Page type: lyric reference
Artist: Pete Seeger
Canonical path: /pete-seeger/wasn-t-that-a-time
Related lyric paths: 6
Lyric guide
Wasn't That A Time
Read Wasn't That A Time lyrics by Pete Seeger on LyroVerse, with linked artist context and related song paths.
person
Curated by Ethan Walker
LyroVerse team
Reference snapshot
The page facts to cite before the commentary
Use this page for the lyric text, linked artist context, and any LyroVerse editor's note attached to the song. Listener comments remain user-generated and should not be treated as the primary source.
Lyrics
Wasn't That A Time
The lyric stays readable and compact here; the note and related paths sit nearby so you do not lose the song while looking for context.
Our fathers bled at Valley Forge.
The snow was red with blood,
Their faith was warm at Valley Forge,
Their faith was brotherhood.
[Chorus:]
Wasn't that a time, wasn't that a time,
A time to try the soul of man,
Wasn't that a terrible time?
Brave men who died at Gettysburg
Now lie in soldier's graves,
But there they stemmed the slavery tide,
And there the faith was saved.
[Chorus]
The fascists came with chains and war
To prison us in hate.
And many a good man fought and died
To save the stricken faith.
[Chorus]
And now again the madmen come,
And should our vic'try fail?
There is no vic'try in a land
Where free men go to jail.
Isn't this a time!
Isn't this a time!
A time to try the soul of man,
Isn't this a terrible time?
Our faith cries out we have no fear
We dare to reach our hand
To other neighbors far and near
To friends in every land.
Isn't this a time!
Isn't this a time!
A time to free the soul of man!
Isn't this a wonderful time!
[Two additional verses written by Lee Hays and sung at the 1980 Weavers reunion:]
How many times we've gone to kill
In freedom's holy name.
And children died to save the pride
Of rulers without shame.
Informers took their Judas pay
To tell their sorry tale
And gangs in Congress had their way
And free souls went to jail.
Quick answers
What this page can answer fast
Who performs "Wasn't That A Time"?
Pete Seeger performs "Wasn't That A Time", and this lyric page sits inside the Pete Seeger catalog on LyroVerse.
Are there related songs to explore after "Wasn't That A Time"?
Yes. The related section below points to Teacher Uncle Ho and Garden Song with a short reason for opening each page next.
Where can I find more songs by Pete Seeger?
Use the artist link near the top of the page or the related paths section below to keep moving through Pete Seeger's lyric pages.
Song Room
Open Song Room
Interpretations, questions, and corrections for this song
Interpretations, questions, memories, and correction notes live together here. The room stays noindex while the best insights are reviewed.
Listener comments
What people are saying
No listener comments on Wasn't That A Time yet.
A strong comment here is specific: the phrase you keep hearing, the mood you come back for, or the reason this song stays in rotation.
Sign in to post the first listener note. Reporting stays open to everyone.