Blowin’ In The Wind | Chords + Lyrics (capo 7)
Intro
| G |
Verse 1
| G C G/B | D/A D G | G C G/B | G |
How many roads must a man walk down, before you call him a man?
| G C G/B | D/A D G | G C G/B | D D/A D D/A |
Yes, and how many seas must a white dove sail, before she sleeps in the sand?
| G C G/B | D/A D/F# G | G C G/B | G |
Yes, and how many times must the cannonballs fly, before they’re forever banned?
Chorus 1
| C G/B D/A D/F# | G C C/G | C G/B D/A D | 2/4 G |
The answer my friend is blowin’ in the wind, the answer is blowin’ in the wind.
Instrumental 1
| C G/B D D/A D/F# | G C C/G | C G/B D/F# | G |
Verse 2
How many years can a mountain exist, before it’s 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, pretending he just doesn’t see?
Chorus 2
The answer my friend is blowin’ in the wind, the answer is blowin’ in the wind.
Instrumental 2
| C G/B D D/A D/F# | G C C/G | C G/B D/F# | G |
Verse 3
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 till he knows, that too many people have died?
Chorus 3
The answer my friend is blowin’ in the wind, the answer is blowin’ in the wind.
Outro
| C G/B D D/A D/F# | G C C/G | C G/B D/F# | G |
Blowin’ In The Wind Chords: Learn the Progressions and Movements
Built entirely on the I, IV, and V chords, it’s tempting to simplify Blowin’ in the Wind’s harmony before introducing the various bass notes.
Let’s test this approach by looking at the first line of the verse in Roman numerals:
| G (I) C (IV) G (I) | D (V) G (I) | G (I) C (IV) G (I) | G (I) |
Even without the added bass notes, the frequent chord changes make this progression more intricate than it seems! Now, here’s the same line with the proper bass notes included:
| G (I) C (IV) G/B (I/3) | D/A (V/5) D (V) G (I) | G (I) C (IV) G/B (I/3) | G (I) |
Clearly, whether simplified or not, Blowin’ in the Wind has plenty of movement. The best way to master this is by using TAB, practising slowly, and committing the changes to memory (see further down this page).
Here’s the rest of the verse—can you spot the Roman numerals even without them being labelled?
| G C G/B | D/A D G | G C G/B | D D/A D D/A |
| G C G/B | D/A D/F# G | G C G/B | G |
The chorus follows a similar pattern, emphasising chord IV (C) as it moves back to I:
| C G/B D/A D/F# | G C C/G | C G/B D/A D | 2/4 G |
The instrumental section mirrors the chorus closely:
| C G/B D D/A D/F# | G C C/G | C G/B D/F# | G |
To help you visualise the full structure, here’s a chord chart of the complete song in G (with a capo on fret 7).
Blowin’ In The Wind Chord Chart | PDF + iReal Pro
Looking at the chord chart, a few things become clearer.
With the chords displayed in a larger format, patterns are easier to spot—there are no lyrics in the way, and each section has space to breathe.
However, you can’t simply glance at the chart and play the song flawlessly. The key is to practise each section slowly first, then use the chart as a reference.
If you’d like to download it, here’s a PDF: Blowin’ In The Wind Chord Chart PDF.
This chart was created using iRealPro, and you can find the file here: Blowin’ in the Wind iRealPro. With the iRealPro app, you can even change the key to suit your voice or playing style.
In the course, we break things down further using TAB and practice loops to fully internalise Blowin’ in the Wind. There’s no doubt this step is essential—below is a preview.
Blowin’ In The Wind TAB | Course Preview
Blowin’ in the Wind – Bob Dylan’s Breakthrough Song
More than half a century after its release, Blowin’ in the Wind remains a staple in Bob Dylan’s live performances.
The original recording was played as if in the key of G, but with a capo on fret seven, it sounded in D. My arrangement follows Dylan’s note-for-note, capturing the essence of how he played it. In the video above, you can see me performing it alongside a singer.
Try playing along with the verse to get a feel for learning guitar with Sytunes. Pay close attention to how the strumming is divided between the bass note and the chords. Since the key trick here is the moving bass line, this technique helps it stand out more.
Members continue by studying the chorus and instrumental sections in the same way—using TAB and play-along loops. Once you’ve mastered all three sections, you’ll be able to play the song just as I (and Bob!) do.
Members also play Blowin’ in the Wind to deepen their understanding using a capo on fret two, thinking in the key of C. Additionally, we explore technical exercises and a second guitar part without a capo, thinking in the key of D—all covered across 8 step-by-step guitar lessons.
By learning all three versions, you won’t just be able to play Blowin’ in the Wind—you’ll gain valuable insight from the song itself. Ultimately, this approach prepares you for playing with others, as if we were a folk trio.
Here’s a link to the 8 step-by-step guitar lessons: Blowin’ in the Wind – Guitar Lessons with TAB.
Blowin’ in the Wind – A Timeless Classic
Released on the 1963 album The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan, Blowin’ in the Wind became one of Dylan’s defining songs—despite the fact that he was still primarily performing covers at the time.
Interestingly, Peter, Paul & Mary took the song to the charts before Dylan’s version gained recognition. Their success helped propel it into the public consciousness, cementing its status as an anthem of its era.
Often cited as a quintessential protest song, Blowin’ in the Wind poses deep philosophical questions about peace, war, and freedom. American teens in the ’60s embraced it, and Dylan quickly became an icon of the folk movement.
Over the decades, Dylan has released countless albums, but for many, he remains the voice behind Blowin’ in the Wind, Mr. Tambourine Man, The Times They Are A-Changin’, and Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right.
In recognition of its impact, Blowin’ in the Wind was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999. Five years later, Rolling Stone ranked it #14 on The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
Blowin’ In The Wind Chords: Continue Learning
Bob Dylan’s first hit, Blowin’ In The Wind, was originally played using a capo on fret 7, thinking in the key of G.
During the 8 lessons, you’ll learn it just like Bob played it, but why stop there? We also play it with a capo on fret 2 (key of C) as well as without a capo (key of D).
This way, you me and the singer can play this tune together, like a folk trio.
Start learning with the full lesson series: Blowin’ In The Wind – Guitar Lessons with TAB.
Alternatively, here are five similar tunes you might enjoy: