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The Scriptures in Song

04 November 2023

The King James Bible is the oldest, and perhaps the most unlikely, contributor to a number one hit on theBillboardchart. Its verses can be also be heard in genres as diverse as reggae and country music.

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A passage from the Book of Ecclesiastes (‘To everything there is a season …’) became a 1960s anthem when The Byrds popularised Pete Seeger’s 1959 songTurn! Turn! Turn!Seeger released his own version of it in 1962. The timelessness and popularity of its message have resulted inTurn,Turn, Turnbeing covered by numerous bands and artists ever since. Click on the album cover opposite to listen to the Byrds' version.

Another popular song whose lyrics are based on a passage of scripture isRivers of Babylon(Psalm 137:1-4). First performed by reggae band the Melodians in 1970, it was later popularised by BoneyM (1978) and held No.1 place on the UK charts for 5 weeks.

The KJB has had a great influence of Rastafarian music and is the preferred version as a source of song lyrics.The best known songwriter and performer of reggae music was Bob Marley (1945-81), lead singer and rhythmn guitaist for the bandBob Marley and the Wailers.

In the country music genre, the title song of Johnny Cash's 2002 albumAmerican IV: The Man comes Aroundquotes and has numerous references to the Book of Revelation and the 'Man' who will come to pass judgment.

The Byrds, 'Turn! Turn! Turn!'


  • Taken from Eccelsiastes 3:1.
    'To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven'
  • The closing phrase 'I swear its not too late', added by Seeger, helped make the song into an anthem for world peace in the turbulent years of the 1960s

Bob Marley, 'Judge Not'


  • Biblical references:
    Romans 14:4
    Matthew 7:1-4
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