Turn, Turn, Turn

The verse Turn Turn Turn, adapted by Pete Seeger (made famous by The Byrds) from Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 in Old Testament, has always moved and intrigued me with its practical wisdom. It is reassuring to be reminded that for everything there is a time and a place and that life is full of ebbs and flows.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 comes from the reflections of a philosopher known as The Preacher. The tone he sets and the somewhat cynical view in later v turnturnturn erses are very different from any other in the Bible.

I debated putting this in 'Philosopher's Corner' because in the rest of the passage Ecclesiastes discusses his views on the meaning of life.

For social activist Pete Seeger, the poem/song both talks about a time and place for every purpose, and makes a plea for world peace. He illustrates this in the closing line where he added, "A time for peace I swear it's not too late".

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 sow.
A time for love, a time for hate.
A time for peace, I swear it's not too late.

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