Written in 1976 by Johnny Marks (writer of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer), the "Father Time's Song" appeared in the Rankin/Bass stop motion film entitled Rudolph's Shiny New Year which first aired on ABC on December 10, 1976. It was a sequel to Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer that was often aired during the Christmas season, despite technically being a New Year's special.
Over the years, as the film aired, the song "Father Time" was often cut out of the film to allow for more commercial time. Attached here on this page, is the original scene from the movie.
In Rudolph's Shiny New Year, Father Time appears as the keeper of the passage of time, and also serves as the narrator of the story, relating the events to the audience. He lives in a castle located directly below a bright and shining star in the northern skies. Visitors to the castle are required to trek across the Sands of Time. One of his duties is to oversee the ending of the old year, and the crowning of the new year every December 31st.
Father time and baby new year are narrated by actor/comedian Red Skelton.
The moving finger writes
And having writ, moves on
You can't hold back the clock
It just ticks on and on
The moving finger writes
And having writ, moves on
So treasure memories
For what is gone is gone
Choir: And though you may sweat and strive
Don't you know it's great just to be alive?
So...
Make every moment count
Rejoice with every dawn
The moving finger writes
And having writ, moves on.
