Originally written by Bob Dylan, Blowin’ in the Wind became one of the most famous tunes of 1963 after the folk-singing trio Peter, Paul and Mary covered it.
This song is nothing but a series of serious rhetorical questions about freedom, peace, and war. It also covers other topics such as cruelty, empathy and liberty.
And there’s just one simple answer to all those questions: “The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind.”
Listen to the song here:
If YouTube (or the uploader) has taken down the video, you’ll have to find another source by yourself. It’s easy. Just use Google 🙂
Blowin’ in the Wind Lyrics
How many roads must a man walk down
Before you call him a man?
How many seas must a white dove sail
Before she sleeps in the sand?
Yes, and how many times must the cannon balls fly
Before they’re forever banned?
The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind
The answer is blowin’ in the wind.
Yes, and how many years can a mountain exist
Before it is washed to the sea?
Yes, and how many years can some people exist
Before they’re allowed to be free?
Yes, and how many times can a man turn his head
And pretend that he just doesn’t see?
The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind
The answer is blowin’ in the wind.
Yes, and how many times must a man look up
Before he can see the sky?
Yes, and how many ears must one man have
Before he can hear people cry?
Yes, and how many deaths will it take ’til he knows
That too many people have died?
The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind
The answer is blowin’ in the wind.
Writer: Bob Dylan
A Protest Classic
The vagueness of the lyrics works to its advantage. No wonder it has retained its popularity as a protest song over the years.
Either the answer is so obvious that it’s in the wind around you, or it’s so elusive that you’ll not be able to catch it even if you feel it.
Like with most Peter, Paul and Mary songs (all of which are highly recommended too), the tune is very relaxing and uplifting at the same time. It’s quite unlike my previous song recommendation.
The lyrics remind me of the various things that are yet to be accomplished by the human species. If ever there was a album based on Humanism, this song would definitely be on it.
