The lyrics are taken almost verbatim from the King James version of the Bible, Ecclesiastes 3:1. The Biblical text states there is a time and place for all things: laughter and sorrow, healing and killing, war and peace, and so on. The lines are open to many interpretations, but as a song they are commonly performed as a plea for world peace, with stress on the closing line: "a time for peace, I swear it's not too late." The latter phrase and the title phrase "Turn! Turn! Turn!" are the only parts of the lyric written by Seeger himself.
The Byrds have the most successful recorded version of the song as the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 #1 hit single , released in October 1965 (b/w "She Don't Care About Time" Columbia 43424). In December, it became the title song to the group's second studio album "Turn! Turn! Turn!". Nearly three decades after the Byrds released the song as a single, the recording was featured prominently in the 1994 movie Forrest Gump. The song was also featured in Jim Sheridan's 2002 film, In America, although it was not included on the official soundtrack. The Byrds' version distinguishes the song as the #1 pop hit with the oldest lyrics, dating back to the Book of Ecclesiastes. Many biblical scholars believe Ecclesiastes 1:1 implies King Solomon as the book's author; thus, if true, giving Solomon lyrical credit for a number one hit!
After Joe Cocker's cover of "With a Little Help from My Friends", the song was the first to play on the first episode of the television series The Wonder Years. It was also used in a Wonder Years parody in an episode of The Simpsons, "Three Men and a Comic Book".
The song has been covered by a great number of other artists. Here are a few of the notables: The Seekers recorded the song for their 1966 album โGeorgy Girlโ; Dolly Parton covered this on her 1984 album of cover songs โThe Great Pretenderโ, and again in 2005 on โThose Were The Daysโ; Singer and pianist Nina Simone recorded two versions of the song, one of which was released on her album โTo Love Somebodyโ, (1969).
Turn! Turn! Turn!
The Byrds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
The song "Turn! Turn! Turn!" is a poignant reminder that life is cyclical, with every joy often followed by sorrow, every beginning by an end, and every growth by decay. The lyrics draw inspiration from the biblical Book of Ecclesiastes, which states that "to everything, there is a season and a time to every purpose under the heaven." The song suggests that everything in life is governed by seasons, including love, war, peace, birth, death, planting, reaping, mourning, dancing, and building up or breaking down of things. Each action or event is necessary, despite the conflicts and contradictions that may arise between them.
The song commands listeners to acknowledge the changing nature of life and embrace it. It also encourages them to have faith in the continuity of the universe and the cyclical nature of existence. Even when things are at their lowest, the song suggests that there will always be another season of hope and a chance to rebuild.
Overall, "Turn! Turn! Turn!" is an emotionally potent message that resonates beyond its religious sources and continues to inspire generations of listeners to live with hope and understanding even amid chaos and strife.
Line by Line Meaning
To everything (turn, turn, turn)
Every aspect of life goes through cycles of change and transformation
There is a season (turn, turn, turn)
There is a period of time for each stage of life
And a time to every purpose, under heaven
Each stage of life has its own meaning and purpose
A time to be born, a time to die
Birth and death so are natural part of life cycle, we should respect the natural phenomenon.
A time to plant, a time to reap
A season for seed sowing and another for harvesting the crops.
A time to kill, a time to heal
Sometimes we must let go of our old selves in order to grow in another direction.
A time to laugh, a time to weep
Happiness and sadness are all part of the human experience
A time to build up, a time to break down
Change is inevitable, and sometimes it involves the destruction of the old.
A time to dance, a time to mourn
There is a time for celebration and a time for grieving.
A time to cast away stones, a time to gather stones together
Life is full of fluctuations of opposing forces, we should learn to adapt to these changes.
A time of love, a time of hate
There is a time for people to come together and a time where they may need to separate
A time of war, a time of peace
Change also involves a time for conflict and a time for resolutions
A time you may embrace, a time to refrain from embracing
It's crucial to recognize the appropriate setting to express affection to others.
A time to gain, a time to lose
Just like the back and forth of the tide, life also consists of up and down.
A time to rend, a time to sew
Life is a cycle of death and rebirth.
A time for love, a time for hate
Human emotions are complex and can change without warning.
A time for peace, I swear it's not too late
Even if we have experienced conflict and suffering, it is never too late to pursue harmony and healing.
Lyrics ยฉ Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Peter Seeger
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@pgamezp2112
Turn turn turn.
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
Saludos
@amitdaswani6922
At 96 years I still enjoy listening to this masterpiece
@merydenseaver8577
โฅ๏ธ
@roarroar4316
God damn
@TheBigMclargehuge
Before or after Jello and a nap
@kchmyy
Damn.. u still alive.
@juncojudd417
Respek. You've seen a lot.
@darrylribet6586
While 17 years old in the United States Marine Corps, we lost 49 younger heroes in one day, and at the memory service this song was played,that was almost 50 years ago and I never every forget the words to this song. It pretty much explains everything, and at 65 it has so much meaning, thank you for your music and talent
@dylannnnnnnnn
Thank you for your service sir.
@andriesvisser2328
Salute brave man! I also served in the Armed Forces during 1975 in Namibia understand your pain.very well.
@LOLHAMMER45678
Beirut 1983?