Seasons in the sun... meaning of lyrics question

[Julie Andrews]

Does anyone know what the meaning to this song is?


Seasons In The Sun
(by Terry Jacks )

Goodbye to you my trusted friend
We've known each other since we were nine or ten
Together we climbed hills and trees
Learned of love and A B C's
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 its 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
We had seasons in the sun



http://www.filelodge.com/files/room4...%20%281%29.mp3

[Boo Radley]

I love listening to that song and I cherish its lyrics. Many artists sang Terry Jacks’ “Seasons in the Sun” including Cat Stevens, Westlife, Nirvana, The Mamas & the Papas and Blink 182. My favourite is Westlife’s version. I added several ones for you to listen to:

Terry Jacks
Westlife
Blink 182
Cat Stevens
Nirvana

but the beauty of this song is in its lyrics. It’s a very sad song and I’ve always wondered what it actually means. This is my amateur thoughts of the meaning. He’s saying good bye to all his loved ones, which indicates that he probably hasn’t lost a beloved one (although that might still be an explanation). So I’m guessing he’s leaving them and going somewhere… somewhere far… but it sounds like he’ll never see them again… so is he dead? is this his soul? The meaning of that song has always bewildered me and I’d love to find out what it means.

[Julie Andrews]

i wondered if the person who wrote it was dying and this was his way to say goodbye.

[Julie Andrews]

Boo, I just got through listening to the diff versions.
I think Cat Stephens is my fav one.
Thanks for posting them.

[Rebecca]

It's a great song. I also thought about its meaning... I believe the person is saying farewell to all the loved ones, perhaps they're going their separate ways

[Boo Radley]

sad

[dawnikus]

Wonder if our resident Music Lover has any idea on this?

[anisa]

i catch myself singing this sometimes, used to lissen to a lot of hippie folky music when I was little (thanks mom)
one of my faves is still hurdy gurdy man, and I've been singing puff the magic dragon to my kid.
as for the lyrics of this one, the person is dying, and telling loved ones to find him in the new life they see around them, to remember him that way

[anisa]

Oh, and Julie Andrews...
the sound of music is my very favourite movie of all time, I hate it when I miss it on TV, I know all the words to all the songs.
I'm a hardrocker chick, but I can't help it
"Doe a deer, a female deer, ray a drop of golden suuuuuuun"

[annaapple]

This is one of my favorite songs; but, it is definitely a sad song. I feel it is about someone that is either dying; or, has already died; and, is telling everyone that touched their life goodbye. Just my opinion.

[wantinlovin]

My opinion is a person is saying good bye after many years together...and when they were together, in his mind, the sun was always shining. She was his sunshine......

[wantinlovin]

Did I mention that I really love the song........thx for reminding me of it

[Skippy]

The song was based on "Le moribond" (English: "The Dying Man"), written by Jacques Brel in 1961 and released on his fifth album titled 5. Brel's song was translated into English by poet Rod McKuen and this version was first recorded by Bob Shane of the Kingston Trio, but it did not sell. The Beach Boys also recorded the song but it was never released.<SUP class=reference id=cite_ref-super70s_0-0>[1]</SUP>
Terry Jacks, who had participated in the Beach Boys recording, and who had in fact introduced the song to the group,<SUP class=reference id=cite_ref-super70s_0-1>[1]</SUP> rewrote part of the lyrics to "lighten them up." Jacks' revisions tended to add a bit of ambiguity as to the nature of the storyteller's demise, allowing listeners the option to choose whether the death is by execution; from suicide over a failed life - quite possibly to escape drug addiction; or from natural causes. References to a cheating wife were also removed. A comparison is given below. Jacks' recording included a recurring, reverb-drenched guitar riff that many sources attribute to Link Wray.

[ScotchandBoots]

I did a bit of research, too. Skippy's post gave us the info on the actual composer. This little tidbit may reveal the reason he wrote the song:

"Seasons in the Sun" is the story of a dying man, bidding farewell to loved ones who have shared his life. Shortly before Terry's recording came out, Jacques Brel retired, at the peak of his popularity. Fans around the world were stunned, but the composer would give no reason. Finally, the truth was revealed. After a quiet, six-year battle against cancer, Brel succumbed to the disease and died, on October 9, 1978.

[Littlemoe0]

I love that song, thanks for posting the lyrics, and the explanation.
Has anyone seen the movie? I did some time ago, and can't really remember it.