This song i believe as do others was written about the poor Americans who were by passed by the government to support the war in Vietnam. Also the changing of morality in America that was just over the next horizon. the only song i know of that was related to jfk is Hard Rain, which Dylan put his thoughts into one last song because he, like 99% of Americans thought nuclear war was moments away at any time during those days of 1962. as history has told us Russia only had about a dozen missles that could reach America from Russia while we had hundreds that could reach their homeland. Kruschev wanted missles in communist Cuba foa an ace in the hole. JFK showed his resolve in his finest moment by standing up to the bully, feared by the world. By doing so he not only put America as the force to be reckoned with, but put an end to nikita's power. Oh Bob Dylan's 115th Dream also mentions JFK.
Chimes of Freedom
Bob Dylan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We ducked inside the doorway, thunder crashing
As majestic bells of bolts struck shadows in the sounds
Seeming to be the chimes of freedom flashing
Flashing for the warriors whose strength is not to fight
Flashing for the refugees on the unarmed road of flight
An' for each an' ev'ry underdog soldier in the night
An' we gazed upon the chimes of freedom flashing
Through the city's melted furnace, unexpectedly we watched
With faces hidden as the walls were tightening
As the echo of the wedding bells before the blowin' rain
Dissolved into the bells of the lightning
Tolling for the rebel, tolling for the rake
Tolling for the luckless, the abandoned an' forsaked
Tolling for the outcast, burnin' constantly at stake
An' we gazed upon the chimes of freedom flashing
Through the mad mystic hammering of the wild ripping hail
The sky cracked its poems in naked wonder
That the clinging of the church bells blew far into the breeze
Leaving only bells of lightning and its thunder
Striking for the gentle, striking for the kind
Striking for the guardians and protectors of the mind
An' the poet and the painter far behind his rightful time
An' we gazed upon the chimes of freedom flashing
In the wild cathedral evening the rain unraveled tales
For the disrobed faceless forms of no position
Tolling for the tongues with no place to bring their thoughts
All down in taken-for-granted situations
Tolling for the deaf an' blind, tolling for the mute
For the mistreated, mateless mother, the mistitled prostitute
For the misdemeanor outlaw, chaineded an' cheated by pursuit
An' we gazed upon the chimes of freedom flashing
Even though a cloud's white curtain in a far-off corner flared
An' the hypnotic splattered mist was slowly lifting
Electric light still struck like arrows, fired but for the ones
Condemned to drift or else be kept from drifting
Tolling for the searching ones, on their speechless, seeking trail
For the lonesome-hearted lovers with too personal a tale
An' for each unharmful, gentle soul misplaced inside a jail
An' we gazed upon the chimes of freedom flashing
Starry-eyed an' laughing as I recall when we were caught
Trapped by no track of hours for they hanged suspended
As we listened one last time an' we watched with one last look
Spellbound an' swallowed 'til the tolling ended
Tolling for the aching whose wounds cannot be nursed
For the countless confused, accused, misused, strung-out ones an' worse
An' for every hung-up person in the whole wide universe
An' we gazed upon the chimes of freedom flashing
The song "Chimes of Freedom" is a poetic and political masterpiece that captures Dylan's and the Grateful Dead's shared commitment to social justice. The song describes the scene of a powerful thunderstorm, against which "the chimes of freedom" ring out, representing the struggle of those fighting for human rights.
The opening stanza describes the chimes as "flashing for the warriors whose strength is not to fight," reflecting the idea that the struggle for freedom isn't always about physical strength. Instead, it can be about perseverance, endurance, and the strength to withstand oppression. As the song progresses, the chimes toll for a range of people: the poor, the dispossessed, the marginalized, and those struggling against injustice.
The song's final verse is particularly powerful, describing a moment of transcendence: "Starry-eyed and laughing as I recall when we were caught/ Trapped by no track of hours for they hanged suspended." The chimes seem to bring a sense of freedom, despite the storm clouds and oppressive forces at work in the world.
Overall, "Chimes of Freedom" is a song about the struggle for human rights, freedom, and dignity. It is a hymn to those who have fought and are fighting against oppression and injustice, and a warning about the forces that seek to keep people from realizing their own potential and fulfilling their dreams.
