Mr. Write's Page

Folk music — being the music of, like, you know, folks — has been around for a big chunk of human history. I used to think it was invented in America in the 1950s by The Limelighters and The Kingston Trio; I was young and ill-informed.

Folk music was indeed riding high in those days. Good artists abounded — Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Peter, Paul & Mary, The Brothers Four.

But after the Beatles came on the scene in the early 60s, and after Dylan went electric (gasp) in 1965, it was the end of the American folk music phenomenon. Before long, the folk genre was totally steamrolled by rock and roll.

But it was fun while it lasted.

“Where Have All the Flowers Gone” is a thoughtful ballad from the folk era. The lyrics came from two different people. The first three verses were written in 1955 by Pete Seeger. In 1960, Joe Hickerson added the remaining verses, allowing the song to come full circle. Pretty clever, actually.

Lots of people have recorded it. I like the Kingston Trio’s version best, probably because it was so popular in my youth.

Where Have All the Flowers Gone?

By the Kingston Trio, 1961
Written by Pete Seeger and Joe Hickerson

Where have all the flowers gone?
Long time passing.
Where have all the flowers gone?
Long time ago.
Where have all the flowers gone?
Young girls 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?
Gone for young men, 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?
A long, 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?
Gone to flowers, every one.
When will they ever learn?
When will they ever learn?