All Along The Watchtower
Dave Matthews Band Lyrics

There must be some way out of here
The current situation is not ideal, and therefore there has to be some solution to this problem.

Said the joker to the thief
This phrase represents the conversation between two characters, one of whom is a trickster and the other is a criminal.

There's too much confusion
The situation is very chaotic and/or unclear.

I can't get no relief
The character is feeling hopeless and helpless, and sees no escape from their situation.

Business men they
This line represents a group of people who are typically involved in commerce or finance.

Drink my wine
These businessmen are enjoying the fruits of the character's labor.

There plowmen dig my earth
This is another group of laborers who are working for the character but not receiving the rewards of their work.

None of them along the line
No one involved in this process really understands the value of what they are working for.

Know what any of it's worth
No one involved in this process really understands the value of what they are working for.

No reason to get excited
There is no need to feel anxious or worked up about the current situation.

The thief he kindly spoke
The criminal is attempting to calm down the trickster.

There are many among us
There are many people in the world who feel the same way.

Who feel that life is but a joke
These people feel that life is meaningless and/or ridiculous.

But you and I we've been through all that, yes we have
The two characters speaking have already been through experiences where they felt similarly, but have come out the other side.

And this is not our fate
They believe that they are not destined to be stuck in this situation forever.

So let us not talk falsely now
They are encouraging each other to be honest and genuine.

The hour is getting late
Time is running out to change the current situation.

And all along the watchtower
The two characters see themselves as watchmen, keeping watch over the current state of affairs.

Princes kept the view
Leaders are watching and potentially making decisions that affect the characters' lives.

While all the women all the women all the women came and went
Women are seen as temporary and fleeting within this environment.

Barefoot servants too
There are people working for the characters who are not necessarily in a position to benefit from their work.

Outside in the cold distance
The events described are taking place in a distant, cold place.

A wild cat did growl, la la la
This is adding some sound effects to the scene, and building tension.

Two riders, two riders approaching
There are two additional people coming closer to the characters, potentially bringing trouble or help.

The wind began to howl
This adds to the tension and instability of the moment.

The thief he take
The criminal is taking something from the character, potentially causing harm.

My money take
Specifically, the criminal is taking the character's money.

Am I insane
The character is questioning their own mental state in response to the situation.

Auf wiedersehen
This is a farewell phrase in German, adding some international flavor to the scene.

The thief is safe
The criminal has taken what they wanted and is now out of harm's way.