Bob Dylan - All Along The Watchtower Lyrics






"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.





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Bob Dylan All Along The Watchtower Comments
  1. f.... 7....

    Love Bob but Hendrix did better.

  2. A.... F....

    damn it bob why didn't you make it longer

  3. W.... W....

    Lucifer?

  4. S.... W....

    woody allen once said something like, "William butler yeats was the most indecipherable and hence the finest poet of his time."...I know I know there are always so many pundits illuminati who
    will say this is what Dylan meant here & that is what Dylan meant & that is what Dylan meant there & one must be very deep to penetrate his arcana. but in the end, how many working men have
    even heard of yeats or even care about the Shakespeare Dylan talked about in his nobel speech, & ironically? we all even know what woody allen is! one day, Dylan himself will be just another
    annotation in history. because art LARGELY does NOT change human morality. " vanity of vanity, all is vanity" said the wisest of men, BUT, at the end of ecclesiastes he omits the awe of G-d, & how
    many artists have truly made it their calling to even try to help humanity without idolizing themselves? In the end, it's the people who give of themselves be it pauper, workmen, or kings who
    change this earth for the better whom history will RELY on to move forward.

  5. M.... M....

    This album is so much better than the other masterpieces people always claim are Dylan's best work.

  6. S.... Y....

    those nashville cats sure can play

  7. J.... K....

    You can appreciate both versions. Like "Nothing Compares 2 U" by Prince and also sung by Sinea O'Conner.

  8. D.... B....

    Shits all over jimis version

  9. A.... P....

    Call me crazy, but I like Dylan's version more than Hendrix's.

    A.... P....

    you're crazy

  10. W.... F....

    This is EASILY the best version of this song.

    W.... F....

    Except for the Hendrix version

  11. E.... �....

    Thank you so much mr. Zimmerman for your amazing songs

  12. n.... ....

    Wow... After I heard this song, I finally understand the genius of Hendrix. How did he change such a mellow/ country song to a proper rock song. Dylan version is original but Hendrix is better. Sorry that the Truth.

  13. T.... V....

    I think they're both equally good in different ways, the Hendrix version and this one. If you added Dylan's vocals - smoothness and nonchalance - with Hendrix's guitar it would be a PERFECT song. Literally.

  14. M.... K....

    Is the harmonica supposed to sound like that

  15. D.... ....

    "There's too much confusion/I can't get no relief" – I suspect the vast majority of us can relate to that sentiment.

  16. M.... O....

    theory: Bob Dylan is an ancient entity who wrote every known song in existence, but he appears in the heads of people who reimagine his works

    M.... O....

    If that was true then bob dylan would be a disgrace. Have you heard the music today?

    M.... O....

    So he wrote bodak yellow?

  17. L.... W....

    Today I got a capo so I guess I'll play it

  18. _.... ....

    Mumble rap for boomers

  19. A.... J....

    What a fkin tune man

  20. C.... B....

    So different to devlins cover. All 3 are amazing

  21. A.... K....

    Jimi told bob to hold his acid

    A.... K....

    😂😂😂

  22. A.... W....

    Just finished reading Watchmen for the first time so I had to put this on lol

  23. K.... M....

    To bezapelacyjnie najlepszy okres samego Dylana jak i genialny tekst i sama muza!

  24. S.... L....

    I sat in the University of NSW grounds among students eating lunch, and was reading the song from the John Wesley Harding Songbook, when a student glanced at the book beside me, and said "Oh, we are studying that in our Literature class now!" He explained that the two riders were representing Death and Nature, immortals in all time, both on missions to accomplish a never ending work, while conversing like humans, Nature admits that people do not know the value of what is offered them, and show it by abusing him. Death responds that it is ok because their jobs are not affected as immortals, and then summons Nature to ride, as they have work to do. No one, high low in status in society, can escape the inevitable, and their approach is heralded by the wild cat growling and the onslaught of both death and nature.

