All Along The Watchtower
Ben Harper · Other Songs - Ben Harper
( Bob Dylan )
"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.
"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.
All Along The Watchtower
Ben Harper's 1995 recording of 'All Along The Watchtower' stands as a definitive reinterpretation of the classic Bob Dylan composition. While the original was famously covered by The Beatles, Harper's version reimagines the song within his signature acoustic blues and folk-rock framework. The track features his distinctive fingerstyle guitar work and vocal delivery, transforming the narrative of the original into a more intimate, storytelling-driven performance. Released as a standalone single rather than on a specific album, the recording became a staple of Harper's discography, showcasing his ability to honor legacy while establishing his own unique voice in the roots music genre.