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Blowin' In The Wind
Diana Ross and the Supremes Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

How many roads
Must a man walk down
Before they call him a man?
How many seas
Must a white dove sail
Before she can sleep in the sand?
And how many times
Must the cannonballs fly
Before they're ever 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?
And 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?
And how many deaths
Will it takes 'till 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, my friend
Is blowin' in the wind
The answer is blowin' in the wind

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "Blowin' In The Wind" by Diana Ross and the Supremes ask a series of rhetorical questions that address issues of social injustice and inequality. The first verse asks how much a man must do before he is considered a man, reflecting the struggle of African Americans to gain equal rights in the United States during the Civil Rights Movement. The second verse asks how long a mountain must exist before it is eroded and washed away, suggesting that even the most durable structures can ultimately be overcome by the forces of nature. Additionally, the lyrics suggest that some people are denied their basic freedom for an extended period, a reference to the institutionalized racism and segregation of the time. The final verse addresses the issue of systemic deaths and the failure of society to address them, suggesting that there must be a greater outcry to prevent further tragic loss of life.


The refrain "The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind" suggests that the solutions to these various problems are not immediately clear, but are instead elusive and ever-changing. The wind itself symbolizes the dynamic and shifting nature of human social systems, beyond easy resolution or control.


Line by Line Meaning

How many roads Must a man walk down Before they call him a man?
How many paths must a man journey on in his life before he is respected and considered a grown adult?


How many seas Must a white dove sail Before she can sleep in the sand?
How long does a white dove need to travel on the seas before it is able to take rest in the sand?


And how many times Must the cannonballs fly Before they're ever banned?
How many times do we have to use dangerous weapons before we realize how destructive they are and ban them?


The answer, my friend Is blowin' in the wind The answer is blowin' in the wind
The solution to these problems and questions is unknown and cannot be easily found.


How many years Must a mountain exist Before it is washed to the sea?
How long does a mountain last before it disappears into the vast sea?


And how many years Can some people exist Before they're allowed to be free?
How many years does it take for certain individuals to be granted their freedom and rights which they have always deserved?


How many times Can a man turn his head And pretend that he just doesn't see?
How often can a man ignore important issues and avoid taking action to address them?


How many times Must a man look up Before he can see the sky?
How long does it take for a man to look up and appreciate his surroundings before he sees the beautiful sky?


How many ears Must one man have Before he can hear people cry?
How many senses must a man possess before he can empathize with the cries of those who are suffering?


And how many deaths Will it takes 'till he knows That too many people have died?
How many more fatalities will occur before a man realizes that too many lives have been lost?




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Bob Dylan

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

louise reilly

fabulous <3 :) can you please make it available to listen to on mobile xXx

June Andrus

LOTS OF PEOPLE DON'T KNOW THIS, BUT THE RECORDING IS FLORENCE,MARY,AND DIANA. BUT BECAUSE IT'S ON DIANA ROSS AND THE SUPREMES CREAM OF THE CROP ALBUM THEY SHOWING CINDY BIRDSONG PICTURE. RECORDED IN 1966.

Night Hawk

Flo is very present on this recording. No doubt about it.

More Time Needed

Who was the producer? Thanks

SouLoveReal _

@More Time Needed: Throughout the whole album, the producers are Johnny Bristol, Berry Gordy,
and Smokey Robinson.

louise reilly

Hello anybody there ? Whats the point in putting this up if you are not going to share it completely pls consider ppl with no computer ... We would love to be able to play this on iPhone ..... Awaiting a reply pls :) & thank you :D love this song & video :) ...

theSUPREMEscene

unfortunately, i don't have any control over that. the owners of the music have the right to determine where their songs may be seen and heard...

Hussein Dawodu

Fix this montoge

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