Dave Mason - All Along The Watchtower Lyrics

It appears that many commenters do not realize that Dave Mason ALSO played on the Hendrix version, doing the acoustic guitar counterpart to Hendrix. Mason has said in interviews that Hendrix was a perfectionist to say the least.

He played just 12-string guitar.

@Otto Atila "Just"? That should read: "On the original 'Watchtower' recording, Mason superbly played the 12-string counterpoint to Hendrix's lead".

Jimi version 👍

Great version by Dave. Still sounds fabulous!

(Overproduced camera work?)

Mason also played on Jimi’s version.

Great version! An underrated guitarist, very good song writer and vocalist...thanks Dave!

he opened for Doobie brothers and Journey and just left me wide eyed and speechless. he has played with everybody who is anybody. his body of work is staggering.

That was fn awesome ! And the song written by the only Pulitzer Prize winner to come out of Rock and Roll Bob Zimmerman "Dylan"

Tiene que haber alguna manera de salir de aquí
Le dijo el bromista al ladrón
Hay demasiada confusión
No puedo encontrar alivio
Hombres de negocios, ellos se beben mi vino
Labradores cavan mi tierra
Ninguno de ellos a lo largo de la línea
Sabe lo que algo de ello vale.


Instrumental.

No hay motivo para excitarse
El ladrón amablemente habló
Hay mucho aquí entre nosotros
Que siente que la vida no es nada más que una broma
Pero tu y yo, hemos pasado por ello
Y este no es nuestro destino
Así que no nos dejes hablar falsamente ahora
La hora se hace tarde
.


Instrumental.

A lo largo de la atalaya
Los príncipes mantuvieron la vista
Mientras todas las mujeres vinieron y se fueron
Sirvientas descalzas, también
.

Fuera en la distancia
Un gato salvaje gruñó
Dos jinetes se acercaban
El viento empezó a aullar ...


"Debe haber alguna forma de salir de aquí"
"Debe haber alguna forma de salir de aquí"
"Debe haber alguna forma de salir de aquí"
"Debe haber alguna forma de salir de aquí".
===== =====
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.

Instrument.

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, he hour is getting late.

Instrument.

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.


"There must be some way out of here,"
"There must be some way out of here"
"There must be some way out of here,"
"There must be some way out of here".

Well you have to remember dave cut his teeth with jimi . He played acoustic guitar on this track with jimi back when all the greats were finding there way

this old man rocker (no disrespect intended) just killed it, rock on DM & crew you guys are awesome.

This is why I spend to much time near the watchtower.

A nice suprise..i usually am jadedd about Jimi and his besties ( translated: Anything Jimi wrote and produced and played and sang.)
RIDE ON!

< .....mind blown!

He played with Dylan and Jimi hes one of the best

GREAT!!!

Hendricks so defined Watchtower - only a master or a fool would tackle it. Fortunately we're in the hands of a master. Bravo Dave!

"Dave Mason Certified Live"...if you don't have the album, get it. BRILLIANT!!! DM on guitar and Gerald Johnson on base...they don't make musicians like that anymore.

...that is Gerald Johnson on bass...sorry for misspelling.

Man, that's one cool drummer. I like the way DM juggles between a top notch singer/guitarist and notorious teacher-turned-drug-lord.

This is awesome :)

Dylan wrote it......Hendrix stole it...and made it HIS........Nuff said!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That was crisp.

Tight band.

Very very soulful.

Very good. Still like Jimi s better

Like so many others here, I have always preferred Dave Mason' version of this song. Dave Mason is great!

I would put this song up against anybody's else's favorite. This is the definition of rock and roll.

Dave ROCKS, always loved this guy!!!!!

I love Dylan, and I worship Hendrix, but Dave does this song better than anyone!

The same thing I said years ago when I first bought the album and stand by that thought even today. He still has a great sound....

This guy did the 12 string on hendrex's version.

Great guitar player..Excellent take on a great, great song.

HUGE Mason is a total pro complete control

And your point is Craig Gimez?

Wow that's awesome stuff

The most underrated guitarist in rock. His phrasing is perfect.

He does this version better than Hendrix The beat is very driving
Got two speeding tickets listening to this peddle to the metal

This is Awesome.

Simply amazing, thanks Diane for the post

Brilliant.

Let’s face it, there aren’t any musicians in popular music today that can even come close to this.

The man is awesome

What a joy and pleasure to listen to this again with Dave Mason - it was my favorite once

one of the most underrated guitarists in all of rock over the last 50 years

Yeah, this is good. I like the easy groove.

