The Nightwatchman - Until the End

Tom Morello at the Axis of Justice Benefit Concert in 2004 playing Until the End
axisofjustice.org

[@MrAlexomegas]

I get the Johnny Cash statement one of you mentioned, but I am seeing Leonard Cohen by way of a Bruce Springsteen solo mystique coupled with Woody Guthrie sentament.

[@PinetopJackson]

That's a really good description!

[@jdwoods2008]

Throw in a little Billy Bragg

[@horatiohuffnagel7978]

Fuck I used to play this 10 years ago back in high school. I forgot all about until a few days ago. You forget so much about yourself as your life goes on.

[@CloudVisionPro]

+Horatio Huffnagel haha insane, I was a senior when I would listen to this song; crazy how it only has 500k views..you'd think there would be more by now. I haven't seen this video since then.

[@SiochainGra]

True about how much we forget.

[@metamaurer]

Je älter Du wirst desto besser erinnerst Du Dich an die damaligen Dinge.😊

[@evelinekettle1150]

Tom Morello is a supremely principled and talented man. His voice and sincerity are reminiscent of the great Johnny Cash

[@nateatchison161]

His voice comes across a forced here, he seems a bit uncomfortable yet. But a great tune. Tom, in my opinion doesn't get the respect he's due. But theres time for people to come around... Rally round the family, pocket full of shells..

[@Blondiee10]

More like Leonard Cohen...

[@WarriorOfHeaven]

As a major Johnny Cash fan, I have to agree. But it does have a Leonard Cohen vibe too. Two musical geniuses with a nice touch of an amazing guitarist. Love Tom Morello.

[@LesBarber]

@@Blondiee10 You nailed it VH

[@robertalexander6448]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@TheAntiBright]

I love Tom Morello, I like RATM and I like Audioslave, obviously I like the nightwatchman, but I love Morello as a guitarist first and foremost.

[@Alex_YT_handler]

No one knows who gave the orders No one asks about the crime No one looks behind the curtain No one questions why The only time we've got Is right about now I cross my heart I take the vow I'll never turn I'll never bend I'm with you now Until the end Tonight's the test Tonight's the time I am the punishment That fits the crime I'll break the bricks I'll pick the locks I don't got nothin' But I'll give what I got I'll never turn I'll never bend I'm with you now Until the end Ten trials whose outcomes All fixed from the start Nine judges sitting counting Their money in the dark Eight towers of iron Surround the desert town On a cold December morning Seven martyrs knocked them down Six fathers still waiting For their six sons to come home Five mothers who know better And accept that they're gone Four years I've been hunted Still I breathe free Three times I shot the sheriff And did not spare the deputy Two prayers I'm praying Until we're together One promise I'm keeping Tonight and forever I'll never turn I'll never bend I'm with you now Until the end

[@McKennsy]

Im not trolling, honest, just wondering if someone could tell me a bit more about the story behind the real world events that seem to have inspired the song.

[@AndrewJSmith-mk4vh]

SO Friggin Awesome! I'm with you Tom Morello,....Until The End!

[@omrismoopani3779]

well now. i do believe i must learn this song for busking.. oh yeah thats happening

[@Smuffleri]

I remember how Tom explained his early days of guitar playing. He said that when he was young he noticed that most metal guitarists in his neighbourhood were only interested in speed. Then he decided that that wasn't the race he wanted to race.

[@WindyLindiaaiken]

Yet, he’s got the fastest guitarist hands in the land.✊

[@kth5077]

Linda Taylor .. No he doesn't...

[@fredgorey]

@ mitchumm7410. His parents met in August 1963, while attending a pro-democracy protest in Nairobi, Kenya, and Morello was conceived the first night they made love in a hut. After discovering her pregnancy, they returned to the US and married in New York City. The father returned to his native Kenya, and denied his paternity of his son.& was raised solely by his mother . so he knows what it's like to be poor.

[@HomebrandMusic01]

Christ, if this song was made 50 years ago it would still get played on the radio today. Brilliant lyrics.

