Well, I think I have finally cracked the code to the meaning of this song.

I think "The Watchman" is death or the devil. Doesn't really matter because they are one in the same as far as this song is concerned. The singer is speaking some words of wisdom to his brother perhaps.

"If you live to follow the golden sun
You better beware
Knowin' the watchman's always there" and "The watchman's out
Kickin' your dreams about" As many go through life living only for today, whether it be chasing fame or just a carefree lifestyle, you better beware because death or the devil is always out to rob you of your dreams. Instead, live your life knowing that the Watchman is always there and he (it) cannot sneak up on you and take all. How can one accomplish this?

The only way to be free of The Watchman is to either die, or be saved. I use the word "saved" because this song may be about the devil. He speaks of death in the song and finally being free. Only using the words "if you find me feeding daisies". "If" is the key to this not necessarily meaning death as the means to freedom. But at the same time..."If I wait for the right moment
You can bet I'll climb aboard unseen
I've done it before
I know I can do it in my sleep"To me this means that he has found this freedom from The Watchman through salvation.

Beating the devil (and or cheating death) and no longer having The Watchman following close behind trying to steal your dreams and or kill you. Once you are saved, you know that the devil can do nothing to you. Hence, freedom from The Watchman. Finally, the singer has found freedom..."it feels so good knowing the watchman's gone".

Saying that this song is only about freedom through death, does not fit Lightfoot's normal style of writing. Knowing how he goes about writing his music, it really doesn't fit. Not that death isn't the case for this song, but I think it is highly unlikely.

It is more probable that this song is about salvation. He has never said what this song is about. It is written so clever that it's meaning is so well hidden within the lines that it has remained a mystery.

I don't think it's a mystery any longer. At least not to me. Either way, death or the devil, they both fit perfectly.

What do you think?

Well, I think I have finally cracked the code to the meaning of this song.

I think "The Watchman" is death or the devil. Doesn't really matter because they are one in the same as far as this song is concerned. The singer is speaking some words of wisdom to his brother perhaps.

"If you live to follow the golden sun
You better beware
Knowin' the watchman's always there" and "The watchman's out
Kickin' your dreams about" As many go through life living only for today, whether it be chasing fame or just a carefree lifestyle, you better beware because death or the devil is always out to rob you of your dreams. Instead, live your life knowing that the Watchman is always there and he (it) cannot sneak up on you and take all. How can one accomplish this?

The only way to be free of The Watchman is to either die, or be saved. I use the word "saved" because this song may be about the devil. He speaks of death in the song and finally being free. Only using the words "if you find me feeding daisies". "If" is the key to this not necessarily meaning death as the means to freedom. But at the same time..."If I wait for the right moment
You can bet I'll climb aboard unseen
I've done it before
I know I can do it in my sleep"To me this means that he has found this freedom from The Watchman through salvation.

Beating the devil (and or cheating death) and no longer having The Watchman following close behind trying to steal your dreams and or kill you. Once you are saved, you know that the devil can do nothing to you. Hence, freedom from The Watchman. Finally, the singer has found freedom..."it feels so good knowing the watchman's gone".

Saying that this song is only about freedom through death, does not fit Lightfoot's normal style of writing. Knowing how he goes about writing his music, it really doesn't fit. Not that death isn't the case for this song, but I think it is highly unlikely.

It is more probable that this song is about salvation. He has never said what this song is about. It is written so clever that it's meaning is so well hidden within the lines that it has remained a mystery.

I don't think it's a mystery any longer. At least not to me. Either way, death or the devil, they both fit perfectly.

What do you think?

You know, I think your right http://www.corfid.com/ubb/smile.gif!

Thanks for the reminder that it is a good song, a song full of our life.

[This message has been edited by gwen snyder (edited September 11, 2003).]

Thanks for the reminder that it is a good song, a song full of our life.

[This message has been edited by gwen snyder (edited September 11, 2003).]

"The Watchman" (according to the song) will always keep you in check. He won't let you be too happy and if you are, he will give you a good dose of reality. But the singer has also found the formula to beat The Watchman. This is where it could be about death, the devil or even drug addiction.

You are going along chasing your dreams, living carefree and then out of nowhere The Watchman squashes you, or perhaps catches up with you.

Gwen, very true about "stop fearing or deading death". It really is a song full of life. Not too long ago I posted that it was a comforting song. I couldn't put my finger on why, but now I think I understand.

Thanks, Watchman, brink, gwen and DMD3, for the things you've written. I'm now going to leave the computer and go listen to the song. The more I learn about Gordon Lightfoot, the more I love and admire him.

