Turn turn turn

Mar 12, 2017 | Welcome Column

(EDITOR’S NOTE–Last Friday we in inadvertently posted Cliff’s Welcome column and omitted the first paragraph.  To remedy the situation we’ve re-posting the entire article this morning.  RC)

Pete Seeger wrote a song some years back, that had some level of success. I assume he had to share the royalties with king Solomon who wrote the original in the book of Ecclesiastes in the bible.
I saw Chris Hillman  with Herb Pedersen some years back at the great 48 in Bakersfield, and I remember him saying, before he played this song, (which was a big hit for the byrds in the early  seventies ) that it was the only top ten song that had it’s text taken from the bible.
Now I know these columns are not supposed to be religious or political so I guess I’m pushing at the edge a bit, however this song has been running through my mind since the election and it helps me maintain perspective on the state of our country.  I’m not telling you nothing you don’t know when I say we are living in a divided country, more so than at anytime I remember in my lifetime.
The song says,”

Turn Turn Turn
Pete Seeger
To everything – turn, turn, turn
There is a season – turn, turn, turn
And a time to 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 to 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 to every purpose under heaven
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
To everything – turn, turn, turn
There is a season – turn, turn, turn
And a time to every purpose under heaven
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!

One of the things I’ve always loved about the bluegrass community, is the fact that, though it is composed of every religion, creed, political persuasion, age, and race, we are bonded by the same love of the music. Some prefer  ninety mile an hour bluegrass, some have a preference for a more country feel, some like it old time, some like it to swing, whatever…but it’s all within the framework of the music we love. And we care for each other, and look forward to each others company and have a closeness that is hard to explain to those who have never picked in a parking lot.

On social media, we get a deeper feel for the bedrock beliefs of those in these circles, and whatever your political persuasion, I’ll guarantee that those beliefs will leave cause some members jaws to drop, and others to shout a hearty amen, and sometimes those posts seems incomprehensible and can actually damage friendships and change the course of the connections we have to each other.

and I’m thinking abut this song… A time to laugh, a time of peace, a time to dance, a time to love, a time to embrace. Those are the times a want.
There is enough opportunities to mourn, to hate, to  break down, to weep and to die.  I don’t want to be looking at my friends through that pair of glasses.

I guess at this time in our country, we’ve got an opportunity to build or to break down.
as the song says,  A time for peace, I swear it’s not too late.

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