Blowin' in the Wind – Bilingual Lyrics Spanish/English

• By: Bob Dylan

Lyrics & Translation

Explore the enduring legacy of Bob Dylan's "Blowin' in the Wind," a song that continues to resonate with its powerful questions about peace, war, and freedom. Learn how its simple melody and profound lyrics became an anthem for social change, offering a timeless message that invites reflection and dialogue.

[English]

How many roads must a man walk down

Before you can call him a man?

How many seas must a white dove sail

Before she rests in the sand?

Yes, and how many times must the cannonballs fly

Before they're forever prohibited?

The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind

The answer is blowin' in the wind

...

Yes, and how many years can a mountain stand

Before it is washed to the sea?

Yes, and how many years can some people endure

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?

Yes, 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

...

[Spanish]

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 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?

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?

Yes, 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

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
road /roʊd/ A2	noun - a path for vehicles or pedestrians
sea /siː/ A2	noun - a large body of saltwater
dove /dʌv/ B1	noun - a type of bird symbolizing peace
sail /seɪl/ A2	verb - to travel on water using a boat with sails
time /taɪm/ A2	noun - a period during which something occurs
answer /ˈænsər/ B1	noun - a solution or response to a question or problem verb - to reply or respond
wind /wɪnd/ A2	noun - moving air verb - to twist or coil
mountain /ˈmaʊntən/ B1	noun - a large landform that rises prominently above its surroundings
people /ˈpiːpəl/ A2	noun - humans in general
head /hɛd/ A2	noun - the part of the body on top of the neck
sky /skaɪ/ A2	noun - the expanse of air over the Earth
ear /ɪər/ A2	noun - the organ of hearing
cry /kraɪ/ B2	verb - to produce a loud vocal sound
die /daɪ/ B2	verb - to stop living

Key Grammar Structures

• How many roads must a man walk down

  ➔ Question formation with 'how many' for quantity.

  ➔ The phrase "how many" is used to inquire about the number of roads.

• Before you call him a man?

  ➔ Use of the subjunctive mood to express a hypothetical situation.

  ➔ The phrase "before you call" suggests a condition that must be met.

• The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind

  ➔ Use of the present continuous tense to indicate an ongoing state.

  ➔ The phrase "is blowin' in the wind" suggests that the answer is elusive.

• Yes, and how many years can some people exist

  ➔ Use of modal verbs to express ability or possibility.

  ➔ The phrase "can some people exist" indicates potential for existence.

• And pretend that he just doesn't see?

  ➔ Use of the infinitive form after verbs of perception.

  ➔ The phrase "pretend that he just doesn't see" indicates a deliberate choice.

• Yes, and how many deaths will it take 'til he knows

  ➔ Future tense to express an action that will happen.

  ➔ The phrase "will it take 'til he knows" suggests a future condition.