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All Along the Watchtower
The Jimi Hendrix Experience Lyrics


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There must be some kind of way outta here
Said the joker to the thief
There's too much confusion
I can't get no relief

Business men, they drink my wine
Plowmen dig my earth
None will level on the line
Nobody offered his word
Hey, hey

No reason to get excited
The thief, he kindly spoke
There are many here among us
Who feel that life is but a joke
But, uh, but you and I, we've been through that
And this is not our fate
So let us stop talkin' falsely now
The hour's getting late, hey

Hey

All along the watchtower
Princes kept the view
While all the women came and went
Barefoot servants, too
Well, uh, outside in the cold distance
A wildcat did growl
Two riders were approaching
And the wind began to howl, hey

All along the watchtower

All along the watchtower

Overall Meaning

The song All Along the Watchtower by The Jimi Hendrix Experience is a mysterious and intriguing piece of music that leaves much to the interpretation of the listener. At its core, the lyrics seem to describe a conversation between a joker and a thief. The joker expresses his desire to find a way out of the current situation, as there is too much confusion, and he can't find any relief. Meanwhile, the thief responds with a sense of resignation, explaining that there are many people who believe that life is a joke, but they have already been down that road, and their fate is different.


Throughout the song, there is a sense of unease and danger lurking in the background, represented by the image of the riders approaching in the cold distance and the howling wind. The message of the song is somewhat ambiguous, but it seems to suggest that there is no escaping the chaos and confusion of life, and that we must all face it in our own way. The reference to a watchtower adds to the sense of unease, as if we are being watched or monitored by some unseen force.


Overall, All Along the Watchtower is a haunting and mysterious song that encourages the listener to reflect on the uncertainties and dangers of life.


Line by Line Meaning

There must be some kind of way outta here
The singer is expressing a feeling of entrapment and is searching for a way to escape the current situation.


Said the joker to the thief
The singer is using imagery of a joker and a thief to represent different perspectives on life.


There's too much confusion
The singer feels overwhelmed by the chaos and disorder in the world around them.


I can't get no relief
The artist feels like they are unable to find any respite or escape from the turmoil they are experiencing.


Business men, they drink my wine
The artist feels exploited by those in positions of power and influence who take advantage of their resources.


Plowmen dig my earth
The singer is referencing a common social hierarchy where those who work the land are often viewed as lesser than those who do not.


None will level on the line
The singer feels like there is no fairness or equality in society; everyone is judged and valued based on their position.


Nobody offered his word
The artist feels isolated and alone in their struggle and has not received any support or comfort from others.


No reason to get excited
Despite the current situation, the artist is urging themselves and others not to lose their composure and to remain calm.


The thief, he kindly spoke
The artist is once again using imagery of a thief to represent a different perspective on life.


There are many here among us
The singer acknowledges that there are others who share their feelings and experiences.


Who feel that life is but a joke
The artist feels that life has no real meaning or purpose and is meaningless.


But, uh, but you and I, we've been through that
The singer is sharing a bond with someone who has also experienced the feeling of life being meaningless.


And this is not our fate
Despite feeling trapped and overwhelmed, the singer believes that they have the power to change their life's path.


So let us stop talkin' falsely now
The singer is urging themselves and others to be honest with themselves and to stop pretending that everything is okay.


The hour's getting late, hey
The artist feels that time is running out and they need to make a change soon, or it will be too late.


All along the watchtower
The artist is using the image of a watchtower to represent a place of observation and vigilance.


Princes kept the view
The singer is referencing the social hierarchy and how those in power often have the best view of the world and can see things more clearly.


While all the women came and went
The singer is acknowledging the gendered roles of society, where women are often viewed as inferior and are not allowed to occupy positions of power.


Barefoot servants, too
Similarly to the women, the artist is acknowledging the exploitation of those who are viewed as lower in the social hierarchy.


Well, uh, outside in the cold distance
The artist is using imagery of distance and coldness to represent something dangerous and ominous.


A wildcat did growl
The growling wildcat represents a foreshadowing of danger and potential harm.


Two riders were approaching
The two approaching riders represent a new challenge or obstacle that the singer will have to face and overcome.


And the wind began to howl, hey
The howling wind represents the chaotic and unpredictable nature of life and how it can throw unexpected challenges at us at any time.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Bob Dylan

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@Reedc16

Lyrics:
There must be some kind of way outta here
Said the joker to the thief
There's too much confusion
I can't get no relief
Business men, they drink my wine
Plowmen dig my earth
None will level on the line
Nobody offered his word
Hey, hey
No reason to get excited
The thief, he kindly spoke
There are many here among us
Who feel that life is but a joke
But, uh, but you and I, we've been through that
And this is not our fate
So let us stop talkin' falsely now
The hour's getting late, hey
Hey
All along the watchtower
Princes kept the view
While all the women came and went
Barefoot servants, too
Well, uh, outside in the cold distance
A wildcat did growl
Two riders were approaching
And the wind began to howl, hey
All along the watchtower
All along the watchtower



All comments from YouTube:

@balakay5092

Hendrix never died. Earth was just part of his tour.

@BoKnowsBrains

watch the watch towers

@fpa417

dont know about anyone else but putting LMAO after a joke ruins it for me. LMAO

@hi-wm7tb

@@fpa417 being a jojo fan ruins any chance at being funny

@kevinheatcoat2190

Coronavirus.

@awhahoo

@@fpa417 I laughed at the joke don't worry about crusty toe he became steelydan 2.0

539 More Replies...

@Daniel-ts3uy

Bob Dylan himself said it after 1st hearing Jimi perform "All Along The Watchtower" - "It's Jimi's song now". Humble guy.

@BoosterPolitics

There could have been no greater compliment RIP Jimi and Mitch

@janpierzchala2004

Unfortunately this is also the best Jimmi song and it is not even his

@jpeerless111

Gordon Lightfoot once said that about me about "Early Morning Rain." I watched his documentary. He seems like a good person to me. If I could shake all these hitters, maybe I could make some cash...

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