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All Along The Watchtower

Chords

4.91,474 votes

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Tuning: Standard
Tip: Transpose this tab down 4 steps, so you can play in A. 
     Then put on a capo 4th fret to get back to the original key.
     Most of Dylan's live versions are in A anyway.
[Verse 1]
C#m"There must be Bsome wAay out of hBere," C#msaid the jBoker to the tAhief,B  
C#m"There's too Bmuch coAnfusioBn, C#mI can't Bget no Arelief.B  
C#mBusinessBmen, they Adrink my winBe, C#mplowmen Bdig my AearthB,
C#mNone of Bthem alAong the lBine C#mknow what aBny of it is wAorth."B  
C#m  B A  B C#m  B A  B C#m  B A  B C#m  B A  B C#m
[Verse 2]
C#m"No reason to Bget exAcited,B" tC#mhe thiefB, he kiAndly spBoke,
C#m"There aBre many Ahere amoBng C#mus who feel Bthat life is Abut a Bjoke.
C#mBut you Band I, Awe've beeBn tC#mhrough that, Band this is Anot ouBr fate,
C#mSo let us not Btalk fAalsely BnoC#mw, the hBour is Agetting Blate."
[Verse 3]
C#mAll along the BwatchtAower, BpriC#mnces kepBt the vAiewB  
C#mWhile alBl the wAomen came BanC#md went, bareBfoot servantsA, too.B  
C#mOutside in thBe distaAnce a BwilC#mdcat did Bgrowl,A  B  
C#mTwo riders weBre apprAoachinBg, C#mthe wind Bbegan Ato howlB.
Yeh, I was just lookin around and the only chords on this site are the Hendrix version

All chords in this song (3)

The story behind the song

"All Along the Watchtower" features a cryptic conversation between a joker and a thief as they journey towards a watchtower, overwhelmed by their circumstances. The song's lyrics echo passages from the Book of Isaiah, particularly Chapter 21, verses 5–9, and also draw from the Book of Revelation. It explores themes of justice, with the thief consoling the victimized joker. This dark and sparse work, from Bob Dylan's 1967 album John Wesley Harding, stands in stark contrast to his earlier recordings. It plays like a tense, foreboding narrative, inviting listeners to ponder its deeper meanings.

AI-written from these sources:All Along the Watchtower — Wikipedia ↗Bob Dylan — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

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670,000+ free guitar chords · free-chords.com

All Along The Watchtower

by Bob Dylan

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

C#m

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tuning: Standard

Tip: Transpose this tab down 4 steps, so you can play in A.

Then put on a capo 4th fret to get back to the original key.

Most of Dylan's live versions are in A anyway.

[Verse 1]

C#m B A B C#m B A B

"There must be some way out of here," said the joker to the thief,

C#m B A B C#m B A B

"There's too much confusion, I can't get no relief.

C#m B A B C#m B A B

Businessmen, they drink my wine, plowmen dig my earth,

C#m B A B C#m B A B

None of them along the line know what any of it is worth."

C#m B A B C#m B A B C#m B A B C#m B A B C#m

[Verse 2]

C#m B A B C#m B A B

"No reason to get excited," the thief, he kindly spoke,

C#m B A B C#m B A B

"There are many here among us who feel that life is but a joke.

C#m B A B C#m B A B

But you and I, we've been through that, and this is not our fate,

C#m B A B C#m B A B

So let us not talk falsely now, the hour is getting late."

[Verse 3]

C#m B A B C#m B A B

All along the watchtower, princes kept the view

C#m B A B C#m B A B

While all the women came and went, barefoot servants, too.

C#m B A B C#m B A B

Outside in the distance a wildcat did growl,

C#m B A B C#m B A B

Two riders were approaching, the wind began to howl.

Yeh, I was just lookin around and the only chords on this site are the Hendrix version

About All Along The Watchtower Chords by Bob Dylan

Learn how to play All Along The Watchtower by Bob Dylan with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “All Along The Watchtower chords”, “All Along The Watchtower guitar chords”, or “Bob Dylan All Along The Watchtower chords” and you will find this page — transpose to any key, tap chords for diagrams, and use auto-scroll while you play. Perfect for beginners looking for easy All Along The Watchtower chords and for experienced players who want accurate All Along The Watchtower lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include A, C#m, B.

FAQ — All Along The Watchtower by Bob Dylan

How do I play "All Along The Watchtower" by Bob Dylan on guitar?

Open the free chords for "All Along The Watchtower" by Bob Dylan on Free Chord Book. Tap any chord to see its diagram, use transpose to change the key, and turn on auto-scroll to play hands-free.

Are the chords for "All Along The Watchtower" by Bob Dylan free?

Yes. The chords for "All Along The Watchtower" by Bob Dylan are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "All Along The Watchtower" to a different key?

Yes. Use the transpose buttons on the song page to shift "All Along The Watchtower" up or down by half-steps so it matches your vocal range or capo position.

Can I see chord diagrams for "All Along The Watchtower"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "All Along The Watchtower" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "All Along The Watchtower" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "All Along The Watchtower" by Bob Dylan with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Bob Dylan below.

What key is "All Along The Watchtower" in?

The chords for "All Along The Watchtower" show the original chord names (including A, C#m, B). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.