[@LyesinFang]

I an going to censor this comment but..How the f*** have I not found this stuff before I love rage, I love audioslave, I love prophets of rage, but how have I never f*****g heard him lead vocals let alone on an acoustic guitar.. I respecter the f*****g hell out of him before but damn this bands stuff just ups that ten fold...I have no idea how I haven't found this stuff sooner but slash has nothing on tom ........I will go as far to say while Hendrix on guitar might have been better, tom over all as a musician is better and I know many might disagree but he is at least on that level with the over all music (guitars and vocals) and the meaning behind it

[@kudegra1147]

Tom morello is the fucking man

[@DylanLeonMiner]

It's like Bob Dylan and Johnny cash formed a band. but it's just one guy. and he is awesome. He is my main guitar influence

[@guitarpie123]

plus, this isnt just 'talking at a low octave' hes singing like johnny cash, one of the best musicians who ever lived. And this proves he can play diversly, going from hard rock and rap to funky classic like rock and metal with hip hop plus folk and country. If anything, this just proves how amazing he is

[@TrapSquad]

This Is so Awsome Fuckin Badass Song!!!! Love it

[@random95725]

I would never be one tenth as good as Tom Morello in playing guitar. So much respect for him.

[@timvanalstede7989]

He is the best!

[@tomparry369]

Very Neil Young?

[@mindcrime2010]

the begging is reminiscent of - ''Everybody knows'' by concrete blonde...!!!

[@misseleanorryan]

woaw that was my first time to hear it and wow im blown away.

[@dub.ggrussing4387]

i dont think hes communist, hes a great guitarist thats fighting for his beliefs and trying to change the world with his music because his music has a message.

[@michealklee8844]

Solidarity forever ✊🏻union Strong 💪 Chicago carpenters local 10☝🏽❤️🇺🇸

[@m46273]

Love Morello, but he Caved like Nick.

[@FreedomAtRisk]

YEP

[@johnysavs]

I have just now become aware of Tom Morello's Nightwatchman work and I am completely impressed. This is heartfelt meaningful poignant and powerful music that we haven't seen since the early sixties (Billy Bragg please don't take offense). For a guitarist as technically magnificent as Morello to have this strikingly different side to his creativity is amazing and I for one will try and soak up as much of The Nightwatchman as I can. Rock on Tom!

[@Skippy7470]

I've become obsessed with this song and his voice. He just keeps comin' out with different ways to spread what he believes in. I love Tom.

[@driverain2]

@ 2.02.2022 I am obsessed too. All these years later......timeless lyrics and tune.

[@brianhaake2414]

Don’t agree with a lot of T Morello’s political views but admire his talent and enjoy his music very much!😊👍🏾

[@user-bq4cq5jv9b]

Thanks for this journey to poetry and high rise view away from everyday life.

[@diegosantiago6033]

O maior comunista de todos os tempos❤

[@BagheeraZEE]

Listening to this on repeat as a sad Bernie Sis

[@CosmoxYRik]

When I first tried to play this song, I had trouble switching from fingers to pick after the intro, so I when I saw it live I wanted to see how he was doing it. Tom fingerpicked the intro, then paused for effect while he fished a pick out of his shirt pocket.

[@rileybowman5988]

I love watching him play and interview. Since I was a little kid I’d watch videos of Tom. He’s so intelligent and well spoken.

[@stevekathman3583]

Tom Morello is an original artist. He Plys fantastic and his voice is his own. Why does everyone have to compare someone to another and just give credit where due.

[@MrCejlon123]

Tom's songs aren't songs, its the way of the life.

[@brianhaake2414]

To say you disagree with someone’s political views is not an insult. It is only a statement of facts. If facts offend you then.....?

[@VarjuanV]

I see no other way than art

[@Rawdiswar]

Tolga E Science

[@ilgladiatoremax]

Grande stima per questo grande chitarrista!!! Grazie a questi personaggi che ci trasmettono la passione e la voglia di suonare!!!

[@FOURJAINDOTS]

chris can sing in albulms but i dont know about other people but live he just doesnt sing the way he sings in his albulms but im not saying the dude doesnt have talent, but zach is way bettr than him live no one and i mean no one has has that energy that zach has.

