Since her career began in 1981, Gerrard has been involved in a wide range of projects. She received a Golden Globe Award for the music score to the film Gladiator, on which she collaborated with Hans Zimmer.
Lisa Gerrard was born on 12 April 1961 in Melbourne, and grew up in the suburb of Prahran with her Irish immigrant parents. She has said that she grew up with "Mediterranean music blaring out of the houses" and that this influenced her music, particularly on later Dead Can Dance albums and in her solo and collaborative works.
Gerrard's first foray into forming bands and creative music-making was in Melbourne's little band scene, an experimental post-punk scene which flourished from 1978 until 1981. It was at one of these little band events that she first met Dead Can Dance co-founder Brendan Perry. Perry recalls, "It never occurred to me that we would one day collaborate musically together because at the time I thought her music was too avant garde. I particularly remember one song that she sang about finding a man in the park and asking her mother if she could bring him home to keep in her wardrobe as she attacked this chinese dulcimer with two bamboo sticks".
Dead Can Dance originally formed as a quartet in 1981 in Melbourne, but in 1982 moved to London with members Gerrard, Brendan Perry and bass player Paul Erikson. Shortly after coming to England, Erikson flew back to Australia, leaving the band as a duo. Dead Can Dance recorded eight albums on the 4AD Records recording label beginning with the self-titled Dead Can Dance LP in 1984. In 2005, the song "Nierika" became part of the opening titles for Mexican television station TV Azteca's soap opera "La Chacala". The band split in 1998, but reunited in 2005 for a world tour. In 2012, the band announced a new world tour to coincide with the release of their new album, Anastasis.
Gerrard possesses the vocal range of a contralto but can also reach upward into the mezzo-soprano range. Her voice has been described as rich, deep, dark, mournful and unique.
Examples of Gerrard's mezzo-soprano range include the songs "The Host of Seraphim", "Elegy", "Space Weaver", "Come This Way" and "One Perfect Sunrise". Gerrard however performs more predominantly in the dramatic contralto range in her other songs, "Sanvean", "Sacrifice", "Largo", "Lament" and "Not Yet".
Gerrard sings many of her songs, such as "Now We Are Free", "Come Tenderness", "Serenity", "The Valley of the Moon", "Tempest", "Pilgrimage of Lost Children", "Coming Home" and "Sanvean" in idioglossia. With respect to such work she has said, "I sing in the language of the Heart. It's an invented language that I've had for a very long time. I believe I started singing in it when I was about 12. Roughly that time. And I believed that I was speaking to God when I sang in that language."
Gerrard was married to Polish graphic design artist and music producer Jacek Tuschewski, with whom she has a daughter (born 1992).
Her nephew Jack Gerrard plays for Cairns post-hardcore act Almost a Square as the drummer and back-up vocalist.
All Along The Watchtower
Lisa Gerrard 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 of them along the line
Know what any of it is worth"
The thief, he kindly spoke
"There are many here among us
Who feel that life is but a joke
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 their 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 song All Along the Watchtower, original by Bob Dylan but interpreted by Lisa Gerrard, talks about people looking for a way out of a situation that causes them confusion and stress. The joker and thief in the lyrics are metaphors for two different perspectives or attitudes towards life. The joker is the one who sees through the façade of power and wealth and is frustrated by the emptiness of material pursuits. The thief, on the other hand, is the one who has embraced the futility of life and is at peace with it.
The lyrics suggest that there are two kinds of people in society, those who are chasing after success and material possessions, and those who have given up on the rat race and are content with their lot. The joker's frustration arises from the fact that he sees that the pursuit of wealth and power is ultimately fruitless, but he is still trapped by its allure. The thief, however, has come to the realization that life is ultimately meaningless, and he no longer cares about trying to chase after empty illusions.
The song concludes with an image of two riders approaching, suggesting that there is no escape from the cycle of life and death. The wind beginning to howl suggests that there are forces beyond our control that are forever blowing, regardless of our hopes and dreams. All Along the Watchtower is a powerful commentary on the human condition and the struggle for meaning and fulfillment.
Line by Line Meaning
There must be some way out of here
The joker is expressing his frustration and desperation in the situation he is in and is looking for a way to escape.
Said the joker to the thief
The joker is directing his statement to the thief, possibly looking for an ally or someone to help him find a way out of his situation.
There's too much confusion
The joker is overwhelmed and cannot understand what is happening around him.
I can't get no relief
The joker cannot find any comfort or escape from the situation.
Businessmen, they drink my wine
The joker sees the people in power as taking advantage of him and his resources.
Plowmen dig my earth
Even the common people are contributing to his misery and are taking advantage of him.
None of them along the line
Nobody in the society is aware of the true value of what they have and are manipulating.
Know what any of it is worth
People do not understand the worth of their actions, belongings or privileges.
No reason to get excited
The thief is trying to calm the joker down and asking him to not get his hopes up.
The thief, he kindly spoke
The thief is trying to be gentle and understanding towards the worries of the joker.
There are many here among us
The thief acknowledges the presence of many people around who might have faced similar situations.
Who feel that life is but a joke
People believe that life has no meaning and is just an act.
But you and I, we've been through that
The thief and the joker have experienced the same difficulties before and are trying to find a way out together.
And this is not our fate
The situation they are in is not their destiny and they can change it.
So let us not talk falsely now
The thief is urging the joker to be honest about his feelings rather than pretending everything is fine.
The hour is getting late
Time is running out and they need to take action soon.
All along the watchtower
The view from the watchtower shows the surroundings and exposes the people who hold power.
Princes kept their view
The people in power observe from a high point while common people do all the work.
While all the women came and went
Women are shown as expendable and made to do the menial tasks.
Barefoot servants, too
Even the poor and helpless are used for advancing other's interests.
Outside in the distance
Something mysterious is happening far away.
A wildcat did growl
Animals are warning of the impending danger or showing discontent.
Two riders were approaching
Two unknown people are heading towards the situation, which could represent a positive or negative outcome.
The wind began to howl
The change or uncertainty is intensifying and gaining force.
Contributed by Sophia I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Alex Wilds
, I think her voice along with the instrumental suit the lyrics so well , especially the last verse. Underrated
oscar armando pinochi
Love this version!!!
Tino j. Prieto Aguilar
una maravilla de versión.... abrazos para todxs.
Moustafa Emara
Great voice!
Andreas Npg Nhmb
Great cover version! Respect to Jimi! 🎸💃🎤👍
Compost Wise
Loved it... Love the original, Love Change.
The Symbols
Cool version of Watchtower. My band recently used this tune as a soundcheck song while trying out some new recording gear. The Symbols COVER All Along the Watchtower
Silverblade
This is not exactly Gerard's typical style (if she has one, she's extremely gifted and can sing almost anything). I think you could give Portishead a try if you like this song.
JustErics101
This is very trip hop imo. Very good cover.
Luisito F
Thansk dadelcz for posting this Brilliant cover of the Bob Dylan's classic song... Lisa Gerrard is simply A M A Z I N G!!!!...thanks for Sharing and Promoting the Greatest Music Ever.... :-D Peace..