Chimes of Freedom
The Byrds Lyrics
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An' midnights broken toll
We ducked inside the doorway, thunder crashing
As majestic bells of bolts
Struck shadows in the sound
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 flightAn' for each an' every underdog soldier in the night
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
In The Byrds's song "Chimes of Freedom," the singer describes a moment between sundown and midnight when they sought shelter from the thunder in a doorway. The sound of the thunder is likened to the majestic bells of bolts that struck shadows and seemed to be the chimes of freedom flashing. The chimes signify a call for freedom for various groups of people, including refugees, soldiers who do not want to fight, underdogs in the night, and those misplaced inside jail. As the tolling ends, the singer and their companions watch spellbound until the very end.
The lyrics to "Chimes of Freedom" are poetic and metaphorical, yet deeply political, speaking to issues of social justice, human rights, and empathy for those who are marginalized. The song was released in 1964, at the height of the Cold War and the Civil Rights Movement, when many people feared nuclear war and protested against racial inequality. The song has since become an anthem for activists and is considered one of the quintessential protest songs of the 1960s.
Line by Line Meaning
Far between sundown's finish
After the sun has set but before it's completely nighttime
An' midnights broken toll
Sometime between midnight and dawn when the sound of a bell is heard
We ducked inside the doorway, thunder crashing
Taking shelter inside a building as thunder loudly echoed outside
As majestic bells of bolts
The loud sound of thunder that feels like bolts crashing down
Struck shadows in the sound
The sound of thunder creating a shadow-like effect
Seeming to be the chimes of freedom flashing
The thunder sounds like a symbol of freedom that heralds change
Flashing for the warriors whose strength is not to fight
Signaling change for those who are peaceful but strong
Flashing for the refugees on the unarmed road of flight
Signifying hope for those who flee from danger with no weapons
An' for each an' every underdog soldier in the night
Representing the underdogs in war who fight at nightfall
An' we gazed upon the chimes of freedom flashing
Looking on as a symbol of hope and change echoes through the night
Even though a cloud's white curtain
Despite the figurative 'curtain' of clouds blocking our view
In a far-off corner flashed
A faint, distant light appeared
An' the hypnotic splattered mist Was slowly lifting
The thick fog is gradually disappearing
Electric light still struck like arrows, fired but for the ones
Like a weapon, bright electricity targets a specific group
Condemned to drift or else be kept from drifting
Forced to either float aimlessly or prevented from doing so
Tolling for the searching ones, on their speechless, seeking trail
A bell tolls for those on a difficult and silent journey of discovery
For the lonesome-hearted lovers with too personal a tale
Signaling hope for those whose love story is too unique to share
An' for each unharmful, gentle soul misplaced inside a jail
Representing each innocent person unjustly imprisoned
An' we gazed upon the chimes of freedom flashing
Watching as the symbol of hope continues to echo
Starry-eyed an' laughing as I recall when we were caught
Looking back nostalgically on a moment when we were trapped
Trapped by no track of hours for they hanged suspended
Being caught in a suspended moment without a sense of time
As we listened one last time an' we watched with one last look
Taking one last opportunity to hear and see the symbol of hope
Spellbound an' swallowed 'til the tolling ended
Totally captivated by the sound until it stopped
Tolling for the aching ones whose wounds cannot be nursed
A bell tolls for those with unhealable physical or emotional pain
For the countless confused, accused, misused, strung-out ones an' worse
Representing all those who have been misunderstood, wrongly blamed, or abused
An' for every hung-up person in the whole wide universe
Signifying change for everyone in the world who feels stuck or held back
An' we gazed upon the chimes of freedom flashing
Continuing to watch as the symbol of hope echoes through the night
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Bob Dylan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Glicksman1
@@peterhogan9537 I'm afraid that you have your "Byrds facts" wrong. All of the Byrds exclusively played on "Chimes". The Wrecking Crew only played on the Byrds' first single, "Mr. Tambourine Man", backed with the Gene Clark-penned B-side, "I Knew I'd Want You". When the album was about to be recorded, they unanimously insisted that they be allowed to perform the rest of the album's instrumental accompaniment themselves, which they brilliantly did.
The musicians who played on that first single were:
Jim (later Roger) McGuinn- electric 12 -string guitar
Hal Baine- drums
Bill Pitman - guitar
Jerry Cole - guitar
Larry Knechtel - bass
Leon Russell - piano
Only three of the five members of the Byrds performed on these two songs:
Jim/Roger McGuinn on 12-string, he and Gene Clark sang lead vocals, Gene Clark and David Crosby sang the vocal harmonies.
There is at least one fascinating video on YT of the Tambourine Man session showing how the arrangement progressed until it became one of the most influential recordings in pop music history. Check it out.
Cheers, mate.
@siobob1
Far between sundown's finish
And midnights broken toll
We ducked inside the doorway, thunder crashing
As majestic bells of bolts
Struck shadows in these 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
And for each and every underdog soldier in the night
And we gazed upon the chimes of freedom flashing
Even though a cloud's white curtain
In a far-off corner flashed
And 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
And for each unharmful, gentle soul misplaced inside a jail
And we gazed upon the chimes of freedom flashing
Starry-eyed and laughing as I recall when we were caught
Trapped by no track of hours for they hanged suspended
As we listened one last time and we watched with one last look
Spellbound and swallowed 'til the tolling ended
Tolling for the aching ones whose wounds cannot be nursed
For the countless confused, accused, misused, strung-out ones and worse
And for every hung-up person in the whole wide universe
And we gazed upon the chimes of freedom flashing
-Bob Dylan
@johnmacdonald1813
So blessed to have been around for the early Byrds. They were the greatest ever. I'm 71 now and still get tingles when I hear them.
@miyukishijisha8540
Me too, 71 and loving the Byrds and Dylan for so many years.
@unstrung65
Same here my fellow Byrds fans --- I'm 72 ---- Bought the Mr Tambourine Man LP when it came out . The whole album is solid and 'magic' with Chimes of Freedom and Bells of Rhymney being the standouts for me. Either song can still send chills up my spine .
@robertallen6710
@@miyukishijisha8540 I'm a mere 67, but remember them so well...
@rodcooper6701
@@miyukishijisha8540 Seems like we all remember these great times, I'm 70. 60's were a time I'll never forget.
@mkr4922
I’m 70 and consider myself so damn lucky to have been there to listen to these great artist..I haven’t told my kids that I was blessed to have grown up through three of the best decades of great music..
@johnheim-po4ee
I have a small dream,that when I'm about to fade away from this life,I want the Byrds chimes pulsating thru me
@colinreid9015
Takes me back to a far better and simpler time,oh to be that carefree and young again
@aj.mcgowan5593
This song has never been more relevant. The vocals combined with Dylan's lyrics take it to a higher level. This is a powerful, profound and beautiful song....
@campmichigama
True enough! I'm 73, going on 18. I saw The Byrds and The Doors at the Whisky on Sunset Bl. In 1966! Ten feet in front of me! Will forever love The Byrds!