All Along The Watchtower

Lyrics: Bob Dylan
Music: Bob Dylan

This became a second set staple after Weir introduced it in 1987.

"There must be some way out of here", cried the joker to the thief
There's too much confusion here, I can't get no relief
Businessmen, they drink my wine, ploughmen 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 it is not our fate
So let us not talk falsely now, the hour is getting late

All along the watchtower, princes kept the view
Barefoot servants came and went, little children too (note 1)
Outside in the distance a wildcat did growl
Two riders were approaching, the wind began to howl

Notes
(1) The original Dylan line is different:
"While all the women came and went, barefoot servants too"
Grateful Dead Recordings
     Date Album
     18 Sep 1987 30 Trips Around The Sun
     31 Mar 1988 Road Trips Volume 4, Number 2
     24 Mar 1990 Dozin' At The Knick
     26 Jul 1987 Dylan And The Dead
      4 Jul 1989 Postcards Of The Hanging (note 2)
     10 Jul 1989 Giants Stadium 1987, 1989, 1991 Boxed Set
     26 Oct 1989 30 Trips Around The Sun
     18 Mar 1990 Spring 1990 (The Other One)
     19 Jul 1990 Dave's Picks Volume 40
     21 May 1993 (official YouTube video only)
     11 Jun 1993 (official YouTube video only)
     20 Jun 1991 Download Series Vol 11
     16 Dec 1992 Dick's Picks Vol 27
     27 Mar 1993 30 Trips Around The Sun
     11 Jul 1996 Furthur More
 
Phil Lesh and Friends Recordings
     19 May 2006 Live At The Warfield
 
Jerry Garcia Recordings
     25 Oct 1987 Pure Jerry: Lunt-Fontanne: Best Of The Rest Jerry Garcia Band
Notes
(2) also on Truckin' Up To Buffalo



Further Information
For more information on recordings see Matt Schofield's Grateful Dead Family Discography
For online chords and TAB see www.rukind.com

 


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