Terry Jacks did not write it or translate it. Jacques Brel wrote "Le Moribond" in French. It was a song from a dying man to his unfaithful wife and friends. Rod McKuen translated it into English as "Seasons in the Sun". This translation was covered by four or five bands including The Kingston Trio. Terry Jacks changed the last verse without permission, taking out the references to adultery.
As for why the narator is dying, ever since i was small i've thought it was written from the perspective of a man in a cell, condemned to death (deprived of the joys of spring and "black sheep of the family").
Lovely song.
Terry Jacks did not write it or translate it. Jacques Brel wrote "Le Moribond" in French. It was a song from a dying man to his unfaithful wife and friends. Rod McKuen translated it into English as "Seasons in the Sun". This translation was covered by four or five bands including The Kingston Trio. Terry Jacks changed the last verse without permission, taking out the references to adultery. As for why the narator is dying, ever since i was small i've thought it was written from the perspective of a man in a cell, condemned to death (deprived of the joys of spring and "black sheep of the family"). Lovely song.