About the song
Peter, Paul and Mary: The names alone evoke a bygone era of folk music, a time when guitars were strung with hope and songs were anthems for a generation seeking change. Among their vast repertoire, one song stands out as a timeless masterpiece: “Blowing in the Wind.”
Originally penned by the enigmatic Bob Dylan, this song was transformed into a cultural touchstone by the folk trio. Released in 1963, it captured the spirit of a nation on the cusp of great social upheaval. The song’s simple yet profound lyrics, coupled with the harmonies of Peter, Paul, and Mary, created a powerful and enduring piece of music.
“Blowing in the Wind” is more than just a song; it’s a question. A series of rhetorical questions, in fact, that probe the very nature of humanity and our place in the world. “How many roads must a man walk down before you call him a man?” “How many times must the cannonballs fly before they’re forever banned?” These questions, while seemingly simple, are loaded with meaning. They invite us to reflect on the injustices of the world and to ponder the possibility of a better future.
The beauty of this song lies in its ambiguity. The refrain, “The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind,” is open to interpretation. Is the answer to be found in the natural world? In the hearts of men? Or perhaps it’s a question that can never truly be answered. This ambiguity has allowed the song to resonate with countless listeners across generations.
Peter, Paul and Mary’s version of “Blowing in the Wind” became an anthem for the civil rights movement and the anti-war protests of the 1960s. Their harmonious vocals and the song’s message of hope and peace struck a chord with young people who were eager to make a difference in the world.
Even today, “Blowing in the Wind” remains as relevant as ever. The questions it poses are still unanswered, and the world continues to grapple with many of the same issues that inspired the song in the first place. Whether you were a teenager during the turbulent 1960s or are just discovering this song for the first time, “Blowing in the Wind” offers a timeless message of hope, peace, and the enduring power of music.
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Lyrics
How many roads must a man walk down
Before they call him a man?
How many seas must a white dove sail
Before she sleeps in the sand?
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.How many years must a mountain exist
Before it is washed to the sea?
How many years can some people exist
Before they’re allowed to be free?
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.How many times must a man look up
Before he can see the sky?
How many ears must one man have
Before he can hear people cry?
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.
The answer is blowin’ in the wind.