How many roads must a man walk down
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's 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 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.
I chose this song because it makes you think about issues in the world. It is a song full of questions to provoke the listeners and he gives no answer. This is not solely about the Vietnam War, it also opposes other issues such as segregation for example: Yes, 'n' how many years can some people exist; Before they're allowed to be free?
"The answer is blowin' in the wind." This means that it is blowing in the wind right in front of us, yet nobody can see it. One strong statement is "Yes, 'n' how many times must the cannon balls fly; Before they're forever banned?" I find this a strong statement because its a very clear anti-war message saying that it is pointless.
I think that Bob Dylan wrote this song not to simply express his opinion, but to get listeners to think about their opinion. He probably hoped that it would inspire other artists to share their anti-war thoughts in their songs as well.
How many roads must a man walk down
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's 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 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.
I chose this song because it makes you think about issues in the world. It is a song full of questions to provoke the listeners and he gives no answer. This is not solely about the Vietnam War, it also opposes other issues such as segregation for example: Yes, 'n' how many years can some people exist; Before they're allowed to be free?
"The answer is blowin' in the wind." This means that it is blowing in the wind right in front of us, yet nobody can see it. One strong statement is "Yes, 'n' how many times must the cannon balls fly; Before they're forever banned?" I find this a strong statement because its a very clear anti-war message saying that it is pointless.
I think that Bob Dylan wrote this song not to simply express his opinion, but to get listeners to think about their opinion. He probably hoped that it would inspire other artists to share their anti-war thoughts in their songs as well.
Back to Songs Of The Vietnam Era