#AtoZ Dylan – “C” is for Chimes of Freedom

Martha Reynolds 2019 A to Z April 3, 2019April 1, 2019 1 Minute

“All I can do is be me, whoever that is.” ~ Bob Dylan

“Chimes of Freedom” was featured on Dylan’s 1964 album Another Side of Bob Dylan. Music critic Paul Williams, a leading authority on Bob Dylan, has described “Chimes of Freedom” as Dylan’s Sermon on the Mount. The lyrics have been analyzed by many, some referencing the poetry of Arthur Rimbaud, others thinking the song included Dylan’s reflections on the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Click HERE for a link to the lyrics.

The first public performance of the song took place in early 1964, either at the Civic Auditorium in Denver or at the Berkeley Community Theater in Berkeley, California. It’s been covered by The Byrds, Jefferson Starship, Joan Osborne, and Warren Zevon, among others. Here is Bruce Springsteen’s version, played in East Berlin in 1988:

Published by Martha Reynolds

I am the bestselling author of nine novels, including the Swiss Chocolate trilogy and VILLA DEL SOL, which won the 2018 Book Award in Literary Fiction from the Independent Publishers of New England. My newest series includes the books A JINGLE VALLEY WEDDING, APRIL IN GALWAY, and ALL’S WELL IN JINGLE VALLEY. Find my books online at Amazon, locally at Stillwater Books (Pawtucket, Rhode Island) and Ink Fish Books (Warren, Rhode Island). View all posts by Martha Reynolds

Published April 3, 2019April 1, 2019

10 thoughts on “#AtoZ Dylan – “C” is for Chimes of Freedom”

Scarlett79 says:

April 4, 2019 at 12:38 am

Oh Y A Y so glad you’re here Mz. Martha ♥️ It’s late right now but I’ll pick you up tomorrow. Hope life has been treating you well out East !!! It’s still chilly and yucky weather here. Hope Spring will be here soon. Blessings dear Martha and I’ll be following and listening. Love music 🎼

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1. Martha Reynolds says:
  
  April 4, 2019 at 9:41 am
  
  Thank you, Patti!
  
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trishafaye says:

April 3, 2019 at 2:26 pm

Such great music you’re featuring during the A to Z!

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1. Martha Reynolds says:
  
  April 4, 2019 at 9:42 am
  
  And Trisha, I’m so glad I decided to do cover versions, too. I knew that a month of Dylan might be too much (besides, with other people singing his songs, you might actually understand the words!)
  
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connieciampanelli says:

April 3, 2019 at 9:42 am

One could do worse than choose Springsteen as a Dylan interpreter. This is marvelous.

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1. Martha Reynolds says:
  
  April 4, 2019 at 9:42 am
  
  More to come, Connie! xxx
  
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Mary Lou says:

April 3, 2019 at 8:02 am

Dylan’s Sermon on the Mount. Yes, he was a prophetic voice and still is. Thanks for the great post!
https://meinthemiddlewrites.com/2019/04/03/a-to-z-challenge-april-world-holidays-letter-c/

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1. Martha Reynolds says:
  
  April 4, 2019 at 9:44 am
  
  Thanks, Mary Lou. I’m loving your theme and posts!
  
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zuludelta45 says:

April 3, 2019 at 7:36 am

M- I love the Springsteen version and his comments at the end. The age old question; will this song stand the test of time……..I would say yes!

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1. Martha Reynolds says:
  
  April 4, 2019 at 9:45 am
  
  ZD, I find so many of his songs are still relevant – 50+ years later, in some instances….
  
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