About the song
“Blowing in the Wind” by Peter, Paul and Mary is a timeless anthem of the 1960s folk music revival, a song that has resonated deeply with audiences for its poignant lyrics and powerful message. Originally written by Bob Dylan, this iconic track was released by Peter, Paul and Mary in 1963 as part of their album “In the Wind.” The trio’s harmonious rendition brought the song to a wider audience and helped cement its place in music history.
The song poses a series of rhetorical questions about peace, war, and freedom, encapsulated in the refrain, “The answer, my friend, is blowing in the wind.” Dylan’s lyrics capture the spirit of a generation grappling with social and political upheaval, making “Blowing in the Wind” an anthem for the civil rights movement and the anti-war protests of the time.
Peter, Paul and Mary’s version of “Blowing in the Wind” was a commercial success, reaching number two on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Their smooth, melodic harmonies and simple acoustic arrangement brought a new depth and accessibility to Dylan’s composition. The trio’s heartfelt performance and clear, emotive voices emphasized the song’s message, making it an enduring classic that continues to inspire and provoke thought.
“Blowing in the Wind” was part of the album “In the Wind,” which itself was a critical and commercial triumph. The album reached number one on the Billboard Pop Albums chart, further establishing Peter, Paul and Mary as leading figures in the folk music scene.
For many listeners, “Blowing in the Wind” is more than just a song; it is a call to reflection and action, a reminder of the enduring quest for justice and peace. Peter, Paul and Mary’s rendition remains one of the most beloved and influential versions of the song, capturing the essence of a pivotal era in American history. Their performance ensures that the song’s powerful questions and hopeful message continue to resonate with new generations of listeners.
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Lyrics
How many roads must a man walk down
Before they call him a man?
How many seas must a white dove sail
Before she sleeps in the sand?
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.How many years must a mountain exist
Before it is washed to the sea?
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?
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.
The answer is blowin’ in the wind.