  25. M.... F....

    In Bob Dylan's version, his voice is the leader of the song. In Hendrix's version, the guitar is the leader (even more, is the real voice).

  26. m.... s....

    Love Hendrix's version of course.. I also quite enjoy this. Cause it sounds like Dylan's early work.. It has a haunting quality.

    m.... s....

    Amazing how Jimi's playing makes the song a timeless masterpiece of jaw dropping guitar execution, to every one who ever has touched a guitar and beyond. I heard his band members comment that Hendrix was so humble he would walk off and even have a cup of coffee somewhere with people after his performance if they approached him. His humble attitude, sincerity, and intelligence are really seen clearly in this interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGf9PTYyJ4A

  27. A.... C....

    Bbbbbbbrrrrrruuuuuuuttttttaaaaaaaaaalllllllllllllll

  28. t.... ....

    I love the Jimi Hendrix version, but this one for me is still better!

  29. S.... ....

    I heard this song aboard the Battlestar Galactica thousands of years before Bob Dylan wrote it. #cylonhipster

  30. c.... ....

    as bob said...jimi’s song

  31. W.... T....

    Your _entire_ "digital watch" construct was just sent "Poof!". This here, though, namely the claim that any "rhythm" and its beats-per-minute making any playing of music – especially if done with "digits" (i.e. fingers, such as playing a guitar) – resembled another "digital watch" is crap. That is no "watch" (in the clock / timekeeping sense; figurative saying not withstanding). This aspect of your machinations merely fizzled, as that was all it could do. (Compared to your other stuff which passed as "time-keeping" such as counting one's ex-girlfriends/wifes on the fingers, as each relationship resembled an amount of time; or also your security system shtick, etc.) One "takes" no time playing music (irregardles off it "taking time" to learn how to play music and even though the live performance "takes time" – _it_ (the playing of music as msuician, and even the listening to it as listener familiar with a song's duration) itself takes _no_ time in the sense you tried to work these routines to "Jehova-sect-ize" the world into the idiotic abuse of "watch" as "process of guarding" in "digital watch" – and "pick guards" didn't help that delusion of yours any more, either.

    W.... T....

    Bruh who tf you talkin’ to?

    W.... T....

    I’m guessin’ some obscure reference, in which case I’m bein’ a boomer.

  32. B.... B....

    Dylan is unsurpassable when it comes to songwriting and storytelling. Although I prefer the Hendrix version, it's a shame that Dylan doesn't really get the credit he deserves for this song

  33. J.... F....

    It's in the fraking ship!

  34. d.... s....

    Bob Dylan ❤❤❤

  35. P.... ....

    Thank you american beauty🤘🤘

  36. D.... F....

    Most of us have heard the Hendrix version, but the orginal is great too. Dylan admitted himself that the covers of his songs were better than his own versions. Hendix was a huge fan of Dylan (his cover of "Like a rolling stone" is great too), he always had notebook with his lyrics. The genious of Dylan is even when you're a bad musician, if you cover his songs, it sounds great! But in the case of Hendrix, when a genious sings a song written by a genious... Anyway, I love the original version!

  37. j.... n....

    I'm an eh on all the lyrics but what about the harmonica? Nobody credits it's perfection and sublimity. Well OK, mostly. I'm good on with Hendrix but guitar solos do not a harmonica make, even for Bob over again.

  38. J.... G....

    for my taste not the best version, but one of the best creations

  39. J.... D....

    The best version is the Tom Ellis one

  40. b.... ....

    "Bob Dylan's a fucking genius" oh yeah and "Babylon The Great Has Fallen" 😬

  41. R.... P....

    This guy stole that song from Jimi Hendrix. No originality.

  42. �.... �....

    Legendary cover of legendary song... True music

    �.... �....

    Cover? Original

    �.... �....

    @Jamie Kelly I'm about Hendrix

  43. j.... ....

    232 deaf listeners, or simply stupid

    j.... ....

