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by Anonymous on December 6th, 2005

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What does the Bob Dylan song, "All Along the Watchtower" mean?

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  • by mike blair on December 6th, 2005

    mike blair

    When I started writing this answer, I played the song in iTunes for some inspiration while writing, and found that I have eight different versions of this song in my library. This song was originally released on Dylan's "John Wesley Harding" album. U2, Neil Young, Dave Matthews Band, and numerous others have covered this song. Jimi Hendrix's version is easily the most famous cover.

    The song itself starts off in a conversation between two people, the Joker and the Theif:


    " 'There must be some kind of way out of here,'
    Said the joker to the thief."

    The conversation continues between the two, discussing the how the values of life held by established society are wrong, or unappreciated

    “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 theif then reassures the Joker, telling him that while others may take life for granted, the two of them know better, and then set off to make things right.

    “'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.' ”

    In the next verse, the scene shifts dramatically. Instead of following this conversation any further, we hear a description of a place gaurded by a watchtower, with princes patrolling it:

    "All along the watchtower,
    Princes kept the view,"

    While inside the gates, people go about their lives, oblivious:

    "While all the women came and went —
    Barefoot servants too.

    Next, the writer describes a scene of impending doom, out in the distance, change itself (in the form of the two riders, the joker and the theif) is charging the fortress

    "Outside in the cold distance,
    A wildcat did growl.
    Two riders were approaching, and
    The wind began to howl."


    So, the synopsis of the song is this: The Joker and the Theif represent those who see all the injustice and exploitation in the world, and seek to bring about a change. The watchtower and the princes patrolling it represent those who would try to maintain the status-quo. This strong imagery of the watchtower and the coming threat of the two riders in the distance represent just what a epic undertaking it would be to bring about a change in society's views.

    Comments

    • Excellent!

      Alatea

      by Alatea on December 6th, 2005

    • One of the best answers I've read for ages- fantastic.

      Anonymous

      by Anonymous on December 7th, 2005

    • This is an awesome answer, mb!!. You can analyze my lyrics anytime.

      Jodie44

      by Jodie44 on December 7th, 2005

    • But what happens next?????

      Dragen

      by Dragen on December 31st, 2005

    • Man, incredible! This song I've been listening to for over 30 years has a wonderful new meaning. Thanks, M.B.!

      tmsib51

      by tmsib51 on August 22nd, 2006

    • nice answer!

      michaelcor

      by michaelcor on January 3rd, 2007

    • The song for those times of dispair!

      RedScareX

      by RedScareX on January 10th, 2007

    • But you forgot to imply what the Joker and Thief symbolize.Common sense tells us the joker is supposed to be a funny, jolly character, whilst the thief is supposed to steal and be sly.
      There is strong significance of political thought in the lyrics but the Joker and Thief must represent something else.

      tsheinall

      by tsheinall on February 3rd, 2011

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