All Along the Watch Tower
Jimmy Hendrix Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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 will level on the line
Nobody offered his word, 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 not talk 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 wild cat did growl
Two riders were approaching
And the wind began to howl, hey!
All along the watchtower
All along the watchtower
The opening line, "There must be some kind of way out of here", sets the tone of the song as a quest for liberation or escape. The joker and the thief are emblematic figures who both represent different methods of breaking free from the social conventions and rules that have trapped them. The joker, in his unconventional and irreverent behavior, seeks to undermine the established order and create a new reality on his own terms. The thief, on the other hand, is more of a trickster figure, who seeks to manipulate the existing power structures to his advantage. The two characters' desire to break free is heightened by the sense of confusion and chaos that surrounds them, described in the second line: "There's too much confusion, I can't get no relief."
The second stanza, starting with "No reason to get excited", sees the thief responding to the joker's plea for help with a reminder that many people feel that life is just a joke. However, he goes on to reassure the joker that they have both been through difficult times and that they have the strength to overcome their current situation. This leads him to urge the joker to "not talk falsely now", as if he perceives a risk that the joker may be too caught up in his own fantasies to see clearly.
The song's title, "All Along the Watchtower", appears in the final stanza, which describes a scene where princes are watching over a place or a realm, while women and servants are passing by. The wild cat growling in the distance and the two riders approaching in the wind add to the sense of tension and impending danger. Taken as a whole, "All Along the Watchtower" can be seen as an allegory for the human struggle for freedom and agency in the face of oppressive social and political systems.
Line by Line Meaning
There must be some kind of way out of here
The joker is saying that he feels trapped and is looking for a way out of his current situation.
Said the joker to the thief
The joker is speaking to the thief, possibly hoping that he can help him find a way out.
There's too much confusion
The joker is feeling overwhelmed by the chaos around him.
I can't get no relief
The joker is saying that he has not been able to find any respite from the turmoil he is experiencing.
Businessmen, they drink my wine
The joker feels that wealthy and powerful people are taking advantage of him.
Plowmen dig my earth
Even working-class people exploit the joker in some way.
None will level on the line
Despite their differences in status, nobody seems willing to help the joker find a way out of his predicament.
Nobody offered his word, hey!
The joker feels that he is all alone in his struggle, with no one willing to speak up on his behalf.
No reason to get excited
The thief tries to calm the joker down, telling him there is no need to panic.
The thief, he kindly spoke
The thief speaks to the joker in a friendly and sympathetic manner.
There are many here among us
The thief acknowledges that there are others who share the joker's feelings.
Who feel that life is but a joke, but, uh
Some people view life as pointless or absurd, but the thief may not hold this view.
But you and I, we've been through that
The thief and joker have experienced difficult times before and are familiar with the feeling of helplessness.
And this is not our fate
The thief is hopeful that they can escape their current situation.
So let us not talk falsely now
The thief urges the joker to be honest with him and refrain from lying or exaggerating.
The hour's getting late, hey!
Time is running out, and they need to act quickly.
All along the watchtower
This phrase represents the place where the joker and thief are positioned, looking out for danger.
Princes kept the view
The wealthy and powerful watch over the less fortunate, keeping an eye on them.
While all the women came and went
Women come and go in life, sometimes without warning or explanation.
Barefoot servants too
Those with little power or social standing are also subject to the scrutiny of the powerful.
Well, uh, outside in the cold distance
Something ominous is happening far away from the watchtower.
A wild cat did growl
This may be an omen of something dangerous or unpredictable.
Two riders were approaching
Two people, possibly enemies, are approaching the joker and thief's location.
And the wind began to howl, hey!
This could signify an impending storm or a sudden increase in tension.
Contributed by Luke A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@balakay5092
Hendrix never died. Earth was just part of his tour.
@BoKnowsBrains
watch the watch towers
@fpa417
dont know about anyone else but putting LMAO after a joke ruins it for me. LMAO
@hi-wm7tb
@@fpa417 being a jojo fan ruins any chance at being funny
@kevinheatcoat2190
Coronavirus.
@awhahoo
@@fpa417 I laughed at the joke don't worry about crusty toe he became steelydan 2.0
@samcavanagh7993
If you're ever feeling down remember we live in an age where this song is accessible in a second, for free, forever.
@drkadzijaliburic1093
@@MARSBELLA1 vpn
@Fordham1969
That type of thing is always a double edged sword though. Yes, on balance I agree it's preferable to live in an age where these sort of things that you love can be enjoyed instantly wherever you are. However, there's something about having to wait for things that enhances your appreciation of them. There's no perfection in life.
@JARC1010
@@MARSBELLA1 Considering the government has decided to keep the copyright laws and most labour laws and generally all the other laws exactly the same to avoid confusion, i think you need to take the tin foil hat off.