[@montyshedrick]

capitolism begins with the simple fact that we want to be paid for the work we do. and be rewarded at the end of the day. bettering our lives in the process. it's a natural feeling for a man or woman to want more for themselves or their families. greed is what happens when we let that simple feeling corrupt and delude our heads. and man was sert to self destruct since the begining. god's greatest gift to man "free will" is it's ultimate enemy

[@montyshedrick]

capitolism begins with the simple fact that we want to be paid for the work we do. and be rewarded at the end of the day. bettering our lives in the process. it's a natural feeling for a man or woman to want more for themselves or their families. greed is what happens when we let that simple feeling corrupt and delude our heads. and man was sert to self destruct since the begining. god's greatest gift to man "free will" is it's ultimate enemy

[@Thedahdumdum]

@PhattyMilkz So because of whatever being or concept that has a say in these matters chose me and you (I'm assuming) to be born into a certain degree of wealth while the rest of the world struggles every day to survive. Sure it's great that i have a laptop but i would gladly sacrafice it for a world of fairness, peace and love, wouldn't you. The reason why this doesn't happen is because the people with the power to really change things are benefiting from the unjust system.

[@nocturnezero]

@jayzulla The chronology of Marxism leads to a stateless society with a common pool of surplus resources that people draw from at will to satisfy their needs. The transitional economy is one where people contribute their labor hours and receive fair payment in accordance with their deeds, likely enforced by the State. Over time, as with the culture across the world, moral nature would change from self interest to communal interest. Greed is not inherent, it is taught.

[@nocturnezero]

@mitchumm7410 1. When did a prerequisite for Communism become experiencing poverty? Why divide up what people should believe based on their economic class? If a wealthy Socialist who'd never suffered a day of work suddenly experienced severe poverty, wouldn't he be more inclined to Socialism and Communism, not less? 2. He grew up in severe poverty. 3. Shut up and sing is a paradox. 4. When did it become abhorrent for art to have a message?

[@halleysing]

not exactly, tom is like them,just because his songs are not just solos and fast licks it doesnt mean that he cant play that, he surely can play like petrucci, or satch or vai and i think that even better because of his weird guitar techniques and sounds... but is not just his style..Im a satch fan but sometimes you just have to admit the truth.. being fast doesnt make you aguitarrist like morello

[@nickty4]

I didnt say what he should do, I was giving my opinion. Saying he should NOT sing is cause his voice makes me wanna cut my ears off, toss them in a blender, turn it on and pour the bloody mess into the toilet and flush that shit... Noone is pretending like the world is okay but pretending that everything we can solve all the worlds problems is childish... and its even more ignorant to look at only the negative in the world... there is plenty fo good stuff. This music should be classified as EMO!

[@amanuelamanuel]

dude, soad don't want to destroy the turks (lol). i'm a syriac and my people lived in together with armenians and turks in turkey and people in my family have witnessed the genocide and it would be ridiculus if you said that it is all made up. and yes, i have studied it too... and just so you know, i have nothing against turks, i have friends who are from turkey but it's just stupid to try to protect their goverment. peace

[@schizofrantic]

Shamelads, I did not contradict myself. You can't compare people to the entire world and vice versa. Plus, people are capable of doing more things at the same time. What I meant to say was that people shouldn't wait for someone else (e.g. Morello) to save them; people should save themselves by doing the right things, making the right choices etcetera - and by doing so, we can create a better world.

[@nocturnezero]

@PhattyMilkz What does that have to do with man's greed? The person I was responding to contended that somehow greed corrupted Communism (which is false - even in supposedly Communist states, greed wasn't their downfall), which I disputed by explaining the theory, detailed by Che Guevara, that man's nature changes with the economic conditions under which he labors.

[@pirateconvention]

I think he is in E minor, because like you said A minor with the capo at the seventh fret would be E. To get the minor key you take the sixth step of the major scale, therefor even if he was in D minor than the relative major would B. So what you said doesnt make sense to me. But whatev im not debating your knowledge im just trying to figure out what the friggin key hes in

[@therifas2]

One of the worlds best guitarist, is also a very great singer. When I listen to his songs now, it reminds me of how great Audioslave was. Audioslave should really come together again, and get Chris Cornell back. I think Rage sounds good, but far from Audioslave. Hear the songs "Be Yourself", "Like a Stone" and "I amd the highway".

[@nickty4]

as to what am I oblivious? This is nowhere as good as rage. He should NOT sing and hes not a politician but he sure as hell tries... It really gets old to hear him change the music of rage but try to continue their message, It just doesnt work... I'm not sayin hes bad but its just not what tom should be doing with all his talent cause it doesnt showcase his genius.....

