Turn, Turn, Turn

Judy Collins and Pete Seeger in the ’60s.

Turn Turn Turn was written by American folk artist Pete Seeger in 1959. Inspired by the message of Ecclesiastes 3:1 from the King James version of the Bible, Seeger set King Solomon’s moving words to music adding only the final line; The Byrds scored a huge hit with it in 1965 and Judy Collins has been performing it live for nearly 50 years.

Reference: Wikipedia.org

RIGHT-CLICK TO DOWNLOAD LYRICS WITH CHORD CHART in D

Here’s the original recording by The Byrds:

Judy Collins sings it in Ab (capo the 6th Fret, play in D family):

Here’s a copy of Pete Seeger’s version:




Turn, Turn, Turn

Written by Pete Seeger 1959

Sing this chorus at the beginning, between each verse, and at the end:

(To every)thing, turn, turn, turn
There is a season, turn, turn, turn
And a time to every purpose, under Heaven

1
(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

2
(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

3
(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

4
(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