Standing on the waters casting your bread
While the eyes of the idol with the iron head are glowing
Distant ships sailing into the mist
You were born with a snake in both of your fists while a hurricane was blowing
Freedom just around the corner for you
But with the truth so far off, what good will it do?
Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune
Bird fly high by the light of the moon
Oh, oh, oh, Jokerman
I’m usually either here or on the West Coast or down in the Caribbean. Me and another
guy have a boat down there. Jokerman kinda came to me in the islands. It’s very
mystical. The shapes there, and shadows, seem to be so ancient. The song was sorta
inspired by these spirits they call jumbis.
~Bob Dylan (to Kurt Loder, March 1984)
Studio A Power Station New York City, New York 14 April 1983 4th Infidels recording session. Produced by Mark Knopfler and Bob Dylan.
Standing on the waters casting your bread
While the eyes of the idol with the iron head are glowing
Distant ships sailing into the mist
You were born with a snake in both of your fists while a hurricane was blowing
Freedom just around the corner for you
But with the truth so far off, what good will it do?
#2 – Jokerman
Setlist
Highway 61 Revisited
Jokerman
All Along The Watchtower
Just Like A Woman
Maggie’s Farm
I And I
License To Kill
Greg Sutton: I’ve Got To Use My Imagination (Gerry Goffin & Barry Goldberg)
A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall
It Ain’t Me, Babe
It’s Alright, Ma (I’m Only Bleeding)
Simple Twist Of Fate
Masters Of War
Ballad Of A Thin Man
Enough Is Enough
Every Grain Of Sand
Lay Lady Lay
Like A Rolling Stone
–
Mr. Tambourine Man
Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right
Girl From The North Country
Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door
Señor (Tales Of Yankee Power)
The Times They Are A-Changin’
Tombstone Blues
Blowin’ In The Wind
Musicians:
Bob Dylan (vocal & guitar)
Mick Taylor (guitar)
Ian McLagan (keyboards)
Greg Sutton (bass)
Colin Allen (drums).
8-10, 18-20 Bob Dylan solo (vocal & guitar).
4, 9, 18 Bob Dylan harmonica.
21-25 Carlos Santana (guitar)
Been so long since a strange woman has slept in my bed
Look how sweet she sleeps, how free must be her dreams
In another lifetime she must have owned the world, or been faithfully wed
To some righteous king who wrote psalms beside moonlit streams