Where Have All the Flowers Gone?

Pete Seeger

About Where Have All the Flowers Gone?

"Where Have All the Flowers Gone?" is a modern folk-style song. The melody and the first three verses were written by Pete Seeger in 1955 and published in Sing Out! magazine. Additional verses were added in May 1960 by Joe Hickerson, who turned it into a circular song. Its rhetorical "where?" and meditation on death place the song in the ubi sunt tradition. In 2010, the New Statesman listed it as one of the "Top 20 Political Songs". The 1964 release of the song as a Columbia Records Hall of Fame series 45 single, 13-33088, by Pete Seeger was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2002 in the Folk category.  


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Where have all the flowers gone?
Long time passing.
Where have all the flowers gone?
Long time ago.
Where have all the flowers gone?
The girls have picked them every one.
Oh, When will you ever learn?
Oh, When will you ever learn?

Young girls
They've taken husbands every one.

Young men
They're all in uniform.

Soldiers
They've gone to graveyards every one.

Graveyards
They're covered with flowers every one.

Flowers
Young girls have picked them every one.

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Pete Seeger

Peter "Pete" Seeger (born May 3, 1919) is an iconic American folk singer. A fixture on nationwide radio in the 1940s, he also had a string of hit records during the early 1950s as a member of The Weavers, most notably their recording of Lead Belly's "Goodnight, Irene", which topped the charts for 13 weeks in 1950. Members of The Weavers were blacklisted during the McCarthy Era. In the 1960s, he re-emerged on the public scene as a prominent singer of protest music in support of international disarmament, civil rights, and environmental causes. more »

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Written by: Peter Seeger

Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Creation
"Where Have All the Flowers Gone?" was written by Pete Seeger in 1955. It is considered one of the greatest songs in folk music genre.
Inspiration
The song was inspired by a passage from a Ukrainian folk song mentioned in the novel 'And Quiet Flows the Don' by Mikhail Sholokhov.
Theme
The song is an anti-war ballad, highlighting the destruction and futility of war. It emphasizes the cyclical nature of violence and the unending pain it inflicts.
Popularity
The song became a hit for several artists, with many interpretations becoming popular in various regions across the globe. Notable covers include versions by The Kingston Trio, Joan Baez, and many others.
Recognition
The song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2002, indicating its cultural significance and enduring popularity.
Extension
Originally, the song only had three verses. However, additional verses were later added by Joe Hickerson in 1960.
Versions
Besides English, the song has been covered in several languages including French, German, Italian, and Spanish, showing its universal appeal and power.
Usage in Film and TV
The song was used in various films and television programs, most notably in the 1997 film 'A Life Less Ordinary' and the 2005 film 'Mad Hot Ballroom'.
Political Use
Due to its anti-war sentiment, this song became an anthem for the peace movement during the 1960s, especially throughout the Vietnam War.
Pete Seeger's Legacy
The global appreciation and impact of "Where Have All The Flowers Gone?" symbolizes Pete Seeger's profound influence in folk and protest music. The song continues to be admired for its timeless message against war.

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