Chimes of Freedom

About Chimes of Freedom

"Chimes of Freedom" is a song written and performed by Bob Dylan and featured on his 1964 album Another Side of Bob Dylan (see 1964 in music), produced by Tom Wilson. Initially, critics described the song as showing the influence of the symbolist poetry of Arthur Rimbaud. More recent biographers of Dylan have linked the origins of the song to verses Dylan had written as a reflection on the assassination of President Kennedy in 1963. The song depicts the thoughts and feelings of the singer and his companion as they shelter from a lightning storm under a doorway after sunset. The singer expresses his solidarity with the downtrodden and oppressed, believing the thunder is tolling in sympathy for them. Music critic Paul Williams has described the song as Dylan's Sermon on the Mount. The song has been covered many times by different artists, including The Byrds, Jefferson Starship, Youssou N'Dour, Bruce Springsteen, and U2. more »