Line by Line Meaning
Far between sundown's finish an' midnight's broken toll
After the sun has set and before the start of midnight, when everywhere seems quiet and calm.
We ducked inside the doorway, thunder crashing
We quickly sought refuge inside a doorway when thunder echoed loudly in the surroundings.
As majestic bells of bolts struck shadows in the sounds
The sound of the striking, grand bells intermingled with the sounds from shadows.
Seeming to be the chimes of freedom flashing
The sound of the bells indicates freedom is accessible or on its way.
Flashing for the warriors whose strength is not to fight
Freedom is for those who have the courage to fight, but whose strength lies in peaceful methods.
Flashing for the refugees on the unarmed road of flight
Those who flee, without a weapon or protection, are crucial for our freedom.
An' for each an' ev'ry underdog soldier in the night
Freedom is for every soldier who fights against difficulties and odds, facing them in dark times.
An' we gazed upon the chimes of freedom flashing
We saw the bells of freedom ringing.
Through the city's melted furnace, unexpectedly we watched
We unexpectedly observed the destruction and chaos in the city.
With faces hidden as the walls were tightening
We hid our faces as the walls of the city started to close in on us.
As the echo of the wedding bells before the blowin' rain
The sound of the wedding bells was heard just before the rain started to pour.
Dissolved into the bells of the lightning
The sound of the wedding bells was replaced by the sound of the lightning striking.
Tolling for the rebel, tolling for the rake
The sound of the bells is for those who rebel against authority, and for those who lead a life of challenge to norms.
Tolling for the luckless, the abandoned an' forsakened
The sound of the bells is for those who are unfortunate in life, left to fend for themselves and abandoned by others.
Tolling for the outcast, burnin' constantly at stake
The sound of the bells is for those who have been cast out from society and are struggling to survive.
An' we gazed upon the chimes of freedom flashing
We watched as the bells of freedom rang on.
Through the mad mystic hammering of the wild ripping hail
Amidst the mad and mystical sound of the hail clashing fiercely against the ground.
The sky cracked its poems in naked wonder
In an act of pure wonder, the sky split open and showed us its entirety.
That the clinging of the church bells blew far into the breeze
The sound of the church bells echoed through the wind, far from the original location.
Leaving only bells of lightning and its thunder
All that remained were the sounds of thunder and lightning.
Striking for the gentle, striking for the kind
The sound of the bells is for those who are kind-hearted and gentle in nature.
Striking for the guardians and protectors of the mind
The sound of the bells is for those who protect our minds and intellect.
An' the poet and the painter far behind his rightful time
The bells of freedom are for the poet and the painter who are out of place in society and unappreciated in their time.
An' we gazed upon the chimes of freedom flashing
We looked on as the sounds of freedom reverberated through the air.
In the wild cathedral evening the rain unraveled tales
Rainfall in a chaotic evening, where anything could happen, evokes stories untold.
For the disrobed faceless forms of no position
For those who have no position in society and remain unrecognized for their efforts.
Tolling for the tongues with no place to bring their thoughts
The sound of the bells is for those who seek to share their thoughts, but have no platform to do so.
All down in taken-for-granted situations
Those who are in simple, taken-for-granted situations, without any luxury or privilege, are also considered and remembered.
Tolling for the deaf an' blind, tolling for the mute
The sound of the bells is for those who are deaf, blind or mute, and are unable to communicate with the rest of the world.
For the mistreated, mateless mother, the mistitled prostitute
The sound of the bells is for a single mother without a partner who is being mistreated, and the prostitute who is branded and stigmatized publicly.
For the misdemeanor outlaw, chaineded an' cheated by pursuit
The bell tolls for those who are wrongfully accused and punished in pursuit of petty crimes.
An' we gazed upon the chimes of freedom flashing
We witnessed the ringing of freedom bells firsthand and looked on in wonder.
