in remembrance….

On Friday I attended a celebration at the children’s school for Remembrance Day. Yes, in Catholic schools, we call gatherings of students, staff & parents a “celebration”. Actually, it is my favorite celebration because I think the school does a nice job of helping its little learners understand what Remembrance Day is all about. They invite members of the Canadian Armed Forces as guest speakers, they sing songs, recite John McCray’s poem……… and pray. And I love how the emphasis is on peace in our world.

One of the songs chosen for this year’s celebration was Bob Dylan’s “Blowin’ in the Wind”. Originally written in 1962, this song’s message resonates as much in 2007 as it did in 1962. Dylan performed this song for Pope John Paul II and the Pope commented on its powerful message. It sure was beautiful to hear an auditorium full of elementary school children sing this song. I saw many parents dabbing their eyes with tissue.

How many roads must a man walk down
Before you call him a man?
Yes, ‘n’ how many seas must a white dove sail
Before she sleeps in the sand?
Yes, ‘n’ how many times must the cannon balls fly
Before they’re forever banned?
The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind,
The answer is blowin’ in the wind.

How many times must a man look up
Before he can see the sky?
Yes, ‘n’ how many ears must one man have
Before he can hear people cry?
Yes, ‘n’ how many deaths will it take till he knows
That too many people have died?
The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind,
The answer is blowin’ in the wind.

How many years can a mountain exist
Before it’s washed to the sea?
Yes, ‘n’ how many years can some people exist
Before they’re allowed to be free?
Yes, ‘n’ how many times can a man turn his head,
Pretending he just doesn’t see?
The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind,
The answer is blowin’ in the wind.