“Turn! Turn! Turn!” is one of the most enduring protest and folk anthems of the 20th century, with a message that feels timeless and universal. Written by folk legend Pete Seeger in the late 1950s, the song takes nearly all of its lyrics directly from the Book of Ecclesiastes in the Bible, adding only the closing plea: “a time for peace, I swear it’s not too late.” With this simple addition, Seeger transformed scripture into a resonant call for peace during a turbulent era.
The song was first recorded in 1959 by Seeger himself, though it didn’t rise to major prominence until the mid-1960s. Its most famous version came from The Byrds in 1965, when their jangly electric guitars and soaring harmonies turned it into a No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. This rendition captured the spirit of the 1960s counterculture and became one of the defining songs of the decade, blending biblical poetry with folk-rock energy.
The success of The Byrds’ version sparked a wave of covers around the world. In 1966, Australian folk-pop group The Seekers released their own take on the song, highlighting their signature harmonies and clean, uplifting style. Their version leaned closer to traditional folk than rock, showing how the song could be reimagined across different genres and still retain its universal message.
Other notable interpretations include Judy Collins’ haunting folk performance, Nina Simone’s soulful reading, and Dolly Parton’s country rendition in the 1980s on The Grass Is Blue. Bruce Springsteen has also performed it live, amplifying its protest roots, while later acts such as Mary Hopkin and Wilson Phillips added fresh dimensions for new generations of listeners.
The enduring power of “Turn! Turn! Turn!” lies in its simplicity and universality. Whether sung in a church, at a protest, or on a pop radio station, the song reminds listeners that life moves in cycles, and that the pursuit of peace is always timely. It remains one of Pete Seeger’s greatest gifts to the world: a protest song with roots in scripture, yet a resonance that spans cultures, decades, and genres.
Pete Seeger (1959)
The Byrds {1965)
The Seekers (1966)
Nina Simone (1968)
Dolly Parton (1984)
Judy Collins (1964)
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