Even though a cloud's white curtain in a far-off corner flared
Despite the fact that a white cloud in the distance was suddenly illuminated,
An' the hypnotic splattered mist was slowly lifting
And the hypnotic, mesmerizing haze began to fade away,
Electric light still struck like arrows, fired but for the ones
Electric light still came to strike those who were the only targets.
Condemned to drift or else be kept from drifting
Those who are confined to a limited place or condition and have no option to move ahead, and those who face difficulties while moving ahead with their lives.
Tolling for the searching ones, on their speechless, seeking trail
The clanging of the bells is for those who search for meaning in life and have no voice for it, but keep striving anyway.
For the lonesome-hearted lovers with too personal a tale
The sound of the bells is for those who have loved and been heartbroken, but cannot share their story with anyone.
An' for each unharmful, gentle soul misplaced inside a jail
The bells ring for every person who is gentle and non-violent, yet still finds themselves locked up in a prison cell.
An' we gazed upon the chimes of freedom flashing
We watched as the chimes of freedom continued to ring out.
Starry-eyed an' laughing as I recall when we were caught
Remembering a moment in the past that was magical and joyous.
Trapped by no track of hours for they hanged suspended
Being in a suspended, timeless moment that never seemed to end and held no constraints.
As we listened one last time an' we watched with one last look
Taking one last moment to fully embrace and appreciate the sounds and sights around us.
Spellbound an' swallowed 'til the tolling ended
Being completely entranced and under the spell of the sound of the bells until the ringing stopped.
Tolling for the aching whose wounds cannot be nursed
The ringing is a symbol of hope for those who have endured deep pain with no cure.
For the countless confused, accused, misused, strung-out ones an' worse
The chimes of freedom are ringing for all those disregarded by society, those who have been abused and those who feel hopeless.
An' for every hung-up person in the whole wide universe
The sound of the bells is for every single person in the world who feels stuck and left behind in the race of life.
An' we gazed upon the chimes of freedom flashing
We watched in awe as the chimes of freedom rang out.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Bob Dylan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@juancamacho5746
Far between sundown's finish an' midnight's broken toll
We ducked inside the doorway, thunder crashing
As majestic bells of bolts struck shadows in the sounds
Seeming to be the chimes of freedom flashing
Flashing for the warriors whose strength is not to fight
Flashing for the refugees on the unarmed road of flight
An' for each an' ev'ry underdog soldier in the night
An' we gazed upon the chimes of freedom flashing.
Through the city's melted furnace, unexpectedly we watched
With faces hidden while the walls were tightening
As the echo of the wedding bells before the blowin' rain
Dissolved into the bells of the lightning
Tolling for the rebel, tolling for the rake
Tolling for the luckless, the abandoned an' forsaked
Tolling for the outcast, burnin' constantly at stake
An' we gazed upon the chimes of freedom flashing.
Through the mad mystic hammering of the wild ripping hail
The sky cracked its poems in naked wonder
That the clinging of the church bells blew far into the breeze
Leaving only bells of lightning and its thunder
Striking for the gentle, striking for the kind
Striking for the guardians and protectors of the mind
An' the unpawned painter behind his rightful time
An' we gazed upon the chimes of freedom flashing.
In the wild cathedral evening the rain unraveled tales
For the disrobed faceless forms of no position
Tolling for the tongues with no place to bring their thoughts
All down in taken-for-granted situations
Tolling for the deaf an' blind, tolling for the mute
For the mistreated, mateless mother, the mistitled prostitute
For the misdemeanor outlaw, chained an' cheated by pursuit
An' we gazed upon the chimes of freedom flashing.
🎵🎶🎵🎶
Even though a cloud's white curtain in a far-off corner flashed
An' the hypnotic splattered mist was slowly lifting
Electric light still struck like arrows, fired but for the ones
Condemned to drift or else be kept from drifting
Tolling for the searching ones, on their speechless, seeking trail
For the lonesome-hearted lovers with too personal a tale
An' for each unharmful, gentle soul misplaced inside a jail
An' we gazed upon the chimes of freedom flashing.
