“Dylan’s record had a tragic prescience to it. Lines like, “How many times must the cannonballs fly, before they’re forever band?”
Or maybe banned?
Blowing in the Wind is good because it’s not only about the U.S. Civil
Rights issues of the mid 20th Century. It’s more universal.
I heard it as a little kid as the b side of Puff the Magic Dragon.
Perceptive of you.
As is true of many Bob Dylan songs people project themselves onto the content and interpret them. He did not present any solution in this song. He did not mention any topic of the civil rights controversy or news in Blowin.'
When friend Phil Ochs and others wrote their songs the songs had limited lives due to saying "You guys listen and believe this...." and "this is what happened this month." Poetry and classic songs last if they do not act on topical news items. Also, Joan Baez said Bob Dylan NEVER went to a protest or demonstration. "When fans ask me do you think Bob Dylan will be there tomorrow at the demonstration?" I laugh and say "no, you moron, he won't."