Blowin In The Wind chords

by Bob Dylan
  • Blowin' In The Wind was written by Bob Dylan.
  • Recorded: Columbia Studios, New York City on July 9, 1962
  • Released: August 1963
  • Album: The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan.
  • Music: Key of D Major in 4/4 time at approx. 86 bpm (♩)
  • Chords: D, G, Em, A7
Chart Legend
Numbered Circles: Fingers used to play chords   O: Optional Note
Barre Line: One finger holds down multiple strings   R: Root Note
Unmarked strings: Play open   X: Don't play string    B: Bass Note
D Major G major Em A7
D Major G major Em A7

Blowin In The Wind

Song Key is highlighted - Transpose to any other key
  
                  D         D
Intro: 4/4   |         |         |

   D         G            D
1. How  many roads must a man walk down
      D        G          D
   Be-fore you call him a man?
   D        G           D
   How many seas must a white dove sail
      D        Em            A7
   Be-fore she sleeps in the sand?
            D         G              D
   Yes, and how ma-ny times must the can-non balls fly
      D            G         D
   Be-fore they're for-e-ver banned?
       G           A7         D               G
   The an-swer, my friend, is blo-win' in the wind
       Em         A7              D
   The an-swer is blo-win' in the wind   
 
          G     A7     D     G     Em     A7     D     D
Instr: ‖     |      |     |     |      |      |     |      ‖ 
   
             D         G           D 
2.  Yes, and how ma-ny years can a moun-tain e-xist
       D          G             D
    Be-fore it is washed to the sea?
             D         G              D
    Yes, and how ma-ny years can some peo-ple e-xist
       D               Em          A7
    Be-fore they're al-lowed to be free?
             D         G           D
    Yes, and how ma-ny times can a man turn his head
            D            G             D
    And pre-tend that he just doe-sn't see?
       G           A7         D               G
   The an-swer, my friend, is blo-win' in the wind
       Em         A7              D
   The an-swer is blo-win' in the wind   
 
          G     A7     D     G     Em     A7     D     D
Instr: ‖     |      |     |     |      |      |     |     ‖ 
   
            D         G            D 
3. Yes, and how ma-ny times must a man look up
      D           G       D
   Be-fore he can see the sky?
            D         G         D
   Yes, and how ma-ny ears must one man have
      D           Em           A7
   Be-fore he can hear peo-ple cry?
            D         G              D
   Yes, and how ma-ny deaths will it take 'til he knows
      D         G            D
   If too ma-ny peo-ple have died?   
       G           A7         D               G
   The an-swer, my friend, is blo-win' in the wind
       Em         A7              D
   The an-swer is blo-win' in the wind 

          G     A7     D     G     Em     A7     D     D
Outro: |     |      |     |     |      |      |     |     |...

Song Facts

  • It was written in 1962 and released as a single in 1963.
  • It was included on Dylan's second album, The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan.
  • The song is a protest song that poses a series of rhetorical questions about peace, war, and freedom.
  • The song has been covered by many artists, including Peter, Paul and Mary, who had a hit with it in 1963. Other artists include: Joan Baez, The Seekers, The Hollies, Stevie Wonder, Elvis Presley, and many more.
  • It was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1994.
  • The song is considered one of the greatest protest songs of all time.
  • The song was inspired by the civil rights movement and the Vietnam War.
  • Dylan wrote the song in just a few minutes, while sitting on a bench in Central Park.
  • The song's melody is based on the traditional gospel song No More Auction Block.
  • No More Auction Block is an old slave song that expresses the longing for freedom and the resistance to slavery (see lyrics below).
  • The song's lyrics are full of symbolism, and have been interpreted in many different ways.
  • The song has been used as a protest song, a peace anthem, and a call for social justice.

No More Auction Block Lyrics

No more auction block for me
No more, no more
No more auction block for me
Many thousands gone

No more driver's lash for me
No more, no more
No more driver's lash for me
Many thousands gone

No more whip lash for me
No more, no more
No more pint of salt for me
Many thousands gone

No more auction block for me
No more, no more
No more auction block for me
Many thousands gone

Back to 60's Music Back To Top
Contact Me

A seasoned performer joyfully playing the guitar