🎵🎶🎵🎶
Starry-eyed an' laughing as I recall when we were caught
Trapped by no track of hours for they hanged suspended
As we listened one last time an' we watched with one last look
Spellbound an' swallowed 'til the tolling ended
Tolling for the aching ones whose wounds cannot be nursed
For the countless confused, accused, misused, strung-out ones an' worse
An' for every hung-up person in the whole wide universe
An' we gazed upon the chimes of freedom flashing.
@BOBDYLANESPANOL
Lejos entre mi puesta de sol terminada y el peaje roto de la medianoche
Far between my finished sundown and midnight's broken toll
Nos agachamos dentro de las puertas, el trueno se estrelló
We ducked inside the doorways, thunder went crashing
Mientras majestuosas campanas de pernos golpeaban sombras en los sonidos
As majestic bells of bolts struck shadows in the sounds
Pareciendo ser las campanadas de la libertad parpadeando
Seeming to be the chimes of freedom flashin'
Flashin' para los guerreros cuya fuerza es no luchar
Flashin' for the warriors whose strength is not to fight
Flashin 'para los refugiados en el camino desarmado de vuelo
Flashin' for the refugees on the unarmed road of flight
Y para todos y cada uno de los soldados desvalidos en la noche
And for each an' every underdog soldier in the night
Y contemplamos las campanadas de la libertad parpadeando
And we gazed upon the chimes of freedom flashin'
A través del horno de fusión de la ciudad, inesperadamente vimos
Through the city's melting furnace, unexpectedly we watched
Con rostros ocultos mientras las paredes se estrechaban
With faces hidden as the walls were tightening
Como el eco de las campanas de boda antes de la lluvia
As the echo of the wedding bells before the blowin' rain
Disuelto en las campanas del relámpago
Dissolved into the bells of the lightning
Tocando por el rebelde, tocando por el rastrillo
Tolling for the rebel, tolling for the rake
Tocando por los desafortunados, los abandonados y desamparados
Tolling for the luckless, the abandoned and forsaked
Tocando por los marginados, ardiendo constantemente en juego
Tolling for the outcast, burnin' constantly at stake
Y contemplamos las campanadas de la libertad parpadeando
And we gazed upon the chimes of freedom flashin'
A través del martilleo místico loco del granizo salvaje
Through the mad mystic hammering of the wild ripping hail
El cielo resquebrajó sus poemas en asombro desnudo
The sky cracked its poems in naked wonder
Que el sonido de las campanas de la iglesia soplaba lejos en la brisa
That the clinging of the church bells blew far into the breeze
Dejando solo campanas de relámpagos y sus truenos
Leaving only bells of lightning and its thunder
Sorprendente para los gentiles, sorprendente para los amables
Striking for the gentle, striking for the kind
Golpeando por los guardianes y protectores de la mente
Striking for the guardians and protectors of the mind
Y el poeta y el pintor se retiran del tiempo que le corresponde
And the poet and the painter pull out of his rightful time
Y contemplamos las campanadas de la libertad parpadeando
And we gazed upon the chimes of freedom flashin'
A través de la noche salvaje de la catedral, la lluvia desentrañó cuentos
Through the wild cathedral evening, the rain unraveled tales
Para las formas desnudas sin rostro de ninguna posición
For the disrobed faceless forms of no position
Tocando por las lenguas sin lugar para traer sus pensamientos
Tolling for the tongues with no place to bring their thoughts
Todo abajo en situaciones que se dan por sentadas
All down in taken-for-granted situations
Tocando por los sordos y ciegos, tocando por los mudos
Tolling for the deaf and blind, tolling for the mute
Para la madre maltratada, sin pareja, la prostituta mal llamada
For the mistreated, mateless mother, the mistitled prostitute
Para el forajido de delitos menores, perseguido y engañado por la persecución.
For the misdemeanor outlaw, chased and cheated by pursuit
Y contemplamos las campanadas de la libertad parpadeando
And we gazed upon the chimes of freedom flashin'
A pesar de que la cortina blanca de una nube en un rincón lejano se encendió
Even though a cloud's white curtain in a far-off corner flared
Y la niebla salpicada hipnótica se estaba levantando lentamente
And the hypnotic splattered mist was slowly liftin'
La luz eléctrica todavía golpeaba como flechas, disparadas excepto por las que
Electric light still struck like arrows, fired but for the ones
Condenado a la deriva o de lo contrario ser impedido de la deriva
Condemned to drift or else be kept from drifting
Tocando por la búsqueda en su rastro sin palabras, buscando
Tolling for the searching on their speechless, seeking trail
Para los amantes solitarios con una historia demasiado personal.
