Read Lyrics

I got this amazing tip from a mother who comes to Parent Trust for developmental screenings.

This family has a 1st grader who is reading at a 4th grade level. Mom wants to encourage him to stretch his abilities, but the reading material at a 4th grade level often has content that is too socially/emotionally advanced for a young child. We deal with this same issue with my 10-year-old niece, who was very matter -of -fact with me when she said to me, “Aunt Marni, I’m reading stuff that is really meant for teenagers!”

Well, I get lots of my good ideas from the parents I work with and I just LOVE this one. Mom prints out song lyrics for her son…who now is reading Bob Dylan. And this 1st grader is so inspired by Dylan that he is now writing his own poetry! This strategy goes straight to my heart, especially since my own Dad believed that Dylan is the greatest modern poet that we have.

So, without further ado: Blowin’ in the Wind

How many roads must a man walk down
Before you call him a man?
Yes, ’n’ how many seas must a white dove sail
Before she sleeps in the sand?
Yes, ’n’ how many times must the cannonballs fly
Before they’re forever banned?
The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind
The answer is blowin’ in the wind

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
The answer is blowin’ in the wind

How many times must a man look up
Before he can see the sky?
Yes, ’n’ how many ears must one man have
Before he can hear people cry?
Yes, ’n’ how many deaths will it take till he knows
That too many people have died?
The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind
The answer is blowin’ in the wind

By Bob Dylan © 1962 by Warner Bros. Inc.; renewed 1990 by Special Rider Music