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-   -   Finally! The Watchman's Gone!! Read the meaning... (http://www.corfid.com/vbb//showthread.php?t=14189)

Phil McCup 09-08-2003 02:23 PM
Watchman, I have wanted to ask this question for sometime.

Sed quis custodiet ipsos custodes?

TheWatchman 09-10-2003 01:44 PM
Phil,

huh? http://www.corfid.com/ubb/confused.gif

Auburn Annie 09-10-2003 03:36 PM
Sed quis custodiet ipsos custodes =

Who watches the watchmen? (from Juvenal)

Auburn Annie 09-10-2003 03:36 PM
Sed quis custodiet ipsos custodes =

Who watches the watchmen? (from Juvenal)

Phil McCup 09-11-2003 07:23 AM
Well done Annie. Spot on. I have heard people translate this as "Who Guards The Guards". Yours is the truer translation.

By the way, I can recommend reading "Juvenal's Satires"

Phil McCup 09-11-2003 07:23 AM
Well done Annie. Spot on. I have heard people translate this as "Who Guards The Guards". Yours is the truer translation.

By the way, I can recommend reading "Juvenal's Satires"

BILLW 09-11-2003 08:08 PM
Well Phil,

I can say that I've done it myself. As the Sgt. Of The Guard it was my assignment to watch the watchmen or guard the guards, whichever you prefer. Nice work if you can get it.

Quod scripsi, scripsi

Pax Vobiscum

Bill http://www.corfid.com/ubb/smile.gif

Tyler 09-22-2004 10:34 PM
Harmony this is the thread.

brink 09-22-2004 10:34 PM
Harmony this is the thread.

SevenOf61 05-12-2010 03:18 PM
Re: Finally! The Watchman's Gone!! Read the meaning...
 
Well, I just found this thread, a few years too late, but since it is my favorite Lightfoot song, I will give you my take.

The "Watchmen", aside from the literal railroad meaning, is to me all of the struggles in life itself.

Not to be overly sanguine, but there is a letter and a CD beside my Last Will in a safety deposit box, instructing my family to play this song at the conclusion of my funeral.. which hopefully is many years hence. I think it will perfectly explain to anyone who really listens just what I tried to say so all these years, but could never get right.

bjm7777 05-12-2010 07:53 PM
Re: Finally! The Watchman's Gone!! Read the meaning...
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by talbot10 (Post 96224)
"The Watchman's gone" was inspired by the Movie "Emporer of the North" which came out prior to the the "Sundown" album. The movie starred Ernest Borgiene and Lee Marvin. Gord is literally singing about the old train watchmen from the depression era "kicking the bums about"
Bill
This would be the best explanation, I think.

SevenOf61 05-13-2010 01:18 PM
Re: Finally! The Watchman's Gone!! Read the meaning...
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by SevenOf61 (Post 162016)
The "Watchmen", aside from the literal railroad meaning, is to me all of the struggles in life itself.
To each his own my friend.


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