“The Carnival is Over” by The Seekers

The Seekers’ “The Carnival is Over” is actually based on a Russian folk song. And the narrative of said piece takes place largely on a river. That is perhaps why there is a reference to a “harbor light” featured therein. 

But for the most part, the lyrics are symbolic anyway. And most practically speaking, what this song is about is the vocalist being heartbroken due to her romantic relationship with the addressee having come to an end. That is what Judith means when she says “the carnival is over”. In other words, the title is a metaphor for a couple, in this case the singer and addressee, having broken up.

And there really isn’t much more to this song beyond that. Or let’s say that the singer does a convincing job of putting forth that she is in fact heartbroken and will miss her now ex. And the reason she is referring to their romance as a “carnival” would evidently be because, when it was active, it was quite enjoyable. 

In fact the philosophy behind this song reads as “the joys of love are fleeting”. Or as one of The Seekers’ contemporaries, Wendy Rene, had once sang, ‘after (the) laughter’ of being in love ‘comes the tears’.

The Seekers

The Seekers are a band from the land down under that is still technically active to this day. However, their studio discography is by and large confined to the 20^th century and most notably the 1960s, i.e. the decade of the band’s formation. And it was in fact in 1965, via Columbia Records, that The Seekers came out with “The Carnival Is Over” as a standalone single.

During that juncture in the band’s history, The Seekers would have consisted of these musicians:

• vocalist Judith Durham
• bassist Athol Guy
• guitarist Keith Potger
• guitarist Bruce Woodley

This is the same quartet that has for the most part held the brand down throughout the decades and are still presently members of the outfit.

Facts about “The Carnival is Over”

“The Carnival Is Over” reached number one in Australia and was also a UK Singles Chart topper. And in that latter regard, it actually ranks amongst the highest-selling tracks in British history.

But despite its success in the UK, this song is akin to an anthem in Australia, perhaps explaining how The Seekers have been able to survive as a viable act all these year.

To note, this song didn’t perform well stateside.

The writer and producer of “The Carnival Is Over” is Tom Springfield (brother of the late Dusty Springfield), who was not part of The Seekers through a regular collaborator during their heyday. And he based this tune on an old, 19^th century folk song from Russia entitled “Stenka Razin”.

Boney M. dropped their own version of “The Carnival Is Over” in 1982. It didn’t do particularly well based on their established standard, perhaps due to the fact that it was the first single they dropped without Bobby Farrell (1949-2010).

There is a couple, Pierrot and Columbine, mentioned in this song. They are actually famous characters whose origins apparently date back to circa 16^th century Italian theater. And what their relationship represents, most simply put, is a troubled romance. And to note, these characters are also heavily associated with or portrayed at carnivals.