Protest within Music

Where have all the Flowers Gone

by Peter, Paul and Mary

Where have all the flowers gone?
Long time passing
Where have all the flowers gone?
Long time ago
Where have all the flowers gone?
Girls have picked them every one
When will they ever learn?
When will they ever learn?

Where have all the young girls gone?
Long time passing
Where have all the young girls gone?
Long time ago
Where have all the young girls gone?
Taken husbands every one
When will they ever learn?
When will they ever learn?

Where have all the young men gone?
Long time passing
Where have all the young men gone?
Long time ago
Where have all the young men gone?
Gone for soldiers every one
When will they ever learn?
When will they ever learn?

Where have all the soldiers gone?
Long time passing
Where have all the soldiers gone?
Long time ago
Where have all the soldiers gone?
Gone to graveyards every one
When will they ever learn?
When will they ever learn?

Where have all the graveyards gone?
Long time passing
Where have all the graveyards gone?
Long time ago
Where have all the graveyards gone?
Covered with flowers every one
When will we ever learn?
When will we ever learn?
ANALYSIS: This song was written in 1956 and recorded, it was right around the time 

the whole counterculture movement. It was created by Seeger to send a message that

all the violence isn't needed and peace is needed to grow. He was referring to 

violent public protest, war and other malicious events that occurred around that 

time.He discusses all the deaths of the soldiers and if it was really needed 

to kill that many people and if there was a point. He often repeats, "When will we

ever learn?" just showing that he is unsure when all the madness will stop. Also he

often repeats lines just trying to prove a point; that when everyone realizes

violence needs to stop the better off everyone will be when peace can begin.

I chose this song because it is protesting violence something that we have been 

talking about in class. Also because it is right around the time period as well so 

could possibly referring to the war.