"Seasons in the Sun '' is an English - language adaptation of the song "Le Moribond '' by Belgian singer - songwriter Jacques Brel with lyrics by American singer - poet Rod McKuen. It became a worldwide hit in 1974 for Canadian singer Terry Jacks and became a Christmas number one in the UK in 1999 for Westlife. Jacks 's version is one of the fewer than forty all - time singles to have sold 10 million copies worldwide.
who sang seasons in the sun before westlife
Rod McKuen Terry Jacks