She received much critical acclaim for her 2005 release, Paradise Hotel, which contains songs that strike a chord with listeners in light of recent events. "Requiem" honors Hurricane Katrina and tsunami victims with hopeful pleas to the Virgin Mary, while "Man of God" is a bitter, unapologetic denouncement of President George W. Bush and his administration.
"The actions of this regime do not follow the teachings of Christ, what I call real Christianity," Gilkyson said in August 2005. "I just don't appreciate the religious right acting like I don't love God and my country just because I'm not in their corner. I'm mad and I want other people to be mad about this too."
In 2008, her album Beautiful World came out, again on Red House Records. The songs vary from pop to folk and points in-between, with songs ranging from intimate ballads to rallying cries against the imperialist machine. She recently collaborated on a new album entitled Red Horse with two of her Red House Records label-mates John Gorka and Lucy Kaplansky.
In 2011, she came out with Roses at the End of Time. Recorded at her home with the help of her son and co-producer Cisco Ryder, Gilkyson took a longer time in the studio and came out with a more eclectic and personal album. She continues to tour about 150 dates per year in the United States and overseas.
www.elizagilkyson.com
Chimes of Freedom
Eliza Gilkyson 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.
In 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 an 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, chased an' cheated by pursuit
An' we gazed upon the chimes of freedom flashing.
Even though a clouds'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 unharmfull, 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.
Eliza Gilkyson's "Chimes of Freedom" is a powerful commentary on the struggles of the disenfranchised and the search for freedom. In each of the six verses, she tells a different story of those who find themselves on the fringes of society, often unseen and unheard. In the first verse, she describes seeking refuge from a storm, hearing the "chimes of freedom flashing" for those who may not be able to fight for themselves. The second verse takes place "in the city's melted furnace," as the "chimes of freedom" toll for the rebel, the luckless, and the outcast. The third verse uses natural imagery to describe the beauty and wonder of lightning and thunder, while highlighting the power of the written word and the creative mind. The fourth verse focuses on the struggles of those who have no voice, including the deaf and the blind, the mistreated, and the motherless. In the fifth verse, she sings of those who search for meaning and connection, including the lovelorn and the lonely. Finally, in the last verse, the "chimes of freedom" ring out for all who have been oppressed or marginalized, reminding us to never stop fighting for justice and equality.
Line by Line Meaning
Far between sundown's finish an' midnight's broken toll
After the sun has set and before midnight, a moment of uncertainty and danger.
We ducked inside the doorway, thunder crashing
Taking refuge from the storm outside, seeking safety inside.
As majestic bells of bolts struck shadows in the sounds
Lightning illuminating the darkness in a dramatic and awe-inspiring way.
Seeming to be the chimes of freedom flashing
The lightning becomes a symbol of hope and liberation.
Flashing for the warriors whose strength is not to fight
Honoring those who work for peace and justice without resorting to violence.
Flashing for the refugees on the unarmed road of flight
Honoring those who seek safety and protection when they have no means to defend themselves.
An' for each an' ev'ry underdog soldier in the night
Honoring those who are at a disadvantage and marginalized, especially in times of conflict.
An' we gazed upon the chimes of freedom flashing.
We witnessed the lightning as a symbol of hope and liberation, inspiring us to believe in a better world.
In the city's melted furnace, unexpectedly we watched
Observing the dangers and hardships of urban life with surprise and horror.
With faces hidden as the walls were tightening
Feeling oppressed and suffocated, powerless to change our circumstances.
As the echo of the wedding bells before the blowin' rain
Remembering a time of joy and love before facing the storm and hardship.
Dissolved into the bells of the lightning
The joyful memories are replaced by the harsh and jarring reality of the storm.
Tolling for the rebel, tolling for the rake
Honoring those who resist authority and challenge social norms and conventions.
Tolling for the luckless, the abandoned an' forsaked
Honoring those who are left alone and unsupported in their struggles.
Tolling for the outcast, burnin' constantly at stake
Honoring those who are persecuted and oppressed, facing constant danger and risk.
An' we gazed upon the chimes of freedom flashing.
Witnessing the lightning as a symbol of hope and liberation, inspiring us to have faith that a better world is possible.
