Morello has explained, "The Nightwatchman is my political folk alter ego. I've been writing these songs and playing them at open mic nights with friends for some time. This is the first time I've toured with it. When I play open mic nights, it's announced as The Nightwatchman. There will be kids there who are fans of my electric guitar playing, and you see them there scratching their heads. But it's something that I enjoy doing. I look at it more as an extension of my politics. Then again, some of the songs are not explicitly political. It really helped me grow as an artist and songwriter."
The debut album, "One Man Revolution", was released in 2007. The album "The Fabled City" was released on September 30, 2008. The third album, "World Wide Rebel Songs", was released in 2011.
Until The End
The Nightwatchman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No one looks behind the curtain and no one questions why
The only time we've got is right about now
I cross my heart, I take the vow
I'll never turn, I'll never bend
I'm with you now until the end
I am the punishment that fits the crime
I'll break the bricks, I'll pick the locks
I don't got nothin' but I'll give what I got
I'll never turn, I'll never bend
I'm with you now until the end
Ten trials whose outcomes all fixed from the start
Nine judges sitting counting their money in the dark
Eight towers of iron surround the desert town
On a cold December morning, seven martyrs knocked them down
Six fathers still waiting for their six sons to come home
Five mothers who know better and accept that they're gone
Four years I've been hunted, still I breathe free
Three times I shot the sheriff and did not spare the deputy
Two prayers I'm praying until we're together
One promise I'm keeping tonight and forever
I'll never turn, I'll never bend
I'm with you now until the end
I'll never turn, I'll never bend
I'm with you now until the end
The Nightwatchman's "Until the End" is a powerful protest song that addresses corruption, injustice, and resistance. Through its lyrics, the song explores the idea that many people are complicit in the injustice that exists within society, either through their silence or by actively participating in it. The song describes a world where those in power are not held accountable for their actions, where justice is distorted, and where people must band together to effect change.
The opening lines of the song describe a society where no one takes responsibility for the atrocities committed, and those who are oppressed do not question why. The song then goes on to describe the urgency of the present moment, and the need for action. The sense of immediacy is reinforced by the repeated declaration: "The only time we've got is right about now."
The later verses of the song paint a picture of oppression and resistance, describing a town surrounded by iron towers, a group of fathers waiting for their sons to come home, and martyrs who have acted out against the oppressive system. In the end, the song is a declaration of solidarity and commitment to the cause, with the repeated refrain "I'll never turn, I'll never bend, I'm with you now until the end."
Overall, "Until the End" is an unapologetically political song that calls for action and resistance against the injustices that exist within society.
Line by Line Meaning
No one knows who gave the orders, no one asks about the crime
No one questions the system they live in or seeks to hold the powerful accountable.
No one looks behind the curtain and no one questions why
Society operates on autopilot, without conscious thought or critique.
The only time we've got is right about now
The present moment is all we have and should be cherished.
I cross my heart, I take the vow
I make a solemn promise to stand by your side no matter what.
I'll never turn, I'll never bend
I will remain steadfast and true to my principles and values.
I'm with you now until the end
I will support you through thick and thin, until the very end.
Tonight's the test, tonight's the time
This moment is the ultimate challenge and opportunity to prove oneself.
I am the punishment that fits the crime
I will deliver justice to those who have wronged us in a fair and just manner.
I'll break the bricks, I'll pick the locks
I will overcome obstacles and barriers to achieve our goals.
I don't got nothin' but I'll give what I got
Even if I have nothing left to give, I will still give my all for you.
Ten trials whose outcomes all fixed from the start
The system is rigged and corrupt, with predetermined outcomes.
Nine judges sitting counting their money in the dark
Those in power are motivated by greed and corruption, rather than justice.
Eight towers of iron surround the desert town
The powerful have built fortresses to keep the people under their control.
On a cold December morning, seven martyrs knocked them down
The oppressed rose up and overthrew their oppressors in a glorious revolution.
Six fathers still waiting for their six sons to come home
The families of the fallen continue to grieve and hold out hope for their loved ones.
Five mothers who know better and accept that they're gone
Some have come to accept the harsh reality of loss and have found a way to cope.
Four years I've been hunted, still I breathe free
Despite being pursued by those in power, I remain unbroken and true to my beliefs.
Three times I shot the sheriff and did not spare the deputy
I have taken radical action against those who oppress us, without hesitation or remorse.
Two prayers I'm praying until we're together
I hope and pray for a world where we can be united and free from oppression.
One promise I'm keeping tonight and forever
I vow to always stand by your side, no matter what challenges may come our way.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Alex_YT_handler
No one knows who gave the orders
No one asks about the crime
No one looks behind the curtain
No one questions why
The only time we've got
Is right about now
I cross my heart
I take the vow
I'll never turn
I'll never bend
I'm with you now
Until the end
Tonight's the test
Tonight's the time
I am the punishment
That fits the crime
I'll break the bricks
I'll pick the locks
I don't got nothin'
But I'll give what I got
I'll never turn
I'll never bend
I'm with you now
Until the end
Ten trials whose outcomes
All fixed from the start
Nine judges sitting counting
Their money in the dark
Eight towers of iron
Surround the desert town
On a cold December morning
Seven martyrs knocked them down
Six fathers still waiting
For their six sons to come home
Five mothers who know better
And accept that they're gone
Four years I've been hunted
Still I breathe free
Three times I shot the sheriff
And did not spare the deputy
Two prayers I'm praying
Until we're together
One promise I'm keeping
Tonight and forever
I'll never turn
I'll never bend
I'm with you now
Until the end
@evelinekettle1150
Tom Morello is a supremely principled and talented man. His voice and sincerity are reminiscent of the great Johnny Cash
@nateatchison161
His voice comes across a forced here, he seems a bit uncomfortable yet. But a great tune. Tom, in my opinion doesn't get the respect he's due. But theres time for people to come around...
Rally round the family, pocket full of shells..
@Blondiee10
More like Leonard Cohen...
@ThatGuy40640
As a major Johnny Cash fan, I have to agree. But it does have a Leonard Cohen vibe too. Two musical geniuses with a nice touch of an amazing guitarist. Love Tom Morello.
@LesBarber
@Vanessa Hooper You nailed it VH
@TheAntiBright
I love Tom Morello, I like RATM and I like Audioslave, obviously I like the nightwatchman, but I love Morello as a guitarist first and foremost.
@horatiohuffnagel7978
Fuck I used to play this 10 years ago back in high school. I forgot all about until a few days ago. You forget so much about yourself as your life goes on.
@CloudVisionPro
+Horatio Huffnagel haha insane, I was a senior when I would listen to this song; crazy how it only has 500k views..you'd think there would be more by now. I haven't seen this video since then.
@SiochainGra
True about how much we forget.
@user-bq4cq5jv9b
Thanks for this journey to poetry and high rise view away from everyday life.