for his support of local artists, as well. He and his wife Sandy raised funds for the Performing Arts Foundation, a now-defunct local theatre group. They also supported the Long Island Ballet. The band shell at Huntington's Hecksher Park is named for Harry Chapin.
Chapin died on July 16, 1981 in an automobile accident on the Long Island Expressway at the age of 38. He was headed west from Huntington Bay, where he lived with his wife and three children, to perform a concert in Eisenhower Park in Nassau County when his car was struck by a truck. An autopsy showed that he had suffered a heart attack, but it could not be determined whether that occurred before or after the collision. Supermarkets General, the owner of the truck, paid $12 million in the ensuing litigation.
Circle
Harry Chapin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sunrise and sundown;
Moon rolls through the nighttime;
'Til the daybreak comes around.
All my life's a circle;
But I can't tell you why;
Season's spinning round again;
It seems like I've been here before;
I can't remember when;
But I have this funny feeling;
That we'll all be together again.
No straight lines make up my life;
And all my roads have bends;
There's no clear-cut beginnings;
And so far no dead-ends.
[Chorus]
I found you a thousand times;
I guess you done the same;
But then we lose each other;
It's like a children's game;
As I find you here again;
A thought runs through my mind;
Our love is like a circle;
Let's go 'round one more time.
[Chorus]
The song "Circle" by Harry Chapin is a reflective and introspective piece that speaks to the cyclical nature of life. The first stanza sets the tone for the song, noting that all of life is a circle, with each day beginning and ending at sunrise and sundown. Even the moon rolls through the night, completing its own circular journey. Despite this observation, the singer cannot explain why this is so, and the seasons continue to spin around them as the years go by.
The second stanza reveals a feeling of deja vu, as if the singer has been in this same moment before. While they can't quite place it, there's a sense of comfort in the realization that they will likely experience this moment again in the future. The lines "No straight lines make up my life; And all my roads have bends" suggests that the singer has lived a non-linear life, one that doesn't necessarily have a clear-cut path or purpose. Yet, they haven't reached any dead-ends either, implying that they are content to keep moving forward on this circular journey.
The chorus of the song reflects on the idea of lost relationships and reconnecting with lost loves. The singer notes that they have found the person they are singing to a thousand times before, and vice versa. Yet, they always seem to drift apart again, as if they're playing a children's game of hide and seek. Despite this, as the singer finds the person again in this moment, they realize that their love is itself a circle, one that keeps bringing them back together, and they suggest they go around it one more time.
Line by Line Meaning
All my life's a circle;
Life is a never-ending cycle.
Sunrise and sundown;
The day starts and ends.
Moon rolls through the nighttime;
Time passes by.
'Til the daybreak comes around.
Until the start of a new day.
All my life's a circle;
Life is a never-ending cycle.
But I can't tell you why;
It's hard to explain why.
Season's spinning round again;
Seasons come and go repeatedly.
The years keep rollin' by.
Time keeps passing.
It seems like I've been here before;
Feels familiar.
I can't remember when;
Can't recall the exact moment.
But I have this funny feeling;
An unusual sensation.
That we'll all be together again.
We'll be reunited someday.
No straight lines make up my life;
Life has twists and turns.
And all my roads have bends;
My paths are not straightforward.
There's no clear-cut beginnings;
Starts are not clear.
And so far no dead-ends.
Paths have not yet come to a conclusion.
I found you a thousand times;
I've met you many times.
I guess you done the same;
You've done the same with me.
But then we lose each other;
We separate.
It's like a children's game;
Like playing hide-and-seek.
As I find you here again;
I've found you once more.
A thought runs through my mind;
An idea strikes me.
Our love is like a circle;
Our affection is like a cycle.
Let's go 'round one more time.
Let's experience it again.
Lyrics © HARRY CHAPIN FOUNDATION
Written by: HARRY CHAPIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@sasquatchprime
I dont mind my life circling around as long as it keeps bringing me back to Harry's music. What a gift he was to us all.
@mole62ssf
My husband died in September of 2012. He often sends me songs. I know they're from him because the song will be playing in my head upon waking for the day. This morning it was this wonderful one from my teens. At least I guess that's when I first heard it. Forty-five years or so ago. All I could remember was the chorus, which I sang all while preparing breakfast. Anytime Aric sends me a song, I sit down with coffee and breakfast, find the song, then listen to it while I post it on Facebook. How perfect these lyrics! Harry Chapin. <3 One of the finest storytellers of my lifetime.
@michaelthompson2824
So sorry you lost your husband. I am a music fanatic who is in bad health. I have told my wife when I die I will send her a different song everyday to let he know I miss her.
@mole62ssf
@lisa gaye Thank you for bringing your beautiful thoughts into a glum day. <3
@irenewalters6360
Yes believe in the message. What a wonderful song from Harry to send to you.
@zsie1
This song goes back nearly 40 years for me. At coffee houses during college, two friends would always play this song and everyone there would join in, month after month over 4 years. That was my introduction to Harry Chapin. Been a fan ever since.
@paulisaac78
Sounds really special! Just like Harry was!
@chess359
I can't get through this song without crying. Just beautiful.
@johnnyhester9106
Harry was the greatest
@tonijanke
Beautiful song! Circles are sacred, divine and eternal. Thanks for the gift of music Harry Chaplin - you inspired my music. 💕🌸💫