Through the mad mystic hammering of the wild ripping hail
Navigating the chaos and destruction of a violent storm.
The sky cracked its poems in naked wonder
The storm creates a sense of awe and wonder, but also exposes the raw power of nature.
That the clinging of the church bells blew far into the breeze
The sound of church bells is carried away by the wind, becoming distant and faint.
Leaving only bells of lightning and its thunder
The lightning and thunder become the dominant and overwhelming sounds.
Striking for the gentle, striking for the kind
Honoring those who are compassionate and empathetic, who strive to create a more peaceful and just world.
Striking for the guardians and protectors of the mind
Honoring those who promote education, knowledge, and intellectual freedom in order to protect and empower people.
An' the poet an the painter far behind his rightful time
Honoring the artists and thinkers who are ahead of their time and who challenge existing norms and values.
An' we gazed upon the chimes of freedom flashing.
Witnessing the lightning as a symbol of hope and liberation, inspiring us to seek greater freedom and justice.
In the wild cathedral evening the rain unraveled tales
In a moment of natural beauty and awe, hearing stories and lessons hidden in the rain and darkness.
For the disrobed faceless forms of no position
Telling stories of those who are unseen and unrecognized, with no power or status in society.
Tolling for the tongues with no place to bring their thoughts
Honoring those who are silenced and marginalized, who have no platform to share their ideas and opinions.
All down in taken-for granted situations
Recognizing the many people who are overlooked and underappreciated, who are taken for granted in their contributions to society.
Tolling for the deaf an' blind, tolling for the mute
Honoring those who face physical and communicative challenges, who are often discriminated against and left behind.
For the mistreated, mateless mother, the mistitled prostitute
Recognizing the struggles and hardships of women who are stigmatized and marginalized in society.
For the misdemeanor outlaw, chased an' cheated by pursuit
Honoring those who are criminalized and punished unjustly, who are often victims of systemic discrimination and oppression.
An' we gazed upon the chimes of freedom flashing.
Witnessing the lightning as a symbol of hope and liberation, inspiring us to fight for justice and equality for all people.
Even though a clouds's white curtain in a far-off corner flashed
Despite the beauty and wonder of the lightning, it is still just a small part of the larger natural world.
An' the hypnotic splattered mist was slowly lifting
As the storm passes, the world returns to its normal state, with the beauty of the natural world remaining.
Electric light still struck like arrows, fired but for the ones
Despite the storm passing, the world is still full of danger and uncertainty, with some people being targeted unfairly.
Condemned to drift or else be kept from drifting
Some people are forced to live without agency or control over their own lives, while others are made to stay in one place against their will.
Tolling for the searching ones, on their speechless, seeking trail
Honoring those who are seeking answers and meaning in their lives, who are often voiceless and unheard in society.
For the lonesome-hearted lovers with too personal a tale
Recognizing the struggles and challenges faced by those in love, who often face barriers and prejudices in society.
An' for each unharmfull, gentle soul misplaced inside a jail
Honoring those who are unfairly jailed and punished, who pose no real threat to society.
An' we gazed upon the chimes of freedom flashing.
Witnessing the lightning as a symbol of hope and liberation, inspiring us to work for a more just and compassionate society.
Starry-eyed an' laughing as I recall when we were caught
Remembering a time of joy and wonder, despite the challenges faced.
Trapped by no track of hours for they hanged suspended
Feeling free and unburdened by the constraints of time and routine.
As we listened one last time an' we watched with one last look
Taking in the last moments of a beautiful and profound experience, savoring the memory of it.
Spellbound an' swallowed 'til the tolling ended
Feeling completely absorbed and captivated by something, until it comes to its natural end.
Tolling for the aching whose wounds cannot be nursed
Honoring those who suffer and may never fully recover from their pain and wounds.
For the countless confused, accused, misused, strung-out ones an' worse
Recognizing the many people who are caught up in difficult and often unjust situations, who are often blamed and misunderstood by society.
An' for every hung-up person in the whole wide universe
Honoring anyone who feels trapped, oppressed, or stuck in their circumstances or situation.
An' we gazed upon the chimes of freedom flashing.
Witnessing the lightning as a symbol of hope and liberation, inspiring us to work for a more just and equitable world for all people.
Contributed by Sarah E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.