All Along The Watchtower
Indigo Girls Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

"There must be some kinda way out of here"
Oh, said the joker to the thief
I want to tell you now there's just too much confusion
And I can't, no, I can't get no relief

Ah, these businessmen, they all, they drink our wine
And the plowman, well, he dig my earth
And you know that ah none of them along the line
Can show me what any of this is worth
You know we wanted to see it now, didn't we? Didn't we?

"There ain't no reason to get excited"
Ah, the thief, you know he kindly spoke
Well, now there are those among us right here, right now
Who still see life as some kind of a joke

But you and I, we have been through that
I tell you that this, this is not our fate, no no no
Now, let us all not talk falsely now
You know the hour, well, it's getting late

I said all along the watchtower, the princes, they kept the view
While the women, the women, they came and then they went
Oh, and the barefoot servants too, that's me, that's you
But outside there's a cold distance
Listen for the wildcats, here them growl
Two riders were approaching as the wind began to howl

Oh, there are those among us right here, right now
Who still see life as some kind of a joke
All along the watchtower, said, all along this watchtower
Those of you who still have eyes to see, ears hear me

You will be saved by grace in the end
Saved by time if you don't understand
That your hatred is rooted in your fear
And your paranoia and insecurities
Well, they don't belong here

You got to take someones hand
You got to learn to make your stand
And it's a one, two, three, four
Look at the sky, you can open the door
And take my hand, take my hand, take my hand

Ah, don't you want to touch
Don't you want to feel
Don't you know that this is real
I said shelter me, shelter me
Shelter me, shelter me

And save yourself, save yourself
Save, save, save
Save, save, save
Save, save, save
Save, save

And you, and you
And you are a part of the world
You, you, you are a part of the world
You gotta learn to touch, to feel
You know that you are real




I said, learn learn
You are a part of the world

Overall Meaning

The song "All Along the Watchtower" starts with the words "There must be some kind of way out of here," which is an acknowledgment that the world can be a confusing and frustrating place. The joker is a reference to chaos and disorder, while the thief stands for the oppressive forces that exist in the world. The Joker is seeking a way out of the confusion and frustration he experiences, but he never finds it. The song suggests that he, like many others, is caught up in a cycle of frustration and despair.


The second verse focuses on the false sense of importance that people place on material things. The line "these businessmen, they all, they drink our wine" suggests that the wealthy are taking advantage of the working class, while the farmers are left to do the hard work. The song points out that nobody along the line can explain what any of it is worth or why it matters. The third verse, on the other hand, encourages people to stay focused on what's important, namely to not give up hope, even when things seem bleak.


Line by Line Meaning

There must be some kinda way out of here
The singer is overwhelmed with confusion and seeks a way out of their current situation.


Oh, said the joker to the thief
Two characters, the joker and the thief, are engaged in a conversation.


I want to tell you now there's just too much confusion
The singer reiterates their confusion and distress.


And I can't, no, I can't get no relief
Despite their efforts, the artist is unable to find solace.


Ah, these businessmen, they all, they drink our wine
The artist laments the exploitation of their resources by businessmen.


And the plowman, well, he dig my earth
The singer acknowledges the laborer's role in cultivating the land they reside on.


And you know that ah none of them along the line
None of those who have taken advantage of the singer can explain the true value of their actions.


Can show me what any of this is worth
The artist seeks meaning and justification for the actions of those who have wronged them.


You know we wanted to see it now, didn't we? Didn't we?
The artist is disappointed that their expectations have not been met.


"There ain't no reason to get excited"
The thief warns against impulsivity and knee-jerk reactions.


Ah, the thief, you know he kindly spoke
The thief seems to be offering advice in a gentle manner.


Well, now there are those among us right here, right now
The artist is addressing their current audience.


Who still see life as some kind of a joke
There are those who don't take life seriously, according to the singer.


But you and I, we have been through that
The singer and the listener have both experienced the non-seriousness of life before.


I tell you that this, this is not our fate, no no no
The singer seems to believe that seriousness in life is their fate, rather than being a joke.


Now, let us all not talk falsely now
The artist asks for honesty from their listeners.


You know the hour, well, it's getting late
There is a sense of urgency to act, as time is running out.


I said all along the watchtower, the princes, they kept the view
The singer is referencing a location where princes keep watch, observing activity from afar.


While the women, the women, they came and then they went
The women are depicted as transitory figures.


Oh, and the barefoot servants too, that's me, that's you
The artist identifies themself, and the listener, as the underprivileged and exploited.


But outside there's a cold distance
There is a detachment from the rest of the world outside the watchtower.


Listen for the wildcats, here them growl
The artist warns of danger, in the form of wildcats.


Two riders were approaching as the wind began to howl
There are ominous characters approaching, indicated by the wind howling.


Oh, there are those among us right here, right now
The artist again addresses their current audience.


Who still see life as some kind of a joke
They reiterate their disdain for those who don't take life seriously.


All along the watchtower, said, all along this watchtower
The watchtower remains a symbol of observation and detachment.


Those of you who still have eyes to see, ears hear me
The singer is challenging their listeners to pay attention and understand their message.


You will be saved by grace in the end
The artist offers hope for salvation in the future, perhaps beyond this life.


Saved by time if you don't understand
If one doesn't comprehend or act upon the message, time will save them regardless.


That your hatred is rooted in your fear
The singer believes that hate stems from fear.


And your paranoia and insecurities
The singer believes that paranoia and insecurity contribute to hate.


Well, they don't belong here
There is no place for hate, paranoia, or insecurity in the artist's vision of the world.


You got to take someones hand
The artist encourages interpersonal connection.


You got to learn to make your stand
The artist urges the listener to stand up for what they believe in.


And it's a one, two, three, four
The singer seems to be counting, possibly indicating the beginning of an action.


Look at the sky, you can open the door
The artist encourages taking a broad perspective in order to find opportunities.


And take my hand, take my hand, take my hand
The singer is offering assistance and guidance to the listener.


Ah, don't you want to touch
The singer is asking the listener to desire connection and intimacy.


Don't you want to feel
The singer is encouraging the listener to experience emotion empathetically.


Don't you know that this is real
The artist affirms the importance of the moment and reality of their message.


I said shelter me, shelter me
The artist is asking for protection or support.


And save yourself, save yourself
The singer also encourages self-care and self-protection.


Save, save, save
The singer emphasizes the importance of saving oneself.


And you, and you
Again, the artist is addressing their listeners.


And you are a part of the world
The artist reminds their listeners of their own inherent connection to the world around them.


You, you, you are a part of the world
The artist reiterates this message for emphasis.


You gotta learn to touch, to feel
The singer encourages a deeper, more empathetic way of experiencing the world around them.


You know that you are real
The artist affirms the reality of the listener's existence.


I said, learn learn
The singer emphasizes that this message is one of learning and personal growth.


You are a part of the world
Once again, the singer reminds the listener of their connection to the world around them.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Bob Dylan

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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