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Credits
PERFORMING ARTISTS
Bob Dylan
Vocals
Mick Taylor
Guitar
Mark Knopfler
Guitar
Sly Dunbar
Drums
Alan Clark
Keyboards
Robbie Shakespeare
Bass
COMPOSITION & LYRICS
Bob Dylan
Songwriter
PRODUCTION & ENGINEERING
Bob Dylan
Producer
Mark Knopfler
Producer
Josh Abbey
Engineer
Frank Dickinson
Recording Engineer
Bill Kipper
Mastering Engineer
Neil Dorfsman
Engineer
Ian Taylor
Mixing Engineer
Lyrics
[Verse 1]
Standing on the waters, casting your bread
While the eyes of the idol with the iron head are glowing
Distant ships sailing in through 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 truth so far off, what good will it do?
[Chorus]
Jokerman, dance to the nightingale tune
Bird fly high by the light of the moon
Oh, oh, oh, Jokerman
[Verse 2]
So swiftly the sun sets in the sky
You rise up and say goodbye to no one
Fools rush in where angels fear to tread
Both of their futures, so full of dread, you don't show one
Shedding off one more layer of skin
Keeping one step ahead of the persecutor within
[Chorus]
Jokerman, dance to the nightingale tune
Bird fly high by the light of the moon
Oh, oh, oh, Jokerman
[Verse 3]
You're a man of the mountains, you can walk on the clouds
Manipulator of crowds, you're a dream twister
You're going to Sodom and Gomorrah
But what do you care? Ain't nobody there would want to marry your sister
Friend to the martyr, a friend to the woman of shame
You look into the fiery furnace, see the rich man without any name
[Chorus]
Jokerman, dance to the nightingale tune
Bird fly high by the light of the moon
Oh, oh, oh, Jokerman
[Verse 4]
Well, the Book of Leviticus and Deuteronomy
The law of the jungle and the sea are your only teachers
In the smoke of the twilight on a milk-white steed
Michelangelo indeed could've carved out your features
Resting in the fields, far from the turbulent space
Half asleep near the stars with a small dog licking your face
[Chorus]
Jokerman, dance to the nightingale tune
Bird fly high by the light of the moon
Oh, oh, oh, Jokerman
[Verse 5]
Well, the rifleman's stalking the sick and the lame
Preacherman seeks the same, who'll get there first is uncertain
Nightsticks and water cannons, tear gas, padlocks
Molotov cocktails and rocks behind every curtain
False-hearted judges dying in the webs that they spin
Only a matter of time till night comes stepping in
[Chorus]
Jokerman, dance to the nightingale tune
Bird fly high by the light of the moon
Oh, oh, oh, Jokerman
[Verse 6]
It's a shadowy world, skies are slippery grey
A woman just gave birth to a prince today and dressed him in scarlet
He'll put the priest in his pocket, put the blade to the heat
Take the motherless children off the street, and place them at the feet of a harlot
Oh, Jokerman, you know what he wants
Oh, Jokerman, you don't show any response
[Chorus]
Jokerman, dance to the nightingale tune
Bird fly high by the light of the moon
Oh, oh, Jokerman
Written by: Bob Dylan