Great job on a great song Dave.

HOW MANY COMMENTS DOES IT TAKE BEFORE ANYONE STATES THAT THIS TUNE WAS ORIGINALLY WRITTEN BY BOB DYLAN? Nobel fucking prize, bitches.

Did you know? Dave Mason plays the acoustic intro on Jimi' s studio version.

His live performances are actually better than the studio versions- then, and now!
So cool he still has "it". It just flows out of him no strain, no stress, no styling, just natural talent. One of the best ever!

my favorite version of this song

A very much underrated talent in the annals of rock history. Thank you Dave Mason.

Saw him do this last year, so magical. Mmmmm.

I've always felt Mason did the best version of this song of anybody.

And the best Dave Mason version ever captured on video was in 1981 at Perkins Palace in San Francisco with Jimmy Krueger. It was an acoustic show. It's on You tube. Jimmy Krueger just flat blew the place apart. If you've never seen it...trust me, you're missing out. I happen to be 64 years old and was lucky enough to be there live. I have never forgotten that version. R.I.P. Jimmy.

Dylan wrote it....Mason flat fuckin' owns it!!! Discuss!

Great. Greatings from The Netherlands, Utrecht. His recent live album is great. Buy it !!!!!!!

Rock and roll hall of famer who never got his due as a singer or guitarist.Gets almost no airplay .

frank Marino did a pretty good redention 1979.

There you go, Frank Marino is an excellent axeman.

when he was young and skinny, the guitar was an "instrument" . Now with his Fuller voice, and the bending of his strings with stubby fingers, he is actually better, and more confident. He can hold that les Paul like he owns it, He knows that his portfolio of tunes early on was actually remarkable, great tunes per LP he actually had the gift to give us LP's where there was no, "I hate these fillers so bad I have to skip it. I am checking to see if Jim Gordon ever did an LP, before the scitzo appeared.

can someone give me a hint, how can you play the screaming sound @ approximetly 4:02?

https://youtu.be/kB4ZlhOR6ew
A year later lol

Dude is his 70's

Love DM, love the song... but, yet another big name with no bass player, ie Winwood. Whaaa!!!

Bless you, Dave, there are still lots of us who remember you and cherish your music.

Love this version of Watch Tower- Dave Mason and his band absolutley fantastic- My Favourite- awesome Dave-

any thoughts on what effects he's using?

Brilliant version

Listening live Dave Mason is a great, wonderful time. Worth every second. If you got a chance, take it. I did. WOW!

i like listening to different version of this song. I must admit I do like the bobby womack version the best but this is really nice!

Chrystal sexydiabetic Did you know that Dave plays the opening intro to the Jimi Hendrix version?

seeing him live was an awesome experience! one my top 10 best ever shows.

paula detota I agree!

Superb!

Espectacular... "quien tuvo, retuvo..."

Many years ago, I was a Production Manager for a small booking and production company. When I heard we were doing a show with Dave Mason, I literally became overcome with emotion. That was 20 years ago. His performance is flawless and very moving. I remember buying his first album in the 60's that had a fold out picture of him wearing a top hat. Vinyl was so much better than the shit we hear today. You heard every instrument like it was there in front of you. Needless to say, it was an honor and a privilege to work with Dave Mason. He was very friendly and easy going. I don't think I have ever heard such clean and crisp guitar playing as with Dave. You folks planning to see him live are in for a real special show.

ashburn47 I have no idea what language gggggg is. Care to elaborate.

Duff Gordon. You got to be joking. Rivers is a tunesmith. Mason is a legend. How many songs is Rivers known for? Poor Side Of Town? Tears Of A Clown? Secret Agent Man? How many times has Feeling Alright been covered? Try to many to count. But it's good to know that. Johnny's brother is checking in to refresh peoples memory. Say hi to JR for me.

I bought DM's LP you describe. To put down Rivers, who started and packed solid the whiskey a go go for six months, with his name number one on the plaque. I enjoy and love them both, as they are both strait up loners, yet Rivers NEVER had a band, while Mason had Capaldi, Winwood and Gordon?? Rivers in my mind is known for about 150. BTW , is DM suffering? is he getting short changed? You, are a little boy who is amazed , daddy daddy mr mason was a nice man. My dad's response? WHY SHOULDN'T"T HE BE.
I bet you know zero about Rivers, who was the first to buy his own studio in memphis, a true loner. DM I picked as my favorite Watchtower. I guarantee you that they would have loved each other- JR 6 decades constantly changing- as the DM song says.

