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| Songwriter Pete Seeger (1919-2014). |
As we begin to wind down this series (until interest warrants, at least) we look at one of the masters.
Pete Seeger came from a family of artists, including an uncle, Alan Seeger (1888 - 1916), who wrote "I Have a Rendezvous with Death" before being one of the first American fatalities of WWI.
I have a rendezvous with Death
At some disputed barricade,
When Spring comes back with rustling shade
And apple-blossoms fill the air—
I have a rendezvous with Death
When Spring brings back blue days and fair.
It may be he shall take my hand
And lead me into his dark land
And close my eyes and quench my breath—
It may be I shall pass him still.
I have a rendezvous with Death
On some scarred slope of battered hill,
When Spring comes round again this year
And the first meadow-flowers appear.
God knows ‘twere better to be deep
Pillowed in silk and scented down,
Where love throbs out in blissful sleep,
Pulse nigh to pulse, and breath to breath,
Where hushed awakenings are dear...
But I’ve a rendezvous with Death
At midnight in some flaming town,
When Spring trips north again this year,
And I to my pledged word am true,
I shall not fail that rendezvous.
To say that every modern lyricist owes a debt to Peter Seeger would be an understatement.
"Turn! Turn! Turn!" was written in the 1950s, released in 1962 and became a hit in 1965. Of course, the lyrics should be credited to Ecclesiastes 3:1-8. From Wikipedia:
The song is notable for being one of a few instances in popular music in which a large portion of the Bible is set to music, other examples being The Melodians' "Rivers of Babylon", Sister Janet Mead's "The Lord's Prayer", U2's "40" and Cliff Richard's "The Millennium Prayer".
Many have covered the song, including Mary Hopkin , The Seekers, Judy Collins, with and without Seeger. Most are familiar with the Byrds' version:
Here is the original:
Lyrics:
To everything - turn, turn, turn
There is a season - turn, turn, turn
And a time for 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 for 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 for every purpose under heaven
A time of war, a time of peace
A time of love, a time of hate
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 for every purpose under heaven
A time to gain, a time to lose
A time to rend, a time to sew
A time to love, a time to hate
A time of peace, I swear it's not too late!
