All along The Watchtower
Bob Dylan / Grateful Dead 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 lyrics of Bob Dylan and Grateful Dead's "All Along The Watchtower" have a deeper meaning than what meets the eye. The song narrates a conversation between the joker and the thief, discussing the chaos and confusion in the world. The first verse highlights the sense of hopelessness that people feel, as they search for a way out of the chaos but cannot seem to find one. The joker and thief's conversation highlights the different lifestyles that people lead and the inequality in society.
In the second verse, the thief tries to calm the joker by pointing out that they have been through similar situations before and that they will overcome it. The verse also points out the irony of life, as some people view it as a joke while others view it with utmost seriousness. The message of the song is to not speak wrongly and to be mindful of the time, as the hour is getting late, and time is running out.
The final verse of the song talks about the chaos outside, with the wildcat growling and two riders approaching. This verse symbolizes that the world is in a state of turmoil, and change is coming. The wind beginning to howl highlights the severity of the situation.
Line by Line Meaning
There must be some way out of here
The joker expresses his desire to find a solution to his problems.
Said the joker to the thief
The joker addresses the thief, suggesting that they are both in a difficult situation.
There's too much confusion
The joker highlights the overwhelming amount of chaos and uncertainty he's experiencing.
I can't get no relief
The joker is frustrated with his inability to find comfort or peace in his current situation.
Businessmen, they drink my wine
The joker is resentful of wealthy people who enjoy his possessions without any care or consideration.
Plowmen dig my earth
The joker acknowledges the laborers who work hard on the land he owns.
None of them along the line
Despite interacting with different people, none of them seem to understand the situation or see its worth.
Know what any of it is worth
The joker recognizes that no one has an understanding of the true value or importance of what's happening.
No reason to get excited
The thief is attempting to calm the joker's anxiousness over the situation.
The thief he kindly spoke
The thief is speaking to the joker in a gentle and compassionate manner.
There are many here among us
The thief identifies that there are plenty of people present who feel disillusioned with life.
Who feel that life is but a joke
These individuals believe that life is not meaningful or serious, but rather comedic and trivial.
But you and I, we've been through that
The thief refers to a shared experience of their past attitudes about life.
And this is not our fate
The thief assures the joker that their current situation is not permanent.
So let us not talk falsely now
The thief encourages the joker to be truthful about their feelings and concerns.
The hour is getting late
The thief emphasizes that time is running out and they need to act soon.
All along the watchtower
The setting of the song is described as a place where a group is watching the surrounding area for danger or potential threats.
Princes kept the view
Those in power or with wealth were assigned to oversee the watchtower.
While all the women came and went
Women were present but not participating in guarding the area.
Barefoot servants, too
Lower class individuals were also present and on watch duty.
Outside in the distance
The song shifts focus to events happening outside of the watchtower.
A wildcat did growl
The joker hears a threatening noise of an animal in the distance.
Two riders were approaching
The joker notices two people coming towards the watchtower.
The wind began to howl
The weather changes, with the wind picking up and growing stronger.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Bob Dylan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind