About the song
“Blowin’ in the Wind” is a powerful single by Bob Dylan, featured on his 1963 album *The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan*. Often regarded as a key anthem of the civil rights movement, the song addresses profound questions about peace, war, and freedom. With its timeless lyrics, it captures the spirit of an era seeking change and justice.
The song’s chorus, “The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind,” has been described as both elusive and thought-provoking. Some interpret it as suggesting that answers are clear and present, yet remain unnoticed, while others see it as a reflection of uncertainty or the transient nature of truth.
In 1994, “Blowin’ in the Wind” was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, recognizing its enduring impact and importance in music history. By 2004, it was ranked 14th in Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the “500 Greatest Songs of All Time,” underscoring its lasting influence and continued relevance.
Dylan’s song, with its simple yet profound lyrical questions, resonates across generations, embodying the quest for answers to some of humanity’s most fundamental concerns. It remains a seminal piece in both music and social activism, reflecting the hopes and struggles of its time while continuing to inspire new listeners today.
Video
Lyrics
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, and 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
Yes, and 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?
Yes, and 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, and how many times must a man look up
Before he can see the sky?
And how many ears must one man have
Before he can hear people cry?
Yes, and 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