The Watcher
Rory Gallagher Lyrics
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Prepared by your soul for all the secrets you're holding
Step back in time machine for a mind that's frozen
This is a mind that will challenge the full moon
Capture on acid a man whose mind is exploding
This is a life from the edge of the map that's turning
There on a map they check on the eye of the beholding
Don't look for more deep in the sun it's turning
Ants all over your eyes broken [unverified]
They're watching, they've got you now
They're showing pictures on a screen
Time slips and places where you've been
They're little secret of Saigon
You trust them mostly to Hong Kong
Guess what's right in the market place
Selling secrets at the lowest price
Eye to eye, come on it's your weakness
A childish game, marked with foolish [unverified]
Walking city, cat 'n' mouse charming
They've got you, they've got you now
They'll watch you, they've got you now
In Rory Gallagher's "The Watcher", the lyrics seem to narrate the story of someone who is being watched by a secret organization or authority, as they try to uncover the deep secrets buried inside their mind. The constant reference to a mind that's frozen seems to suggest that the singer has gone through some sort of trauma or shock, which has left them emotionally numb and impenetrable. The use of a time machine could hint at attempts to revisit the past and unlock buried memories. The ants all over your eyes may point to an invasion of privacy or a sense of vulnerability, as someone - or something - is watching their every move.
The chorus "They're watching, they've got you now" seems to emphasize the sense of helplessness felt by the singer, who cannot escape the watchful eyes that follow their every move. References to Saigon and Hong Kong suggest a cold war or espionage-like scenario, where the singer is caught in the middle of a game of secrets and lies. The lyrics imply a sense of danger and paranoia as the singer desperately tries to evade their captors, but to no avail. The Watcher is a thought-provoking song that can be interpreted in different ways, and leaves much room for speculation.
Line by Line Meaning
Is there a car straight under a light that's burning?
Are you being watched under the spotlight of scrutiny?
Prepared by your soul for all the secrets you're holding
You are the only one privy to the secrets you hold.
Step back in time machine for a mind that's frozen
Revisit the past to thaw a mind that's stuck.
This is a mind that will challenge the full moon
This is an intellect that will question even the most obvious things.
Capture on acid a man whose mind is exploding
A man whose mind's about to explode is captured in acid.
This is a life from the edge of the map that's turning
This is a life from a place so far off it's almost going off the map.
There on a map they check on the eye of the beholding
They keep track of where the beholder is looking on a map.
This is a flag for a mind that's frozen
This is a symbol for a mind that refuses to progress.
Don't look for more deep in the sun it's turning
Don't look for answers where there are none.
Ants all over your eyes broken [unverified]
You are being watched so closely it's like ants crawling all over you.
They're watching, they've got you now
You are being surveilled and they have you under their control.
They're showing pictures on a screen
They are displaying what they are watching on a screen.
Time slips and places where you've been
They have a record of your whereabouts through time.
They're little secret of Saigon
They have a small confidential piece of information about Saigon.
You trust them mostly to Hong Kong
You have the most faith in them when it comes to Hong Kong.
Guess what's right in the market place
Can you tell what is right in front of you in the marketplace?
Selling secrets at the lowest price
They are selling hush-hush information at a very low cost.
Eye to eye, come on it's your weakness
Meeting someone face-to-face is your Achilles' heel.
A childish game, marked with foolish [unverified]
What they are playing is nothing more than a game, marked with immaturity.
Walking city, cat 'n' mouse charming
It's a game of cat-and-mouse they're playing, within a dynamic city.
They'll watch you, they've got you now
They'll keep watching and continue to have control over you.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: RORY GALLAGHER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind