Folk Rock Music

The song, with words from the third chapter of the Book of Ecclesiastes from The Bible (that is, Ecclesiastes 3:1-8), was written by folk singer, musician, and political activist Pete Seeger in the late 1950s. It was set to music and recorded in 1962 by The Limeliters as “To Everything There is a Season.” It was recorded in 1963 by Judy Collins, who retitled it to be “Turn! Turn! Turn! (to Everything There is a Season).” In 1965, the cover by The Byrds , an American folk rock band. It went to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, #3 in Canada, and #26 on the U.K. Singles Chart. The song is also included on the 1965 album Turn! Turn! Turn!. Group members at the time were Jim McGuinn, Gene Clark, David Crosby, Chris Hillman, and Michael Clarke.

Here are the lyrics to “Turn! Turn! Turn! (To Everything There is a Season)” by The Byrds:

“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”

For another song by The Byrds: “Mr. Tambourine Man.”

Check Out The Groove Pad for More 1960s Music

The Pass the Paisley Groove Pad is a resting stop, a place to chill out and listen to the featured song on the stereo. If the mood strikes you, click on the juke box to access and listen to the 50+ commercial free online songs there. The TV has several channels, with selections updated twice a week. Every now and then, Pass the Paisley hosts an all-request of 1960s and 1970s songs for a Be-In at the juke box in the Groove Pad. Keep on truckin’. Hope you enjoyed “Turn! Turn! Turn!” by The Byrds.