Blowin' In The Wind
Trini Lopez Lyrics


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How many roads must a man walk down
Before you can call him a man
Yes and how many seas must a white dove sail
Before she sleeps in the sand
How many times must the cannonballs fly
Before they're forever banned

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
Yes and how many ears must one man have
Before he can hear people cry
How many deaths will it take till he know
That too many people have died

The answer my friend is blowin' in the wind
The answer is blowin' in the wind

How many years can a mountain exist
Before it's washed to the sea
Yes and how many years can some people exist
Before they're allowed to be free
How many times can a man turn his head
Pretending he just doesn't see?

The answer my friend is blowin' in the wind




The answer is blowin' in the wind
The answer is blowin' in the wind.

Overall Meaning

The Trini Lopez song "Blowin' In The Wind" is a powerful and insightful commentary on the human condition, asking questions about the nature of freedom, justice, and equality. The opening verse asks how many roads a man must walk down before he can be considered a man, and how many seas a dove must cross before she can rest on the beach. These questions speak to the idea of personal growth and the struggle for self-discovery, suggesting that true manhood and freedom are earned through experience and perseverance.


The second verse is even more political in nature, asking how many times a man must look up before he can see the sky and how many ears he must have before he can hear people's cries for help. The final question of the verse asks how many deaths it will take for people to realize that too many have already died. These questions speak to the themes of social injustice, inequality, and the need for empathy and compassion.


The final verse talks about the impermanence of life, asking how long a mountain can exist before it is washed away and how long people can exist without being free. The verse also questions how many times a man can turn his head away from suffering, pretending not to see. This final verse touches on themes of mortality, the human condition, and the cost of ignoring the suffering of others.


Line by Line Meaning

How many roads must a man walk down
What is the required journey that one needs to undertake to become a man?


Before you can call him a man
At what point can you recognize someone as a man?


Yes and how many seas must a white dove sail
How far must one travel to find peace?


Before she sleeps in the sand
What level of accomplishment does one need to reach before they can find rest?


How many times must the cannonballs fly
How much violence and warfare must people suffer before they give it up?


Before they're forever banned
What will it take to end the use of violence and warfare forever?


The answer my friend is blowin' in the wind
The solution to these societal issues is elusive and hard to find.


The answer is blowin' in the wind
The solution can be found in nature and the world around us.


How many times must a man look up
How many attempts does one need to make to gain perspective?


Before he can see the sky
At what point does one fully understand the beauty and enormity of the world?


Yes and how many ears must one man have
How much suffering must one experience before they can hear the cries of others?


Before he can hear people cry
What steps does one need to take in order to empathize with and understand the experiences of others?


How many deaths will it take till he know
How many atrocities must occur before people can comprehend the impact of violence?


That too many people have died
What level of devastation is necessary for people to understand the need for change?


How many years can a mountain exist
What is the lifespan of the natural world around us?


Before it's washed to the sea
How long can anything really last before it eventually fades away?


Yes and how many years can some people exist
How long can oppression continue before change must occur?


Before they're allowed to be free
What will it take for society to grant freedom and equal rights to all individuals?


How many times can a man turn his head
How often can people turn a blind eye to the injustices happening around them?


Pretending he just doesn't see?
What will it take for people to address the problems and challenges facing our world?




Writer(s): Bob Dylan

Contributed by Ellie A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

@everhard1000

we miss you, MAN !!! TNX for the music !!!

@robertoderada9997

Excelente cantante QEPD.
Saludos desde San Luis Potosí, México

@satelitetito

Una estupenda canción para todos los tiempos de la humanidad.

@estherapolonio6935

Spectacular voice never change ❤️❤️❤️💋

@MeryToste

Best Version...Unforgettable BRILLIANT TRINI LOPEZ👍👏

@omarg7879

EXTRAORDINARIO !!!

@NecioPez

Bob Dylan hacía canciones para que otros las cantaran mejor que él!