Dylan's debut album, Bob Dylan, had featured just two original songs. Freewheelin' contained just two covers, the traditional tune "Corrina, Corrina", and "Honey, Just Allow Me One More Chance" — which Dylan re-wrote extensively. All the other songs were Dylan originals and the Freewheelin' album showcased for the first time Dylan's song-writing talent. The album kicked off with "Blowin' in the Wind", which would become one of Dylan's most celebrated songs. In July 1963, the song became an international hit for folk trio Peter, Paul & Mary.
The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan reached number 22 in the US (eventually going platinum), and later became a number 1 hit in the UK in 1965. It was one of 50 recordings chosen in 2002 by the Library of Congress to be added to the National Recording Registry.
In 2003, the album was ranked number 97 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.
Blowin' in the Wind
Bob Dylan Lyrics
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Before you call him a man?
How many seas must a white dove sail
Before she sleeps in the sand?
Yes, 'n' 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, 'n' how many years can a mountain exist
Before it is washed to the sea?
Yes, 'n' how many years can some people exist
Before they're allowed to be free?
Yes, 'n' 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, 'n' how many times must a man look up
Before he can see the sky?
Yes, 'n' how many ears must one man have
Before he can hear people cry?
Yes, 'n' 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 song "Blowin' in the Wind" by Bob Dylan was released in 1962 and is considered one of the greatest protest songs ever written. The lyrics are a series of questions that address some of the major social and political issues of the time, including civil rights, war, and freedom. The repeated refrain, "The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind," suggests that the answers to these questions are not easily found, and perhaps not even known, but are still worth searching for.
The first set of questions ask how many roads must a man walk down before he can be considered a man, and how many seas must a white dove sail before it can rest in the sand. These questions have been interpreted as being about the journey of life and the search for meaning and purpose. The next set of questions ask how long a mountain can exist before it is washed away, and how long some people must wait to be free. These questions are about the persistence of injustice and oppression, and the need for change. Finally, the last set of questions ask how many times a man must look up to see the sky, how many ears he must have to hear people cry, and how many deaths it will take for him to realize too many people have died. These questions point to the human capacity for ignorance, and the need for empathy and compassion.
Overall, "Blowin' in the Wind" is a timeless song that remains relevant today as a call for social justice and equality. The ambiguous ending of the song suggests that the search for answers to these questions is ongoing, and that the struggle for change must continue.
Line by Line Meaning
How many roads must a man walk down
Before you call him a man?
How much effort does a man have to put in to earn the respect and recognition of being called a man?
How many seas must a white dove sail
Before she sleeps in the sand?
How much can a peaceful being do for the society before it rests in peace itself?
Yes, 'n' how many times must the cannon balls fly
Before they're forever banned?
How much destruction and chaos must there be before humanity realizes the need for peace?
The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind
The answer is blowin' in the wind
There are answers to these deep questions but they are elusive, and like wind, cannot be grasped, only felt.
Yes, 'n' how many years can a mountain exist
Before it is washed to the sea?
How long will nature remain powerful enough to stand the test of time, or will everything eventually be lost to the whims of the universe?
Yes, 'n' how many years can some people exist
Before they're allowed to be free?
How long will some people have to endure oppression before they are given the right to be free?
Yes, 'n' how many times can a man turn his head
And pretend that he just doesn't see?
How much can someone ignore a problem before it becomes impossible to ignore or deny?
Yes, 'n' how many times must a man look up
Before he can see the sky?
How many barriers must a man overcome before he can truly perceive the beauty that surrounds him?
Yes, 'n' how many ears must one man have
Before he can hear people cry?
How much must a person learn to truly hear the pain and suffering of others and then act on it?
Yes, 'n' how many deaths will it take 'til he knows
That too many people have died?
How much suffering is necessary before people come to the realization that war and death are not worth the cost?
Lyrics © CONSALAD CO., Ltd., Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Bob Dylan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind