The lyrics of which 1965 folk-rock hit came from the Book of Ecclesiastes and who recording it?

The powerful and poetic words of this classic song are drawn almost directly from the third chapter of the Book of Ecclesiastes in the King James Bible. Folk music legend Pete Seeger adapted the ancient text in the late 1950s, setting the verses about the different seasons and cycles of human life to music. He added the titular refrain and the final plea for peace, but the vast majority of the lyrics are scripture that is thousands of years old.

While Seeger wrote and first recorded the song, it was the Los Angeles band The Byrds who turned it into a number one international hit in 1965. Their version became a defining anthem of the emerging folk-rock movement, blending Seeger's acoustic sensibilities with their signature jangling 12-string electric guitar sound. This recording propelled the ancient words to the top of the pop charts and into the mainstream consciousness.

The song’s message of balance and its hopeful conclusion resonated deeply with a generation grappling with social change and the escalating Vietnam War. By transforming a biblical passage into a chart-topping rock song, The Byrds created an enduring cultural touchstone that perfectly captured the spirit of its time.