In June 1962, Bob Dylan's song "Blowin In The Wind " was published in Sing Out!, accompanied by his own comments describing the song's vision:
Dylan's comments stir in me something that has long been dormant....a sense of indignation at the wrongs we/I continue to accept as the status quo - as unchangeable. I grew up in a small southern town - where there were water fountains for "whites" and water fountains for "coloreds". And many more indignations and crimes we allowed to be committed....... We/I accepted that standard - and we today accept the same status quo - despite what is "blowing in the wind". We know the right thing to do, and we just don't do it, "we are the people over 21, we’re older and smarter' and we see the wrong, we know its wrong and we choose not to act. 1962 to 2009 as the song says how many years can a people exist before they are allowed to be free. How long!
We continue to hate, separate, argue, hurt......One thing that I think Dylan may have been aluding to in his strong comments about the wind.....sound.......words.....turning into the wind....setting our face to the wind.....means for me, accepting the premise of the question, acknowledging that something is amiss....Knowledge is power, words are the vehicle by which we transmit, exchange, pass on that knowlege.
The question remains will we turn to face the wind, will we admit our mistakes, will we accept and act, will we pass on wisdom and love.......or...... Our time here on this earth is uncertain and finite. So how long will we wait. We are the imprisoned, and we possess the key.......How long.......
How many years can a mountain exist, Before it's washed to the sea? Yes, 'n' how many years can some people exist Before they're allowed to be free? Yes, 'n' how many times can a man turn his head, Pretending he just doesn't see? The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind...."There ain’t too much I can say about this song except that the answer is blowing in the wind. It ain’t in no book or movie or TV show or discussion group. Man, it’s in the wind—and it’s blowing in the wind. Too many of these hip people are telling me where the answer is but oh I won’t believe that. I still say it’s in the wind and just like a restless piece of paper it’s got to come down some ...But the only trouble is that no one picks up the answer when it comes down so not too many people get to see and know ...and then it flies away I still say that some of the biggest criminals are those that turn their heads away when they see wrong and know it’s wrong. I’m only 21 years old and I know that there’s been too many ...You people over 21, you’re older and smarter......"
Dylan's comments stir in me something that has long been dormant....a sense of indignation at the wrongs we/I continue to accept as the status quo - as unchangeable. I grew up in a small southern town - where there were water fountains for "whites" and water fountains for "coloreds". And many more indignations and crimes we allowed to be committed....... We/I accepted that standard - and we today accept the same status quo - despite what is "blowing in the wind". We know the right thing to do, and we just don't do it, "we are the people over 21, we’re older and smarter' and we see the wrong, we know its wrong and we choose not to act. 1962 to 2009 as the song says how many years can a people exist before they are allowed to be free. How long!
We continue to hate, separate, argue, hurt......One thing that I think Dylan may have been aluding to in his strong comments about the wind.....sound.......words.....turning into the wind....setting our face to the wind.....means for me, accepting the premise of the question, acknowledging that something is amiss....Knowledge is power, words are the vehicle by which we transmit, exchange, pass on that knowlege.
The question remains will we turn to face the wind, will we admit our mistakes, will we accept and act, will we pass on wisdom and love.......or...... Our time here on this earth is uncertain and finite. So how long will we wait. We are the imprisoned, and we possess the key.......How long.......
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