Thanks, Watchman, brink, gwen and DMD3, for the things you've written. I'm now going to leave the computer and go listen to the song. The more I learn about Gordon Lightfoot, the more I love and admire him.

Dear Watchman,
Did any of these insights come directly from Gord during your Chiniguntha River canoeing encounter?
Had to ask.
Rebecca

quote:Originally posted by TheWatchman:
Well, I think I have finally cracked the code to the meaning of this song.

I think "The Watchman" is death or the devil. Doesn't really matter because they are one in the same as far as this song is concerned. The singer is speaking some words of wisdom to his brother perhaps.

"If you live to follow the golden sun
You better beware
Knowin' the watchman's always there" and "The watchman's out
Kickin' your dreams about" As many go through life living only for today, whether it be chasing fame or just a carefree lifestyle, you better beware because death or the devil is always out to rob you of your dreams. Instead, live your life knowing that the Watchman is always there and he (it) cannot sneak up on you and take all. How can one accomplish this?

The only way to be free of The Watchman is to either die, or be saved. I use the word "saved" because this song may be about the devil. He speaks of death in the song and finally being free. Only using the words "if you find me feeding daisies". "If" is the key to this not necessarily meaning death as the means to freedom. But at the same time..."If I wait for the right moment
You can bet I'll climb aboard unseen
I've done it before
I know I can do it in my sleep"To me this means that he has found this freedom from The Watchman through salvation.

Beating the devil (and or cheating death) and no longer having The Watchman following close behind trying to steal your dreams and or kill you. Once you are saved, you know that the devil can do nothing to you. Hence, freedom from The Watchman. Finally, the singer has found freedom..."it feels so good knowing the watchman's gone".

Saying that this song is only about freedom through death, does not fit Lightfoot's normal style of writing. Knowing how he goes about writing his music, it really doesn't fit. Not that death isn't the case for this song, but I think it is highly unlikely.

It is more probable that this song is about salvation. He has never said what this song is about. It is written so clever that it's meaning is so well hidden within the lines that it has remained a mystery.

I don't think it's a mystery any longer. At least not to me. Either way, death or the devil, they both fit perfectly.

What do you think?

Rebecca,

Gord would not even ackowledge my questions about the song. I almost left him stranded in his canoe against that rock but felt sorry for him. http://www.corfid.com/ubb/smile.gif

Watchman,

VERY COOL. If any of the "real" old Watchman bashers are still around that little post should lure 'em out.

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

The Watchmans out, crackin the codes about.

I have always thought this song was about death in general--not necessarily the devil. In light of this Watchman, will you be changing your name?

I have always thought this song was about death in general--not necessarily the devil. In light of this Watchman, will you be changing your name?

Absolutely not.

I guess I need to give this song another thoughtful listen...I am intrigued.

I guess I need to give this song another thoughtful listen...I am intrigued.

Bravo! Bravo! http://www.corfid.com/ubb/smile.gif You got no doubts from me that you're right. Later! http://www.corfid.com/ubb/cool.gif

------------------
Borderstone - "Little 'Ol Message Maker Me!" :)

"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

Hi Talbot10, interesting story. I have never heard of that before, was it in an interview that you found that out? Thanks for the post.

Hi Talbot10, interesting story. I have never heard of that before, was it in an interview that you found that out? Thanks for the post.

quote:Originally posted by brink:
Hi Talbot10, interesting story. I have never heard of that before, was it in an interview that you found that out? Thanks for the post.

Hi Brink,

Sorry I should have prambled my statement with "My theory is". I did not mean to say that I knew that positively. I remember believing it to be the case at the time and have ofter wondered if Gord was possibly being considered for the soundtrack of the movie. I do believe he means that song literally. The watchman on those trains in the depression era were scoundrels. Sorry to mislead you as to the authenticity of my "theory"

Thanks-but it is a good theory, I often try to pick apart the meanings of some of these songs and love to read what others have figured out.

Thanks-but it is a good theory, I often try to pick apart the meanings of some of these songs and love to read what others have figured out.

Watchman, I have wanted to ask this question for sometime.

Sed quis custodiet ipsos custodes?

Watchman, I have wanted to ask this question for sometime.

Sed quis custodiet ipsos custodes?

Phil,

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

Sed quis custodiet ipsos custodes =

Who watches the watchmen? (from Juvenal)

Sed quis custodiet ipsos custodes =

Who watches the watchmen? (from Juvenal)

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"

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"

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

Harmony this is the thread.

Harmony this is the thread.

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.

Re: Finally! The Watchman's Gone!! Read the meaning...
 

This would be the best explanation, I think.

Re: Finally! The Watchman's Gone!! Read the meaning...
 

To each his own my friend.