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 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


Lyrics submitted by Jack, edited by Paymaan, Mellow_Harsher, goodnews, Magnuschaseandpercyjackson, jillo1978

Blowin' In The Wind Lyrics as written by Bob Dylan

Lyrics © CONSALAD CO., Ltd.

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Blowin' in the Wind song meanings
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    General Comment

    'devv' you are correct on numerous points, the most important being that this song is a protest song written during the Vietnam era. And your interpretation of the first verse is correct. However, I question your interpretation of the second and third. In the second verse it asks how long a mountain can exist before it is washed out to sea? He is not referring to land being ravaged by war activities. He is referring to countries, specifically the U.S., as the mountain and that no matter what, that mountain will eventually be eroded into the sea. It's nature, and it happens, indefinately. The second verse also asks how many years can some people exist before they're allowed to be free? He is not talking about POW's, he is talking about regular citizens of any country. I take this interpretation because of the word 'exist' which implies that something has been there from the day it was born to the day it shall die. And POW's are only prisoners in the event of a war. And about the turning the head line, I believe he is referring to those in politics, specifically the White House. He is asking how many years can these men of power turn their heads acting like they don't see that what they are doing is wrong and destroying society. In the third verse, he asks how many times must a man look up before he sees the beauty of the world around him and that he doesn't want to destroy it but embrace it. And your interpretation about the number of ears one must need to hear the cry of the people is correct. But the next line isn't about facing extinction, it's pretty straight forward in its interpretation. How many people is too many? The answer my friend is 'blowin in the wind'

    masterstin1832on April 19, 2010   Link

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