[@100017]

Amen to that metaldudeguy, discrimination and hate will eventually kill us all as a human race, people just need to live together, because we are all the same, we are all human (however, some people like to think that one "race" is "superior" to another, but there is only one race folks, the human race. Lets stop the hating, and start getting along.

[@Smokinjoewhite]

I have to agree, he his amazing, but far from a great acoustic guitarist, good, but not great. I would put him in the top 50 heavy\electric guitarists, However even that is pushing it. Don't get me wrong, hes one of my favorite guitarists\musicians ever, but technically his acoustic playing leaves a lot to be desired. His heart on the other hand, is defanitly in the top 10.

[@Xenophobia080]

I love the nightwatchman, i love rage, i love audioslave...whats the problem? They are all different and have earned my liking for their respective musical styles. Rage is my favourite band ever to exist, but I hardly think Zack is better than Chris, they are so different in style, its uncomparable in my opinion anyways.

[@GreenLizard1000]

@crestfaIIen Have you ever listened to Cash, or are you just puppeting what is said above? Listen to Street Sweeper Social Club, or Rage, or AudioSlave if you want heavy. Obviously he did this for himself and a whole different set of fans. This is heavy in a social way.

[@Untitleder]

*Raise your fists* *Speak out against corruption* *Stand up for what you believe* *Stare authority in the face* *Make all wrongs right* *Stand together for change* *Stand together, stand as one* Even the smallest voice can change the world. Copy and paste for change, change for a better world.

[@thermalshockx]

Regardless of your view on the world as it is now there is nothing wrong with seeking to improve it. That being said, I disagree with everything you wrote I like Tom's voice nearly as much as his passion, but you typed it in a hilarious way with a great visual metaphor.

[@kilroythepyro]

His solution is to let people know the truth. That's the reason for Axis of Justice. And just because someone wants to get up and punch someone in the mouth after listening to music, it doesn't mean they're stressed. They just interpret the music in such a way that it gets a rise out of them.

[@cnmaster01]

only is right i have at least twelve (though i don't know why as i never used them ever) the only one i use is the delay and wah pedal(cry baby a la tom) thats all you really need for any music i use a modified octavia fur the harmonizer

[@daedalus6]

Morello should stick to what he's best at.... screaming guitars and unique sounds on stage with Zach like the original rage against the machine should still be Audioslave is killing the passion an original creativity of Tom Morello

[@ravenkliff]

It's strange how he isn't like rock in his solo career. don't get me wrong he is still a great guitarist this is a good song but i kinda miss the epic solos from audioslave and RATM

[@FOURJAINDOTS]

yea i heard yesterday that even more good news more chances of rage reuniting farever and like my username saids man i could see a bright path at the end of this dark tunnel man

[@ratapotamus]

Why do people have to coment like negative critics. Its like people who always complain about hangovers, good things come from bad, i know that food is god on a shitty sunday and it never tastes that good when your not hungover

[@pirateconvention]

can anyone tell me what key hes playing it in in this video. I thought it was in A minor but if the capo is on the seventh fret than it cant be in A minor. Its bugging the crap out of me not knowing what key its in!

[@BustaMonkey1234]

his voice is really deep. lol never knew tom could sound like. if u listen to the lyrics. its like a story of a hero. like batman or rowshac. from the movie wathcmen. he must have read the comic book and took the name.

[@Factor022]

HOLY SHIT....HIS VOICE ITS ITS AMAZING I LOVE IT. He truly is the greatest guitarist out there. From the day he started to the day he dies, Tom Morello made a whole new generation of rock. hes going to go down in history

[@Pittmail88]

They came here looking for Rage and got MORE than they bargained for, the click on dislike was just to ackowledge that this is way over their head. Read Rage's lyrics you might find a common denominator.

[@3Chain]

I absolutely hate people who think tom morello is a bad guitarist just cause he uses effects. Tom Morello is fuckin amazing and knows everything about everything about everything about guitar

[@nickty4]

Rage was amazing, Audioslave was alright and the Nightwatchman... Tom has gone downhill, its okay but i mean seriously this isnt what we want from Tom... This is a sad turn for his genius....

[@CosmoxYRik]

I'm hoping he does an acoustic set earlier in the day at Big Day Out before he comes on with Rage, because that would make the day perfect for me. I don't even care about the rest of lineup.