    Business man drank their wine

  44. J.... H....

    One of my favourite

  45. J.... N....

    Forget D matt. Bob is the man.

  46. L.... ....

    mi tocca il cuore...

  47. C.... L....

    the jarring harmonica part prevents it from being Bob's best song for me.

  48. j.... g....

    Who watches the watchmen?

    j.... g....

    The watchmenmen. But who watches them? Well, the watchmenmenmen.

  49. J.... G....

    I'm here because of Guitar Hero 5

  50. D.... t....

    This Version sucks😂😂😂😂 sounds like a Chipmunk on LSD, Jimi Hendrix is way better lmfao

  51. G.... T....

    A very unpopular opinion amongst my friends circle and a contentious debate: I kinda like Bob Dylan's version better. I'm a definite minority in this one.

  52. l.... ....

    I don’t know why people said Dylan couldn’t sing. He sounds great here.

    l.... ....

    lhcarter hmm...listening to the album Desire will change the opinion forever...and , Dylan is so special it takes tuned ears to realize he sings better than most...north country blues , ballad of Hollis brown , desolation row , boots of Spanish leather all are just examples ...

    l.... ....

    Let us not talk falsely only talk to facts remember Jokers and thieves came together, smoking and drinking wine, and there was a lot of confusion. Remember the thief Canada spoke the life is full of jokes and he also said But you and I've been through that the hours getting late so let's just enjoy the music they both sounds good.

  53. T.... C....

    Not much difference. A little bit on the vocal, maybe.

  54. E.... o....

    Boomer mumble rap

  55. H.... S....

    here bc of lucifers version

  56. K.... D....

    I don't care what anyone says. This version is better.

  57. A.... M....

    Wow this sucks compared 2 hendrix

  58. c.... ....

    Never heard this version. It's kind of cheesy, to be truthful, after you've heard Hendrix's version.

  59. L.... F....

    This is one of my favorite songs of all time. There is something absolutely bone chilling about it. By the way, I think this version is lightyears better than the Hendrix one.

  60. s.... ....

    ❤🌱

  61. N.... S....

    That is a good song.

  62. K.... M....

    There's something about Dylan on the harmonica .. just speaks to me.

    K.... M....

    He needed a Db (D flat) and he wouldve been golden plus it sounds like a cheap harp too

    K.... M....

    @CatfishMan um.. ok, if you say so. I know nothing of harmonicas.

    K.... M....

    Thpught you were joking he sounds like shit on this lol tambourine man sounds much better

    K.... M....

    @CatfishMan I can see how my comment came off as sarcasm now. I guess beauty is in the ear of the beholder then lol

  63. R.... L....

    This version shows the genius of Hendrix..
    Hearing this version compared to Hendrix...
    How did Jimi hear it?
    WOW

    R.... L....

    He just reworked it to fit his style. The real genius (Dylan's) lies on the lyrics.

    R.... L....

    I'm of the complete opposite opinion. Hendrix had a nice commercial rock and roll version that you'd rather hear at a party. But this one is simple, raw, and utterly POWERFUL. This is the one you throw headphones on to listen to when you're distressed. The guitar, harmonica, Bob's voice, and INCREDIBLE lyrics make this thing so haunting. I just think it's lightyears better than the Hendrix version. Jimi cheapened it with "oooh shiny" guitar work that made it more accessible to people who care less about art and more about "bangers".

    R.... L....

    jimi told me in dream....it totally blew his socks OFF!!!

  64. A.... G....

    What is the meaning of the song ?

    A.... G....

    The song it's an infinite loop, the final harmony perfectly matches the begining, "there most be somewhere out of here" the thieft and joker are both poor people looking for a way out but they never will, they're destined to endlessly complain on how everyone just lays down and accept their fate or finish themselves instead of insisting foward since " You and i we've been through that and this is not our fate" that's the thieft reafirming my claim since this is a regular argument between them, the remaining song it's the joker and thieft going forth ending where they started

  65. J.... ....

    Jimi Hendrix’s cover > bob Dylan’s original

  66. S.... D....

    I came after frank marino's version

  67. K.... v....

    What do the words mean

  68. L.... P....

    Too cool. He can't be human.

