There are many famous covers of Blowin' in the Wind, and it is often regarded as one of the most covered songs 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
@jacksonmorganfroghin4815
Let's say this is the seventh. Then here is my top six:
6. Bridge Over Troubled Water by Simon and Goldwater.
5. Let the River Run by Carly Simon
4. Blackbird by the Beatles
3. A Change is Gonna Come by Sam Cooke
2. It is Well with My Soul.....by Selah
And number one is heard at many funerals and done best by Judy Collins. The history of the song is quite beautiful and can be googled:
1. AMAZING GRACE
written by John Newton.
@abhimanyu2403
How many songs must a man listen, before YouTube recommends this song
@JulianWKK
This is deep.
@i.z186
Your heart is the most reliable detector
@Dbusdriver71
How many songs?! Dylan should be required listening before you can be on you tube. So many have used his tunes.
@elkpapa
LOLLLLLLLL
@littledkov
no one else like this comment, we need it to be 420
@SusanDiederichsen
I’m 76 years old ..still play their songs.. we grew up at the best time!!!!
@lmml9297
Me too!
@fardinine237
You guys really did ❤
@Ravewave126
16 year old here. My dad plays this music. It's much better than the stuff we have these days