All Along The Watchtower
Bob's Lyrics
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Said the joker to the thief
There's too much confusion, I can't get no relief
Businessmen, they drink my wine
Plowmen dig my earth
None of them along the line know what any of it is worth
No reason to get excited,the thief, he kindly spoke
But you and I, we've been through that, and this is not our fate
So let us not talk falsely now, the hour is getting late
All along the watchtower, princes kept the view
While all the women came and went, barefoot servants, too
Outside in the distance a wildcat did growl
Two riders were approaching, the wind began to howl
The opening lyrics of "All Along the Watchtower" by Bob Dylan paint a picture of desperation and confusion. The joker, a figure of chaos and levity, addresses the thief, who represents the darker side of humanity. Together, they acknowledge the turmoil in the world around them and express a desire to break free from it. The singer notes that even those in positions of power, like the princes atop the watchtower, are not exempt from the whims of fate. Meanwhile, the workaday people continue their labor, unaware of the larger meaning behind their toil.
The second verse of the song serves as a sort of rebuttal to the first. Another voice enters the conversation, urging the joker and thief not to lose hope. The singer acknowledges that many people view life as a joke, but insists that this outlook need not be their fate. They do not need to speak falsely or descend into despair, even as the hour grows late.
The final lines of the song introduce two new characters: two riders approaching in the distance. The wind begins to howl, adding to the sense of tension and uncertainty. The song ends on this unresolved note, as though the conclusion to this story is yet to be written.
Line by Line Meaning
There must be some way out of here
The joker expresses his desire to escape the current situation.
Said the joker to the thief
Two characters engage in a conversation with each other.
There's too much confusion, I can't get no relief
The joker feels overwhelmed and cannot find comfort.
Businessmen, they drink my wine
The joker is frustrated that others are profiting off of his resources.
Plowmen dig my earth
Even the farmers are using his land without valuing it.
None of them along the line know what any of it is worth
People do not understand the true value of what they are taking from the joker.
No reason to get excited, the thief, he kindly spoke
The thief does not see a reason to panic and offers a calming influence.
There are many here among us who feel that life is but a joke
Others share the same sentiments as the joker that life is meaningless.
But you and I, we've been through that, and this is not our fate
The joker and the thief have already experienced the feeling of hopelessness, but believe they will not be affected by it anymore.
So let us not talk falsely now, the hour is getting late
The characters should speak truthfully and take action quickly as time is running out.
All along the watchtower, princes kept the view
There are people in power overseeing and controlling everything from a distance.
While all the women came and went, barefoot servants, too
The lower-class workers, specifically women, constantly come and go without much recognition.
Outside in the distance a wildcat did growl
Nature is warning of impending danger.
Two riders were approaching, the wind began to howl
Two unknown entities are approaching, and the situation is becoming more dangerous than before.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Bob Dylan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@gerru_san
Lyrics:
"There must be some way out of here"
Said the joker to the thief
"There's too much confusion
I can't get no relief
Businessmen, they drink my wine
Plowmen dig my earth
None of them along the line
Know what any of it is worth"
"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 you and I, we've been through that
And this is not our fate
So let us not talk falsely now
The hour is getting late"
All along the watchtower
Princes kept the view
While all the women came and went
Barefoot servants too
Outside, in the distance
A wildcat did growl
Two riders were approaching
The wind began to howl
@anthonybramante2921
Dylan's version is for the morning, and Hendrix's version is for the evening
@elkeesandoval2877
neil youngs version for lunch
@reynewdawn
Yes the vibes it is
@ajaypalsinghbhatti8901
Me thinking it's the other way around
@albertgrant1017
So true !
@claudesaintpierre7352
Bryan Ferry's 10 pm; Neil Young's 12 pm; etc
@Velleosu
"It's Jimi's song, I just wrote it" - Bob Dylan
edit: both songs are good in their own ways!
@farkoduomah5120
thing is,this is a lyrical masterpeice,and jimi's guitar didn't really let the lyrics shine,check the forest rangers cover mate,a real midnight treat.
@nickmeale1957
@@farkoduomah5120 I will do that, thanks youtuber
@liamryan7239
But this one is better tho