All along The Watchtower
Hendrix (Jimi) 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
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
The song "All Along The Watchtower" by Jimi Hendrix talks about the confusion and chaos that exist in the world, and how that has stifled people's ability to find solace and peace. The joker and the thief are two people who have been struggling to find a way out of the mess that surrounds them. They have witnessed the backwardsness of those in positions of power, and have found little comfort in their own lives.
The song uses metaphors and symbolism to convey its message. The joker and the thief represent the oppressed, while the princes are the powerful, and the barefoot servants are the working class. Hendrix uses this imagery to suggest that regardless of one's social status, everyone is searching for a way out of the chaos. The line "there must be some kind of way outta here" speaks to this idea.
The final stanza of the song suggests that change is coming. The howling wind and the approaching riders indicate that a new era is on the horizon, and that the old ways of doing things will soon cave under the pressure of the new. Hendrix's lyrics are insightful and thought-provoking, and remain relevant today, more than 50 years after the song was written.
Line by Line Meaning
There must be some kind of way outta here
The singer feels trapped and is looking for an escape.
Said the joker to the thief
Two characters are having a conversation and the joker is speaking to the thief.
There's too much confusion
The situation is chaotic and unclear.
I can't get no relief
The artist is unable to find any respite or comfort.
Business men, they drink my wine
The artist is being taken advantage of by wealthy individuals.
Plowmen dig my earth
Even common laborers are also exploiting the singer in some way.
None will level on the line
No one is treating the singer with fairness or equality.
Nobody offered his word
No one is offering to help the artist or speak up for them.
No reason to get excited
The artist believes there is no cause for alarm or enthusiasm.
The thief, he kindly spoke
The thief interrupts the conversation and speaks in a friendly tone.
There are many here among us
There are a lot of people around us who are not taking life seriously.
Who feel that life is but a joke
Many people see life as something not to be taken seriously.
But, uh, but you and I, we've been through that
The singer has already experienced this feeling.
And this is not our fate
The situation will not determine the singer's future.
So let us stop talkin' falsely now
The singer urges everyone to be truthful with themselves.
The hour's getting late, hey
Time is running out and people need to take action.
All along the watchtower
The location of the conversation shifts from inside to the outside.
Princes kept the view
The wealthy and powerful are overlooking everyone else's struggles.
While all the women came and went
The women are disappearing into the background without their stories being told.
Barefoot servants, too
Even the most vulnerable are being ignored and oppressed.
Well, uh, outside in the cold distance
Something ominous is happening in the distance.
A wildcat did growl
The growl of a wildcat signifies danger or a potential attack.
Two riders were approaching
Two unidentified people are coming closer.
And the wind began to howl, hey
The environment is becoming intense and unpredictable.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Bob Dylan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind