About the song
“Where Have All the Flowers Gone?” is a poignant anti-war song from the 1960s, crafted by Pete Seeger and Joe Hickerson. The song adapts a traditional American folk melody and is inspired by a Ukrainian folk song mentioned in Mikhail Sholokhov’s novel, *And Quiet Flows the Don*. Seeger’s initial encounter with the song’s inspiration came while he was en route to a concert. He discovered a verse that reflected on the cyclical nature of war and its impact on society. Seeger adapted this verse to fit a traditional American tune known as “Drill, Ye Tarriers, Drill” and recorded it as part of a medley on his album *Rainbow Quest*. Though he initially overlooked the song, Joe Hickerson later contributed additional verses, expanding its powerful message.
The song gained widespread recognition when The Kingston Trio recorded it in 1961, though they later withdrew their claim to the songwriting credits at Seeger’s request. The single reached number 21 on the charts and helped cement the song’s place in the folk music canon. Following this, other prominent artists such as Peter, Paul and Mary and Joan Baez recorded the song, further popularizing it.
The song’s hauntingly simple lyrics explore the devastating effects of war through a repetitive, almost nursery rhyme-like structure. It begins with the question, “Where have all the flowers gone?” and follows a progression through various stages: the flowers are picked by girls, the girls leave to marry soldiers, the soldiers go to war, and eventually, the soldiers die. In the final verse, the graves of the soldiers become the flowers, suggesting a never-ending cycle of loss and renewal.
In 1962, Marlene Dietrich also contributed to the song’s legacy by recording it in German under the title “Sag’ mir, wo die Blumen sind,” with lyrics translated by Max Colpet. Dietrich’s rendition in multiple languages, including English and French, highlighted the song’s universal appeal and enduring relevance. The lyrics poignantly question when people will finally understand the true cost of conflict, making it a powerful anti-war anthem that resonates across generations.
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Lyrics
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 have picked them every one
Oh, when will they ever learn?
Oh, 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 husbands every one
Oh, when will they ever learn?
Oh, when will they ever learn?
Where have all the husbands gone?
Long time passing
Where have all the husbands gone?
Long time ago
Where have all the husbands gone?
Gone for soldiers every one
Oh, when will they ever learn?
Oh, 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
Oh, when will they ever learn?
Oh, 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 everyone
Oh, when will they ever learn?
Oh, when will they ever learn?
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 have picked them every one
Oh, when will they ever learn?
Oh, when will they ever learn?