Blowin' in the Wind
Bobby Bare · Folsom Prison Blues/I'm a Long Way from Home [Coll [2004]
Mhmmm, hmm, hmm
How many roads must a man walk down
Before you can call him a man
And how many seas must a white dove sail
Before she can sleep in the sand.
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.
How many times must a man look up
Before he can see the sky
Yes, and how many ears must one man have
Before he can hear people cry.
And 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.
--- Instrumental ---
How many years can a mountain exist
Before it is washed to the sea
Yes, and how many years can some people exist
Before they're allowed to be free.
And how many times can a man turn his head
Pretendin' he just doesn't see
The answer my friend is blowin' in the wind
The answer is blowin' in the wind.
The answer my friend is blowin' in the wind
The answer is blowin' in the wind...
Blowin' in the Wind
Bobby Bare's rendition of 'Blowin' in the Wind' stands as a defining example of his mastery of the folk-rock revival sound. Recorded for the collaborative album Folsom Prison Blues/I'm a Long Way from Home, this track showcases his ability to deliver Peter, Paul and Mary's classic protest anthem with a distinct, warm vocal texture that bridges the gap between traditional folk and emerging rock influences. The recording captures the era's spirit of social consciousness, where Bare's interpretation emphasized lyrical clarity and melodic simplicity over aggressive instrumentation. His version remains a staple of his discography, reflecting his commitment to acoustic storytelling and his role in popularizing folk music for a broader audience during the mid-1960s.