About the song
Terry Jacks, a Canadian folk singer-songwriter, penned “Seasons in the Sun” as a poignant farewell to a friend who had recently passed away. This heartfelt ballad, released in 1974, became a worldwide hit and a testament to Jacks’ songwriting abilities.
With his distinctive voice and introspective lyrics, Jacks paints a vivid picture of the life and death of his friend. The song explores themes of mortality, friendship, and the fleeting nature of time. Through emotive vocals and evocative imagery, listeners are invited to reflect on their own lives and the importance of cherishing every moment.
The opening lines, “Seasons in the sun, they come and they go,” set the stage for a song that contemplates the passage of time and the inevitability of death. Jacks references the memories he shared with his friend, from childhood adventures to adult struggles. The lyrics evoke a sense of nostalgia and sadness, while also expressing a hope for a peaceful afterlife.
Throughout the song, Jacks uses vivid imagery and relatable anecdotes to illustrate his friend’s life. He references the “old familiar places” they used to visit and the “dreams they shared.” The lyrics convey a sense of loss and regret, while also highlighting the importance of cherishing the time we have with loved ones.
“Seasons in the Sun” is more than just a sad song; it is a testament to the human spirit and the enduring power of friendship. Jacks’ heartfelt lyrics and soulful performance resonate with listeners of all ages, reminding us of the importance of cherishing every moment and living life to the fullest. This timeless classic continues to touch the hearts of audiences worldwide, serving as a reminder that even in the face of loss, there is always hope for a brighter future.
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Lyrics
Goodbye to you, my trusted friend
We’ve known each other since we were nine or ten
Together we’ve climbed hills and trees
Learned of love and ABCs
Skinned our hearts and skinned our knees
Goodbye my friend, it’s hard to die
When all the birds are singing in the sky
Now that the spring is in the air
Pretty girls are everywhere
Think of me and I’ll be there
We had joy, we had fun
We had seasons in the sun
But the hills that we climbed
Were just seasons out of time
Goodbye Papa, please pray for me
I was the black sheep of the family
You tried to teach me right from wrong
Too much wine and too much song
Wonder how I got along
Goodbye Papa it’s hard to die
When all the birds are singing in the sky
Now that the spring is in the air
Little children everywhere
When you see them, I’ll be there
We had joy, we had fun
We had seasons in the sun
But the wine and the song
Like the seasons have all gone
We had joy, we had fun
We had seasons in the sun
But the wine and the song
Like the seasons have all gone
Goodbye Michelle, my little one
You gave me love and helped me find the sun
And every time that I was down
You would always come around
And get my feet back on the ground
Goodbye Michelle, it’s hard to die
When all the birds are singing in the sky
Now that the spring is in the air
With the flowers everywhere
I wish that we could both be there
We had joy, we had fun
We had seasons in the sun
But the stars we could reach
Were just starfish on the beach
We had joy, we had fun
We had seasons in the sun
But the stars we could reach
Were just starfish on the beach
We had joy, we had fun
We had seasons in the sun
But the wine and the song
Like the seasons have all gone
All our lives we had fun
We had seasons in the sun
But the hills that we climbed
Were just seasons out of time
We had joy, we had fun