[@MattisSoderstorm]

20 people didn't keep there promise they turned they bailed they left before the end

[@MaxstertheBard211]

It's just a different genre. I'm sure preppy All American Rejects fans love Cornell's new stuff. And his vocals aren't what they used to be; they're stronger. Deeper, but stronger.

[@KestrelSenpai]

10 Trials 9 Judges 8 Towers 7 Martyr 4 Fathers......ooops, lol supposed to be 6 fathers waiting for 6 sons 5 mothers 4 years 3 times 2 prayers 1 keeping

[@FOURJAINDOTS]

ohhhh godamn that just pissed me off but i understand why he said that because he likes alot of funk music and audioslave revalations has that .... alot

[@ShotgunBlues92]

@FlashingFountain, dude, this is tom morello, he didnt upload the video :L. but anyways, stick a capo on the 6th fret, and its all based around Am, C, G, Am again :)

[@krowanders]

He's going back to the Rage Against The Machine thing. Trying to preach government problems through music. I love him, but he doesn't know shit about government.

[@Smokinjoewhite]

Yeah, that was my point, being technicaly brilliant doesn't mean your a great songwriter, Morello is good to very good technicaly but writes brilliant music.

[@celschen]

20 people have no respect for legends... but they obviously have another taste than I do, musically and I'm fine with that and don't have to insult them.

[@Bartholomule01]

He is not on GH2. They have a Rage Against The Machine on both GH2 and GH3 but like D3athCr33ps said he actually is a character on GH3. I want that game.

[@Cammackaveli]

Amazing album.. Never thought I'd prefer him doing anything other than work with RATM... This blows that away!!!!

[@thedazedbandman]

@poeureka: no sh*t. i was listening to the cd BEFORE seeing this...i thought this song was another one that had a guest singer on it!

[@MarkusNederby]

he's awesome and play different styles well, but the knowing birth date and full name, and lots of other things is gues, is, well kinda creepy

[@Imperator837]

WHAT Axisofjustice01 SAID! This is Tom Morello, you have no right talking shit about him. Those "lil pedals" make the music that MILLIONS love.

[@zombhuntr8047]

@dpglotus really that is fucking awsome. i love rage. i like all of tom's work, from rage, to audioslave, to this, and SSSC. im pumped now.

[@odinp]

actualy it's not fine, it shows your imature and sociallly inept, a person who resorts to name calling is low on the inteligence scale

[@Grimeyhoob]

Nihil4nth, thats the point, he changed it according to his own song, but its still a small tribute to Bob Marley. Get some brains buddy

[@kobainage]

Perth was the same yesterday, i actually enjoyed the nightwatchman more than rage. It was probably the defining gig of my life so far.

[@simonmosca514]

Now all the people that say Tom Morello only skrews around with the tremolo bar and makes weird sounds could finally shut up.

[@13thorderbass]

all the songs i've heard have like a folk feel to them, i like it but its very different then what he's been doing but i like it

[@fredgorey]

so he was raised by a single mother on a U.S. history teacher salary, that's not a lot to raise a child here in the US alone....

[@CCRockit]

@Prizefyter Actually thats exactly what Tom said he was going to do, he said the Nightwatchman is a cross between Dylan and Cash

[@Cavirex]

Yeah he does sound like Johnny Cash... And that's a great thing. He actually is a really good singer. Never would have expected it.

[@mikeyFear0n]

i can agree/dissagree... it would be okay to hear the audioslave version but both should still exist. i like this version as it is

[@jaydogg408]

Harvard and he writes on an acoustic anyhow(even the rage riffs) but still.... I agree with ya. I dig the voice Very Johnny Cash-ish

[@FOURJAINDOTS]

he is trying to show that hes more that just screaming guitars (wallbanger) thats why he doing a whole bunch of other shit

[@juana1483]

Classical guitar capo'd down that far? Very unusual sound

[@medicman9411]

With all due respect…there is only one Johnny Cash. He is darn good thou.

[@theapostleofpeace]

About ten years ago I was reading an interview Tom had with some music site and he mentioned Phil Ochs and I went and listened to this 60s folk singer and over the years fell in love. So, I might give Nightwatchmen a listen to as a thank you.

[@martinmcgorty]

In a political sense he's more dylan than cash, the lyrics and such. However his sound is far more cashy than dylanesque.

[@k0ekjebakker]

World peace is possible! only the thought will make a difference Spread the word, because this is what the world needs!