Jokerman

Song Jokerman
Artist Bob Dylan
Album The Best of Bob Dylan [Sony/BMG 2005]

Lyrics

[00:02.16] Standing on the waters casting your bread
[00:04.48] While the eyes of the idol with the iron head are glowing.
[00:10.23]
[00:12.93] Distant ships sailing into the mist'
[00:15.55] You were born with a snake in both of
[00:18.36] your fists while a hurricane was blowing.
[00:21.11]
[00:23.13] Freedom just around the corner for you
[00:28.38]
[00:29.57] But with the truth so far off' what good will it do?
[00:34.82]
[00:37.13] Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune'
[00:40.76] Bird fly high by the light of the moon'
[00:44.33] Oh' oh' oh' Jokerman.
[00:49.33]
[00:51.89] So swiftly the sun sets in the sky'
[00:55.58] You rise up and say goodbye to no one.
[00:59.83] Fools rush in where angels fear to tread'
[01:05.77] Both of their futures' so full of dread' you don't show one.
[01:11.04]
[01:13.47] Shedding off one more layer of skin'
[01:18.10]
[01:19.79] Keeping one step ahead of the persecutor within.
[01:23.91] Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune'
[01:30.85] Bird fly high by the light of the moon'
[01:34.41] Oh' oh' oh' Jokerman.
[01:40.11]
[01:41.36] You're a man of the mountains' you can walk on the clouds'
[01:44.80] Manipulator of crowds' you're a dream twister.
[01:49.55]
[01:51.80] You're going to Sodom and Gomorrah
[01:53.93] But what do you care? Ain't nobody there would want to marry your sister.
[02:00.61]
[02:03.11] Friend to the martyr' a friend to the woman of shame'
[02:09.55] You look into the fiery furnace' see the rich man without any name.
[02:15.18]
[02:17.11] Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune'
[02:20.61] Bird fly high by the light of the moon'
[02:24.11] Oh' oh' oh' Jokerman.
[02:30.43]
[02:41.55] Well' the Book of Leviticus and Deuteronomy'
[02:45.40] The law of the jungle and the sea are your only teachers.
[02:50.71]
[02:52.15] In the smoke of the twilight on a milk-white steed'
[02:56.34] Michelangelo indeed could've carved out your features.
[03:01.45]
[03:03.33] Resting in the fields' far from the turbulent space'
[03:08.27]
[03:09.83] Half asleep near the stars with a small dog licking your face.
[03:15.02]
[03:17.40] Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune'
[03:20.90] Bird fly high by the light of the moon'
[03:24.14] Oh. oh. oh. Jokerman.
[03:30.96]
[03:41.89] Well' the rifleman's stalking the sick and the lame'
[03:45.58] Preacherman seeks the same' who'll get there first is uncertain.
[03:50.39]
[03:52.83] Nightsticks and water cannons' tear gas' padlocks'
[03:56.27] Molotov cocktails and rocks behind every curtain'
[04:01.27]
[04:03.39] False-hearted judges dying in the webs that they spin'
[04:08.97]
[04:09.78] Only a matter of time 'til night comes steppin' in.
[04:14.91]
[04:17.28] Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune'
[04:20.85] Bird fly high by the light of the moon'
[04:24.35] Oh' oh' oh' Jokerman.
[04:30.03]
[04:41.85] It's a shadowy world' skies are slippery gray'
[04:45.66] A woman just gave birth to a prince today and dressed him in scarlet.
[04:52.47] He'll put the priest in his pocket' put the blade to the heat'
[04:56.16] Take the motherless children off the street
[04:58.72] And place them at the feet of a harlot.
[05:02.85]
[05:03.41] Oh' Jokerman' you know what he wants'
[05:10.54] Oh' Jokerman' you don't show any response.
[05:16.60]
[05:17.41] Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune'
[05:20.91] Bird fly high by the light of the moon'
[05:24.66] Oh' oh' oh' Jokerman.