All Along The Watchtower
The Million Dollar Bashers Lyrics


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There must be some way out of here
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

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 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 the 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

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "All Along The Watchtower" by The Million Dollar Bashers were written by the legendary Bob Dylan and covered by Jimi Hendrix, among others. The song has a surreal quality, and like many of Dylan's lyrics, multiple interpretations are possible. The first verse is a conversation, perhaps a metaphorical one, between a joker and a thief who can't escape the confusion and chaos around them. The joker is looking for a way out, while the thief acknowledges the absurdity of it all.


The second verse speaks to the way people of different social classes view the world. The businessmen and plowmen are both profiting off the land, yet neither truly understands its worth. The subsequent verse mentions the transient nature of life and the idea that it's all a joke. But the final verse suggests that the singer and the person they're addressing have seen through the facade of it all and know that there's more to life than what's in front of them.


Some interpret the song as a commentary on the political situation at the time Dylan wrote it, while others see it as a commentary on society as a whole. Still, others view it as a metaphor for the human condition.


Line by Line Meaning

There must be some way out of here
The singer is expressing a desire to escape a situation that he finds difficult.


Said the joker to the thief
The singer is addressing someone who he views as lazy or dishonest.


There's too much confusion
The singer feels overwhelmed by the chaos around him.


I can't get no relief
The artist is unable to find any respite from his troubles.


Businessmen, they drink my wine
The artist feels exploited by those in positions of power.


Plowmen dig my earth
Even those who perform manual labor are benefiting from the fruits of the singer's labor.


None of them along the line
No one in his community has a true sense of the value of his efforts.


Know what any of it is worth
The artist is frustrated that his efforts are not appreciated appropriately.


No reason to get excited
The artist dismisses the emotions of those around him as unwarranted.


The thief, he kindly spoke
The artist refers to the person he addressed earlier, possibly indicating a level of scorn or condescension.


There are many here among us
The singer acknowledges that he is not alone in his frustration and disappointment.


Who feel that life is but a joke
Many people around the artist view life as frivolous or insubstantial.


But you and I, we've been through that
The singer is addressing someone who he feels is capable of empathizing with his perspective.


And this is not our fate
The singer is optimistic that the situation can be changed for the better.


So let us not talk falsely now
The singer encourages honesty and frankness in their communication.


The hour is getting late
The artist emphasizes the urgency of the situation.


All along the watchtower
The artist is describing a place of surveillance or oversight.


Princes kept the view
Those in power remain vigilant and protected.


While all the women came and went
The singer observes people going about their daily lives.


Barefoot servants, too
Even those who occupy lowly positions in society are subject to the same surveillance.


Outside in the distance
The artist's attention shifts to what is happening in a far-off location.


A wildcat did growl
The artist describes a menacing animal.


Two riders were approaching
The singer observes the approach of two people, whose intentions or identities are unknown.


The wind began to howl
The artist describes the ominous atmosphere of the scene.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, AUDIAM, INC
Written by: BOB DYLAN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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