  69. O.... A....

    This is e version most of us r related to, not e 2000+yr where Bob turn his gifted memorable song to rubbish..even Jimi will turn in his grave

  70. S.... B....

    Jimi Hendrix added some of his own lyrics and he made the musical element far better. This song is still good, but Hendrix made it better in every way imo

  71. I.... A....

    Bob Dylan is the master of music and his generation he make music gentl art
    Respect from MOROCCO

  72. R.... K....

    Jimi totally mirrored the harmonica in this version with his guitar solos, just like when Eric Clapton listened to old blues songs and said he wanted to make his guitar wail like the blues harmonica.

  73. h.... h....

    I hate the harmonica 😂😂😂

  74. M.... d....

    Ahhh so good !
    And Jimi brought it to a next level.
    2 hero's !

  75. �.... �....

    I can't find the senor studio version anywhere....

  76. H.... d....

    Singer-strummer Jess Greenberg posted a buoyant if somewhat chesty version here on YT.

  77. B.... L....

    In my blog I compare both versions https://variationinmotion.blogspot.com/2019/10/all-along-watchtower.html

  78. P.... ....

    I always thought he said: "So let us not talk falsely now, that I was getting laid"

    P.... ....

    That literally is the definition of ROFLMFAO! ha ha ha ha ha ha .......

  79. C.... A....

    No offence but how is it that this guy has been singing for so many years but still a terrible singer? I still like him though

  80. V.... E....

    Tremenda versión temazo de la vida.... tu eres el gurú ☮️

  81. T.... T....

    Do the jehovahs like this song watch tower?

  82. T.... R....

    Brilliant of Dylan to start the song with what would typically be the last verse.

    T.... R....

    That's cause it's a loop. They're going to argue as long as they live, they'll march foward out of where they are but those 2 riders will not ever leave

  83. K.... K....

    Hendrix killed Dylan on his own shit.

  84. d.... d....

    Isaiah 21

    Just keep the faith baby!! 🦅🦅🦅

  85. V.... E....

    What if Bob Dylan sang while Jimi Hendrix played? That would be phenomenal.

  86. H.... A....

    ew fuck that harmonica.

  87. k.... ....

    I love the Hendrix version. But listen to the original by bob. It speaks louder

  88. J.... M....

    Amazing. Much better than Jimi Hendrix version.

  89. E.... H....

    Test test

  90. L.... F....

    Began listening this OG after Jimi Hendrix’s version. This is more soothing; soooooothing!

    L.... F....

    If this soothes you just go to sleep - if you don't wake up you will never know that it was not your fault :)

  91. E.... L....

    Bob is one of the worlds greatest lyricists,......ah....just not singers.

  92. L.... Z....

    Bob dylan said that jimi Hendrix's version is better...

  93. A.... S....

    May be Bobby boy is not that much of a genius. He just figured out that if someone uses Biblical imagery or imagery from some other mythology, through in some allegory and make it vague people take it as a sign of high talent. Maybe he's just using that formula for all his life. But if so then how does he come up with "Love is just a 4 letter word" which doesn't follow this recipe and is still awesome.

  94. A.... M....

    Bob grew up 50 miles from Judy garland in northern minnesota. In a tv interview said to gain success he made a deal with the ....(not God). In the late 70s he went with God apparently christian. Who knows where hes at now. Yer gonna have to serve somebody......you cant serve 2 masters.

  95. A.... M....

    Didnt know bob wrote this.
    I read jimies story is painful.

  96. L.... K....

    Omg thank u YouTube for this version!!!!!!!!!!!!

  97. D.... H....

    Better than the Hendrix version. Don't care what anyone says.