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.
Did you know the lyrics from “Turn, Turn, Turn” might be the oldest of any of the songs on the list? Pete Seeger actually borrowed them from the Bible (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8). The message is that there is a time for everything, so do things in their due time…and be patient. Again we have the Byrds adapting a folk song and making it into a Rock song in order to gain a wider audience. Before, we saw them do that with My Back Pages by Bob Dylan.
“Turn Turn Turn” has all the signature hallmarks of a Byrds song. The blended melodies with no signature lead singer. The unique guitar sound created by Roger McGuin’s 12-string Rickenbacher- who would go on to be more famous for his work with The Band. And of course, it is a cover. The Byrds could never break through with a transcendent hit of their own to rivals their covers (the closest the got was Eight Miles High). Still, there sound is so unique and influential that we remember their contributions highly.
Turn, Turn, Turn 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.
Songwriters: Peter Seeger