JOKERMAN BOB DYLAN
G Bm
Standing on the water, casting your bread
C D G G/C G
While the eyes of the idol with the iron head are glowing
G Bm
Distant ships sailing into the mist
C D
You were born with a snake in both of your fists
G G/C G
While a hurricane was blowing
Am D G
Freedom, just around the corner for you
Am D G C
But with truth so far off, what good will it do?
Chorus
D C
Jokerman, dance to the nightingale tune
G D/F# Em
Bird fly high by the light of the moon
C D G G/C G
Oh, oh-oh-oh, Jokerman
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
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 & 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
Well the Book of Leviticus and Deuteronomy,
The law of the jungle and the sea are your only teacher
In the smoke of the twilight, on a milk white steed
Michaelangelo, indeed, could have carved out your features
Resting in the fields, far from the turbulent space
Half asleep 'neath the stars with a small dog licking your face
Chorus
Well the rifleman's stalking the sick and the lame
Preacherman seeks the same, who'll get there first is uncertain
Nightsticks, water cannons, teargas, 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 steppin' in
Chorus
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
*****************************************************************************************
The above is solely MY INTERPRETATION of this great song, in a format aimed at learning guitarists.
No attempt has been made to copy or reproduce the artist's or publisher's sheet music for the song,
if such exists.
It can be used for INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. To play the song as it should be played, you should
purchase the official sheetmusic for the song. You should also purchase and listen to the song to learn
the rhythm and timing of the song - this is essential if you wish to play the song with any degree of accuracy
*****************************************************************************************