For the lonesome-hearted lovers with too personal a tale
Y por cada alma gentil e ilesa extraviada dentro de una cárcel
And for each unharmful, gentle soul misplaced inside a jail
Y contemplamos las campanadas de la libertad parpadeando
And we gazed upon the chimes of freedom flashin'
Iluminado y riéndome como recuerdo cuando nos atraparon
Starry-eyed and laughing as I recall when we were caught
Atrapados por ningún rastro de horas porque colgaron suspendidos
Trapped by no track of hours for they hanged suspended
Mientras escuchamos una última vez y observamos con una última mirada
As we listened one last time an' we watched with one last look
Hechizado y tragado hasta que terminó el peaje
Spellbound an' swallowed 'til the tolling ended
Tocando por los doloridos cuyas heridas no pueden ser curadas
Tolling for the aching ones whose wounds cannot be nursed
Para los innumerables confundidos, acusados, maltratados, colgados y cosas peores
For the countless confused, accused, misused, strung-out ones and worse
Y por cada persona obsesionada en todo el amplio universo
And for every hung-up person in the whole wide universe
Y contemplamos las campanadas de la libertad parpadeando
And we gazed upon the chimes of freedom flashin'
@user-ip9yu7lp1q
Chimes of Freedom
자유의 종소리
Another Side of Bob Dylan (1964)
Far between sundown's finish an' midnight's broken toll
거의 일몰이 끝나고, 자정의 종소리가 들리는 사이에
We ducked inside the doorway, thunder crashing
우리는 입구 속으로 들어갔고, 천둥소리가 들렸다.
As majestic bells of bolts struck shadows in the sounds
장엄한 번개의 종이 그 소리 안의 그림자를 강타하자
Seeming to be the chimes of freedom flashing
마치 자유의 종소리가 빛나는 듯했다
Flashing for the warriors whose strength is not to fight
그들의 힘을 싸우기 위해 쓰지 않는 전사들
Flashing for the refugees on the unarmed road of flight
도피의 길을 걷는 빈손의 피난민들
An' for each an' ev'ry underdog soldier in the night
오밤중의 모든 무력한 군인들을 위해
An' we gazed upon the chimes of freedom flashing.
빛나는 자유의 종을 보았다
In the city's melted furnace, unexpectedly we watched
녹아내리는 도시라는 화로 속에서, 우리는 불연듯이 깨달았다
With faces hidden while the walls were tightening
벽들이 무너져내리는 동안, 얼굴을 숨긴 우리는
As the echo of the wedding bells before the blowin' rain
폭우 이전의 메아리치는 결혼식장 종소리가
Dissolved into the bells of the lightning
번개로 된 종 속으로 흩어져
Tolling for the rebel, tolling for the rake
반역자를 위해, 난봉꾼을 위해
Tolling for the luckless, the abandoned an' forsaked
불운한 자를 위해, 버려진 자를 위해
Tolling for the outcast, burnin' constantly at stake
말뚝 위에서 화형당하는, 외로운 자를 위해
Through the mad mystic hammering of the wild ripping hail
사납고, 광기에 차 찢어지는 듯한 우박의 망치질 사이로
The sky cracked its poems in naked wonder
하늘은 그 시(詩)를 부수었다
That the clinging of the church bells blew far into the breeze
교회 종의 지지대는 바람 속으로 날아가버리고
Leaving only bells of lightning and its thunder
번개의 종과 천둥만이 남아 의문의 시가 되었다
Striking for the gentle, striking for the kind
온화한 자, 인자한 자를 위해
Striking for the guardians and protectors of the mind
마음의 수호자와 보호자를 위해
And the poet and the painter far behind his rightful time
걸맞은 시대를 벗어난, 자유로운 화가를 위해
In the wild cathedral evening the rain unraveled tales
사나운 성당의 저녁 사이, 비는 이야기를 풀어놓고
For the disrobed faceless forms of no position
