Three Folk Lyrics That Still Ask Big Questions

Different genres of music serve different purposes; this is not a profound take, but rather a simple truth. Pop music serves as sonic and physical entertainment, rock music as a release, and folk music as a cerebral experience that makes you stare reality in the face and shake it down for answers. Though they are rarely ever given in such a straightforward manner. Here are three folk lyrics from the 1960s that still probably leave you asking yourself some awfully big questions.

“Masters of War” by Bob Dylan

“You fasten all the triggers / For the others to fire / Then you sit back and watch / When the death count gets higher”

In his earlier years, Bob Dylan consistently challenged the powerful figures responsible for unethical politics and social events. His 1963 single, “Masters Of war,” exemplifies this. While appearing as a typical protest song of the 1960s, Dylan invites listeners to engage in a deeper internal dialog. He doesn’t simply protest war; he questions the individuals who support, perpetuate, and profit from it.

We won’t provide answers to the questions Dylan raises. Rather, we highlight the song’s thought-provoking nature. Dylan urges you to consider the character of those who create war,benefit from it,and their motivations. Food for thought.

“Leaves That Are green” by Simon & Garfunkel

“And I see the leaves are green / And the sun is shining / And I feel a sadness / That I can’t explain”

Simon & Garfunkel often explored themes of alienation and the search for meaning in their music. “Leaves That Are Green,” released in 1966, presents a seemingly simple observation of nature juxtaposed with an inexplicable sadness. This contrast forces listeners to confront the complexities of human emotion and the often-unexplained feelings that arise even in moments of beauty.

The song doesn’t offer a reason for the sadness, leaving it open to interpretation. Is it a commentary on the fleeting nature of life? A reflection of societal anxieties? Or simply a recognition of the inherent melancholy that can coexist with joy? The power of the lyrics lies in their ambiguity and their ability to resonate with individual experiences.

“Universal Soldier” by Bufford hughes

“he’s a universal soldier / He really is / He’s a universal soldier / And he’s fighting for everyone and no one”

Bufford Hughes’s “Universal Soldier,” released in 1964, offers a stark and unsettling portrayal of the individual caught within the machinery of war. The song’s central metaphor-the “universal soldier”-represents anyone who participates in conflict, regardless of their nationality or ideology. This soldier is not driven by patriotism or conviction, but by a blind obedience to authority.

Hughes’s lyrics challenge the romanticized notions of heroism and sacrifice frequently enough associated with war.The universal soldier is a pawn, fighting for abstract concepts and ultimately serving no one’s true interests. The song compels listeners to question the motivations behind conflict and the responsibility of individuals within a larger system of violence.