We May Never Pass This Way Again by Seals & Crofts

Album: Diamond Girl (1973)

Charted: 21

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Songfacts®:

This song calls on people to show courage and continue to stand with one another, partly because they may never see each other again. Written by the duo, it's an example of their strong convictions to Abdul Baha and the Baha'i faith. They made a pilgrimage to Haifa, Israel, where they studied the teachings of the faith, and often based their lyrics on themes of compassion and devotion. >>>
Suggestion credit:
Mike - Santa Barbara, CA
When Seals & Crofts starting touring again in the early '90s, Seals was hesitant to resurrect this tune because of its reference to Christopher Columbus as a courageous figure. Back in the '70s, the songwriters were ignorant of the Italian explorer's brutality against indigenous Americans.

"The song was written a long time ago, and when I went to school, I was taught that Columbus was a good guy," Seals told the Los Angeles Times in 1991. "I never really stopped to think about the controversy that's developed over him recently. The song wasn't intended to glorify a slave owner, it was addressing the kind of courage it took for him to go out at a time when they thought the world was flat. Whether they did it for greed or ignorance or whatever, they did it. Now we'll have to change the lyrics. God knows, I know the Indians and aboriginal peoples are the backbone of the world, and it was not intended to belittle them in any way."
This was used on the Netflix TV series Ozark in the 2018 episode "Game Day."

Comments: 8

John from Marianna, FlThis song was dedicated as our Senior class song. Great lyrics with much truth. Many of us have never passed this way again.
Ilona Wawzysko Moffatt from Winston Salem,ncThis is my class song for 1974 at Eisenhower High School in Michigan-The lyrics are so beautiful and powerful and true-We may never pass this way again-Please show love to all you know…Always
Lanning from Tyngsborough, MaThe song brings back memories of my senior year in college, for personal reasons, good memories.
Dave from Billerica, MaThis song brings me back to my childhood. I liked it then, but now I love it, for the music and the message. I love the three distinctive styles within the song. It starts like a country/folk song, than morphs into a mellow early 70s R&B thing, then goes blues in the middle section. I learned how to play this song and the chords are very interesting.
Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn November 16th 1973, Seals and Crofts performed "We May Never Pass This Way (Again)" on the syndicated television program 'Don Kirshner's Rock Concert'...
At the time the song was at #21 on Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart; and that was its peak position on the chart {for 1 week}, it spent a total of 12 weeks on the Top 100...
And on Nov. 4th, 1973 reached #2 {for 1 week} on Billboard's Adult Contemporary Tracks chart {the week it was at #2, the #1 record was "The Most Beautiful Girl" by Charlie Rich}...
Between September 1972 and September 1978 the duo had twelve Top 100 records; three made the Top 10 and all three peaked at #6, "Summer Breeze" for 2 weeks in 1972, "Diamond Girl" for 2 weeks in 1973, and "Get Closer"* for 2 weeks in 1976...
* The 45 RPM record label read "Get Closer (featuring Carolyn Willis)."
Camille from Toronto, OhI think the title/chorus of the song may have been gleaned from the popular quote: I shall pass through this life but once. Any good therefore that I can do, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it. For I shall never pass this way again. ~Etienne de Grellet. The song has a beautiful, timeless message. There should be a few more 'song facts' up there detailing more about this tune.
Lou from Oak Ridge, NjThis song reminds me of a time back in 1975 that I spent with a very special person. When I hear it now I stop close my eyes and remember. It was a beautiful time to be young and falling in love with a beautiful girl, it's a beautiful song.
Mar from Houston , TxI love this band and song...
Its very mellow sound....This band music..
is the kind of music ...that if you wanted to be alone and think ...it puts you in the mood

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