I was a young adult in the ‘60s — old enough to avoid the lure of the “sex-drugs-and-rock-n-roll” mania, but young enough to enjoy the new sense of youthful freedom . . . and most of all, the peace movement.

That decade not only ushered in the age of rock; it also saw a resurgence of American folk music from singers like Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Joni Mitchell, Judy Collins; and groups like the Kingston Trio, the Brothers Four, the Weavers, Simon & Garfunkel, the immortal Peter, Paul & Mary; and so many others.

I was listening to some of that great music the other day, and was newly moved by one of my favorites from those years: “Blowin’ in the Wind,” written by Bob Dylan but made famous by Peter, Paul & Mary’s recording of it. And it seemed so relevant, I thought I’d bring the lyrics back to you today . . . for those old enough to remember it fondly, as well as those too young to have heard it the first time around:

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 cannonballs fly
Before they’re forever banned?
The answer, my friend, is blowing in the wind,
The answer is blowing 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 blowing in the wind,
The answer is blowing 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 till he knows
That too many people have died?
The answer, my friend, is blowing in the wind,
The answer is blowing in the wind.

– “Blowin’ in the Wind,” Bob Dylan, 1963

Thanks to all of those minstrels of the ‘60s for the good times, and for their attempts at bringing the world to its senses. Unfortunately, we’re still waiting for the answer to the question . . .

“How many times?”

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
3/11/26