Chimes Of Freedom
The Byrds · The Byrds Play Dylan [2011]
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.
Even though a cloud's white curtain
In a far-off corner flashed
An' the hypnotic splatter
Of 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.
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.
Even though a cloud's white curtain
In a far-off corner flashed
An' the hypnotic splatter
Of 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.
Chimes Of Freedom
The Byrds' "Chimes Of Freedom" appears on their 2011 reissue of "The Byrds Play Dylan," a collection that blends the group's signature 1960s folk-rock sound with Bob Dylan's songwriting. As a companion to tracks like "Mr. Tambourine Man," this recording captures the band's ability to reinterpret Dylan's material through their own distinctive lens, utilizing harmonies and acoustic textures that defined the era. The song reflects the collective's deep engagement with the folk revival movement, translating Dylan's poetic themes into a melodic arrangement that remains a staple of their discography. It stands as a testament to their role in bridging traditional folk with emerging rock influences.