Either way, we have taken a closer look at its poetic lyrics, which summarize the different aspects of peace pretty good.
Let’s start with one of the first lines:
How many seas must a white dove sail
Before she sleeps in the sand?
This line is a really good summary of the entire song. As a white dove is one of the main symbols for peace, it shows that the movement for peace has existed for many years. And even though it had many positive effects, there is still much to do to get to peace. Still, the movement (or, in Bob Dylan’s words, the „white dove“) can’t stop and rest and „sleep in the sand“.
One of the things the peace movements of the past fought for is having no war. There were and are so many anti-war movements, especially during the Cold war, but also in our time.
And still, since the beginning of 2020, the Doomsday clock is at 100 seconds before midnight, which is the nearest it has ever been to 12 o’clock. This clock shows the symbolical time humanity has till a man-made worldwide catastrophe happens (which would happen at midnight). The clock includes mostly nuclear risk and climate change. (If you want to know more about the topic of nuclear weapons, you can take a look at our article " Threat of nuclear weapons for peace " ).
So, as long as so many countries have nuclear weapons, real peace is not possible. You can see the risk of these weapons for example in the ongoing war in the Ukraine, where a nuclear war has been feared since it began.
Or, as it is said in the song:
Yes, and how many times must the cannonballs fly
Before they're forever banned?
Another problem on the way to peace is that many people ignore unpleasant issues. That can be politicians who decide about something important, but also on a smaller scale people on the street who ignore things like racism or other forms of discrimination.
Yes, and how many times can a man turn his head
And pretend that he just doesn't see? (...)
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?
As you can see, peace is about many topics, and of course world peace is kind of an utopia. And even though the answer is still blowin’ in the wind, it is clear that if we treat each other with respect and kindness, we do the first step towards a life that is more peaceful for everyone.
Marit Greißinger