I hear you.  What has happened to the English language??  Call me "Old School", but I refuse to communicate in abbreviations/acronyms.

Yo Gomez- You are awfully quiet about Dylan's tribute to JR. Do not fall in the trap that JR was not "cool enough" Remember of all the artists JR was alone.
I had a laugh in a store tonight that played Marylyn McCoo and the Fifth Dimension. JR signed them to his Memphis label just before they broke out.
That's how sharp he was. DM is getting better imo as he was a skinny skeleton at his so called peak, but now he has massive fingers- no sweat playing strong chords and his voice Box the same deal- no put down but I have never ever seen anyone change as musch physically as Dave Mason.
BTW JR- 30 million lps sold.

His guitar tone is just stunning; thick, bluesy, fluid and beautiful. I'm completely jealous. And a 3-pickup Tele no less!

One of my favorites. Awesome

Looks like he's hitting that Lace Sensor on the neck through most of it. Probably gold, they are sweet, in all positions.

Awesome in the good ol Dave Mason Style 😎

Always loved his version.

I got to see Dave & his band in a restaurant venue The Mill,Spring Lake,NJ. This was back in 2005. The place held less than 100 for dinner. Seated at the stage,Dave & I talked between songs.All Along the Watchtower does even sound better person.He slapped a pick in my hand at the end. I was,knowing the venue owners able to buy Dave a Merlot and we got to talk a bit.Seen him twice since then in Morristown. What a talent! What a great guy! Lynda,my wife too young to know Traffic is now a Dave Mason fan.

Peter Szewzek You don't have to know Traffic to listen to Traffic. Right here on youtube. Duh!

He opened last night for the Doogie Brothers and Journey last night at the lakewood amphitheater in Atlanta. he played this song and it sounds so much better in person. he was amazing. phenomenal musician and vocalist.

Your putting up a toddler's picture tells us everything we need to know. Brake the Gomez lineage. Little one liners are put aside as "7the grade level" Keep him back again.

How did Gomez' "out of the blue get featured tonight" . regarding Dave Manson, Re I was probably the first one to say how good he was 35 years ago.> Gomeaz needs to go back and watch all the cheats "his people" applauded when Duran vs Buchanan put out his cheats on the 41-1 Buchanan- and so sorry to think as an entire country being for the cheater. Oh, Buchanan had just beaten Laguna 2X in 15- rounders, but would not himself fightLaguna- oh that's fair big boy. One in the remarkable 15 in 125 degrees.right off the plane. , there is no way that Buchanan could have come back (as he already had in the 13 th, stinging him the last seconds before thy end of the row. Any alien can see it unfold- don't you dare lose 3X.. Let's see. how many times was Duran flattened- and how many times in 555 rounds did Buchanan take the count- really, never in 555 rounds. Now we smell the smoke of why Duran, who graciously gave duran gave him his shot-- no I am not talking about speed. What I would like is for a full blooded Panamanian to say, what really happened that night, surprise me

@Duff Gordon You obviously can't recognize sarcasm when you see it but that is understandble. Making fun of my grandson is more your speed. To bad you stopped there. JOKE EM IF THEY CANT TAKE A FUCK!

@Duff Gordon Isn't duff short for duffice. Thought so. Bye duffice.

Andrew Ballew: How did you survive Dave Mason, The Doobie Brothers and Journey? I'm not sure that I'm strong enough to get through that much good music and those memories, all in one evening

Just saw him perform this live today... absolutely incredible!

I believe he played on hendrix's version with jimi

Mason is one of the 5 best guitar players ever. But then he has played wih the other 5 at some point in his career so who better to learn from than guys like Clapton

Christ, well done Dave. I think you are approaching 70. Love live Dave Mason!

His voice remains perfect !!!!!

timeless

I just hope his 2016 tour finds it's way north to Vancouver, BC! His voice hasn't changed and that guitar... I get goosebumps every time I watch this vid and "We Just Disagree"

like daves guitar tone but his phrasing leaves me cold

With all the great versions of this classic song, my favorite has always been Dave Mason's version. For those who haven't heard the original studio recording, I highly recommend it. Really powerful.

The guitar Dave is playing in this video is a Telecaster not a strat and yes he's getting some great sounds out of it. He still has a great voice too.