정처없이 맴도는 우리들은 얼굴을 가렸고, 옷은 헐벗은 채
Tolling for the tongues with no place to bring their thoughts
그럴 만한 상황에서 모두가 정적을 이루며
All down in taken-for-granted situations
생각을 입으로 낼 수 없는 혓바닥을 위해
Tolling for the deaf an' blind, tolling for the mute
귀머거리와 맹인, 벙어리를 위해
For the mistreated, mateless mother, the mistitled prostitute
학대당한 미망인, 오칭(誤稱)된 매춘부를 위해
For the misdemeanor outlaw, chased an' cheated by pursuit
비행을 저지르고 쫓기고, 감시당하는 무법자를 위해
Even though a cloud's white curtain in a far-off corner flashed
멀리 떨어진 구석에서 흰 커튼 같은 구름이 빛나고
An' the hypnotic splattered mist was slowly lifting
몽환적인 흩어지는 안개가 서서히 올라오더라도
Electric light still struck like arrows, fired but for the ones
전깃불은 여전히 화살처럼 날아들어
Condemned to drift or else be kept from drifting
표류하거나, 그러지 않도록 선고받은 자들을 위해 빛난다
Tolling for the searching ones, on their speechless, seeking trail
말없는 샛길을 찾아나선 자들을 위해
For the lonesome-hearted lovers with too personal a tale
너무도 개인적인 이야기를 품은 외로운 연인들을 위해
An' for each unharmful, gentle soul misplaced inside a jail
감옥 속에 잘못 넣어진 무고하고, 온화한 영(靈)을 위해
Starry-eyed an' laughing as I recall when we were caught
우리가 잡혔을 때, 별빛의 눈을 하고 웃고 있었다
Trapped by no track of hours for they hanged suspended
갇혀 있었기에 시간을 신경쓸 필요는 더 이상 없었고
As we listened one last time an' we watched with one last look
마지막으로 서로의 말을 듣고, 서로의 얼굴을 보았다
Spellbound an' swallowed 'til the tolling ended
번개가 그치기까지 넋을 잃어, 질식해 버렸다
Tolling for the aching ones whose wounds cannot be nursed
치료받을 수 없는 상처를 지닌 고통받는 자들을 위해
For the countless confused, accused, misused, strung-out ones an' worse
무수히 많은 혼란스럽고, 비난받고, 그보다 더한 학대를 받은 자들을 위해
An' for every hung-up person in the whole wide universe
전 우주의 걱정하는 사람들을 위해
@langstongrandma
Anyone who ever questioned Bob Dylan's Nobel Prize needs to listen to every word of this magnificent song.
@sandrawadsworth5173
Truth! Example, Joni Mitchell. Love Bob always 💕
@cficarra
Agreed. Of course, anyone who questions his Nobel is unlikely to turn up here anyway.
@sandrawadsworth5173
@@cficarra You're probably correct but still a possibility, since in the past some have seemingly kept up with his life's journey and made awful false allegations about and against him. It really upsets me that the ole green-eyed monster at times surfaces spewing its misdirected jealousy where it doesn't belong. I have followed and been a fan of Bob's since 1970. I am certain he is as genuine as they come. Bob Dylan forever❤️
@shirleyashanti3031
One of the best American songs ever written
@joedavis4150
... And they need to listen to romance in Durango, Harvard Square version.
@Katarinatorn
One of Bob's absolutely best songs with incredible lyrics
@BobDylan-1
Hello I really do appreciate you for being a big fan thank you for your wonderful comments on my post it really means a lot to me.I sincerely hope you never stop listening to my music…..❤️❤️❤️😊
@ksb994
“Flashing for the warriors whose strength is not to fight” - I will never ever forget that line, every time it just blows my mind.
@alandavies3727
There are so many brilliant songs by this incredible man. We’re fast coming to the end but what a journey we’ve all been on. Thanks Bob.