All Along the Watchtower
Jimi Hendrix Lyrics
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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
Jimi Hendrix's song All Along the Watchtower is a song that is typically interpreted as confronting the social and political dilemmas of the society during the 1960s. The lyrics, "There must be some kind of way outta here, said the joker to the thief" suggests that the singer is questioning the realities of life, and how to overcome them. The joker represents confusion and the thief represents deceitfulness, and they both want to find a way out of the confusion they are experiencing. The singer continues to explain that "business men drink my wine, plowmen dig my earth", which indicates the social classes and how they were not equal, and the rich controlled the poor.
The second verse continues with the theme of social injustice, and the confusion surrounding the purpose of life. The thief speaks again, stating "there are many here among us who feel that life is but a joke". However, despite the confusion and the belief that life is a joke, the singer explains that they have been through this before and that it is not their fate to continue living in confusion. They urge everyone to stop talking falsely, because time is running out.
In the third verse, Hendrix describes the scene at the watchtower, where princes keep watch while barefoot servants come and go. The wildcat's growl in the distance is an ominous sign, and as two riders approach, the wind begins to howl. The watchtower could symbolize a place of power, where those in charge keep an eye on everything that is going on, yet they are seemingly ignorant to the social injustices happening around them.
Overall, All Along the Watchtower is a commentary on the social and political atmosphere of the 1960s, with a focus on the confusion and injustices that people faced. The lyrics suggest that there is a need for change and for people to stop talking falsely while time is running out.
Line by Line Meaning
There must be some kind of way outta here
The singer is desperately looking for a way to escape from their current situation.
Said the joker to the thief
The singer is addressing someone who is not trustworthy or reliable.
There's too much confusion
The situation is unclear and difficult to understand.
I can't get no relief
The artist is unable to find any comfort or peace in their current circumstances.
Business men, they drink my wine
The artist is being taken advantage of by people in power.
Plowmen dig my earth
The singer's work is being taken for granted by others who benefit from it.
None will level on the line
No one wants to work together to solve the problem.
Nobody offered his word
No one is making a promise or commitment to help.
No reason to get excited
The artist is trying to remain calm and level-headed in the midst of chaos.
The thief, he kindly spoke
Even someone who is not trustworthy can be compassionate and understanding.
There are many here among us
Others are in the same difficult situation as the singer.
Who feel that life is but a joke
Some people may see life as meaningless or not worth taking seriously.
But, uh, but you and I, we've been through that
The singer and the person they are addressing have experienced similar struggles in the past.
And this is not our fate
The singer is hopeful that their situation will not be permanent.
So let us stop talkin' falsely now
It's important to be honest and direct in order to solve the problem.
The hour's getting late, hey
Time is running out to find a solution.
Princes kept the view
People in positions of power are watching over the situation, but not necessarily taking action to help.
While all the women came and went
People who are more vulnerable or marginalized are being overlooked or ignored.
Barefoot servants, too
Even those who are doing the most menial and difficult work are being disregarded and mistreated.
Well, uh, outside in the cold distance
Something is happening far away from where the artist is currently situated.
A wildcat did growl
Something dangerous or unpredictable is happening.
Two riders were approaching
Two unknown individuals are coming closer.
And the wind began to howl, hey
The situation is becoming more intense and emotionally charged.
All along the watchtower
The artist is observing the situation from a position of relative safety, but is still unable to take action to change it.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Bob Dylan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@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
@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...