Awesome

Out of respect, let us not forget Randy California, the writer of "Taurus" who invited the 6 biggest names to each have his own turn, each man in his style. If you watch it notice that each is proud of the other because each has in own tone, style etc.
I have a very strong sense that he was a good guy. Jesus said that the greatest love is to give your life for another. His young boy got caught in the pacific coast riptide and randy somehow saved him while himself perished which is the better way of course. At least he didn't have to go through the ugliness with Led Z for the battle over Taurus/Stairway

Becoming a snack for sharks is not the way I want to go out  that or he became Sunday dinner for a family of crabs. Neither one is exactly what I'd call pleasant. . The funeral service is more for the families than the departed. It's closer for them . After all we are just "dust in the wind "

Not to disrespect the family but his disappearance was the best ending to the story that sounds like a fable already. Page or Randy? I'll take Randy's everytime. 

I respect your opinion ,but I disagree with you on best ending scenario. I'm sure Randy would have written it differently if he had the option. Personally I would prefer dying at home with my family around me and in as  little pain as possible. Although the way the world is spinning these day ,none of  us will have much of a say about our  own departure.  You might find the Bio of a singer  and guitarist with the Birds, Gram Parson a very interesting  story of the life and death of a rock star. Unbelievable ! 

EG he did the one single greatest thing a man can do, as Christ insisted that no greater love can a man display than to die for another. Now are you getting at Randy theoretically would have been found, chances mauled, missing a leg and that kind of thing? That would only create a spectacle. His spectacle (s) he left on stage. Ok I had missed your addition. No No No. I saw my father die slowly and it really effects the psyche. I will check out Graham Parsons. I can almost guarantee you that when you hear of a rocker going young it is almost always from drinking a fith or more every day. Do you know our brains are pre-wired for alcohol receptors and nicotine as well. God made man incredibly tough, but after 20-25-30 years or so they have a crisis as with duff mackeegan with guns and roses where his pancreas burst. He said he was pushing near two a day. Now that he is clean he is learning how to play the bass for real as before he was the blond pretty boy.
The best gift to your kids is  1) Your great,grand and I suffered with the pull of alcohol so if you try it beware that in 2 days you may be done. To my daughter- I had OCD so bad before they knew anything--- this is how I was taught to beat it. STRESSSSSS
is our number one enemy, and rockers go so late, booze gets them to sleep and wakes him up. You know. But if cigs can get you through the day , you will get THREE cough at 50. The answer is to buy a farmette and write songs/. 

He would have ended up in court with Paige over Taurus. Rather go down in the white caps- easy for me to say- do not forget that his boy/man, if all is well, knows without a Doubt his dad loved him with someone who who knew about such things. NO MAN HAS A GREATER LOVE >>>>Your comment that he would have loved to die with his family around his person is selfish- These attempts to find a body in the entire ocean I do not get- for the believer will receive a new one, and the "survivor " guilt has destroyed many lives as it is a real phenom. Now get this.TITANTIC< My dad was friends later in life with a boy whose family owned the old Ford/Philco division, and the parents went down in their thirties, but had him "Jack" taken into safe harbour, this is how it plays with the power of even subconscious guilt sent him into the garage with the car running- my guess he wanted to talk it out, but the parents were long gone. No hard feelings.

going down to the big city of Laughlin, NV to see Dave this Saturday. Dave still brings it every night. Always great to see a legend, especially in a tight venue! Cheers

Dave played the 12-string on the Hendrix original. I saw Dave a couple of years ago live and he commented that it took him multiple takes to get the 12 string part just right.

...amen

That was brilliant !!!

He's great but no bass player??

+De Falco The keyboard player is playing bass with his foot petals.

I LIKE ALL THE VERSIONS OF THIS BOB DYLAN SONG. I THINK THE ORIGINAL "JOHN WESLEY HARDING" LP WAS 2 MINUTES AND 16 SECONDS LONG. DEFINITELY IN MY TOP 10. I REMEMBER SEEING DAVE MASON AT JUANITA COLLEGE IN HUNTINGDON, PA. THAT'S WHERE MS JANE(BEVERLY HILLBILLIES) WAS A PROFESSOR. WHEN MASON BROKE UP WITH TRAFFIC HE PUT OUT A ALBUM CALLED "ALONE TOGETHER" THE FIRST (?) COPIES WERE COLORED. THE LP ITSELF WAS COLORED. PRETTY COOL AND A EXCELLENT ALBUM

+Joseph Smith it's in my garage bought 45 years ago.

Rock and Roll hall of famer who never got enough credit or airplay.Great guitarist and singer.

Around 50 years of great playing Dave still hasn't lost a thing .. A bit of a shame Jason Roller doesn't get lead in this ,the boy is an amazing player. a great band all around.

Joe H. In complete agreement
You can listen to every version of
this song available on you tube and this
one outshines them all!

Man, he still sounds great.

Bass player MIA?