 The Guide (Wommat) (1994) [ larger cover art ] |
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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
In the city’s melted furnace, unexpectedly we watched
With faces hidden while 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 unpawned painter behind beyond his rightful time
An’ we gazed upon the chimes of freedom flashing
Through 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
Tolling 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 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
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 while 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 unpawned painter behind beyond his rightful time
An’ we gazed upon the chimes of freedom flashing
Through 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
Tolling 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 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
| kingart (Brooklyn NY) | Posted: Apr 23, 2013 - 14:14 Sasha2001 wrote: No, it's Forever Young by Bob Dylan. Is this the African version of "I got you babe"??? sounds like it. Uhh, right church, wrong pew. Glad you're not playing Name That Tune on my team. That particular Dylan nor Sonny and Cher it ain't. We gazed upon the chimes of freedom flashing. I think Youssou can rightly sing a Dylan piece of universal significance (mostly) in his own language. |
| jmkate (nearly under a stack of books) | Posted: Jan 19, 2013 - 08:51 The lyrics stopped me in my tracks. Wow. |
| drews (London, Blighty) | Posted: Oct 17, 2012 - 07:04 schayler wrote: Sounds like Kermit the Frog and the Swedish Chef trying to sing Dylan. And here's a clip from the pop video of that song...  |
| Proclivities (Carrboro, NC) | Posted: Aug 15, 2012 - 06:15 sidetrak wrote: This music definitely gets a WTF?!? from everyone that walks past my desk at work.  That should usually be a good thing - not always, though. |
| schayler (Denver) | Posted: Apr 10, 2012 - 16:30 Sounds like Kermit the Frog and the Swedish Chef trying to sing Dylan. |
| glowworm (Devon, UK) | Posted: Apr 10, 2012 - 16:29 Byronape wrote: I thought Bill said that the music was from "You Shall Endure." After clicking submit, I'm hitting PSD cuz I'd rather not endure this.
Just not an Afro-pop fan. Utterly terrible! |
| Byronape ("post-capitalist wreckageville") | Posted: Apr 10, 2012 - 16:25 I thought Bill said that the music was from "You Shall Endure." After clicking submit, I'm hitting PSD cuz I'd rather not endure this. Just not an Afro-pop fan. |
| Sasha2001 (I can see Zabars from my window) | Posted: Feb 07, 2012 - 07:46 boober wrote: Is this the African version of "I got you babe"???
sounds like it. No, it's Forever Young by Bob Dylan. |
| moonsaura (MD) | Posted: Dec 05, 2011 - 17:39 digging this! had to give it a 10 hoping to improve the unfair rating...imo ;) |
| jonty (Macclesfield, England) | Posted: Oct 03, 2011 - 13:21 drewd wrote: I heard it too, Glad you said it first......... Get outta here - it's Chimes of Freedom guys |
| drewd | Posted: Oct 03, 2011 - 13:03 boober wrote: Is this the African version of "I got you babe"??? sounds like it. I heard it too, Glad you said it first......... |
| madebytim (Denmark) | Posted: Oct 03, 2011 - 13:03 quite likeable |
| jonty (Macclesfield, England) | Posted: Oct 03, 2011 - 13:02 One of the greatest songs ever and this just shows that it crosses all borders. |
| (former member) (hotel in Las Vegas) | Posted: Oct 03, 2011 - 13:00 We be dancing... |
| Kokoloco53 (Safford, AZ) | Posted: Jul 01, 2011 - 08:09 Oh yes, some good tunes from Africa. Another of my favorites is Wasis Diop, who actually only put out 1 good album, but what an album. |
| Kemoc (Waynesville, OH) | Posted: Jul 01, 2011 - 08:06 sidetrak wrote: This music definitely gets a WTF?!? from everyone that walks past my desk at work. HERE TOO! LOL |
| fevertree (P'cola, FL) | Posted: Jun 16, 2010 - 13:23 This is really inspiring and uplifting music. A breath of fresh air in a oil soaked, stale world. Thanks. |
| CamLwalk (Albany NY) | Posted: Jun 16, 2010 - 13:19 Very cool. |
| JuliaH | Posted: Jun 16, 2010 - 13:17 I love this version of this song. |
| calypsus_1 | Posted: Mar 13, 2010 - 23:31 Youssou N'dour - "Immigrés/Bitim Rew" Live |
| Asmith | Posted: Mar 13, 2010 - 09:12 boober wrote: Classic Is this the African version of "I got you babe"??? sounds like it. |
| sirdroseph (Outer Mongolia) | Posted: Feb 09, 2010 - 20:09 One of my favorite artists played here, hell, anywhere!  |
| (former member) (hotel in Las Vegas) | Posted: Jan 09, 2010 - 09:33 RabbitEars wrote: http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/bobdylan/chimesoffreedom.html Cool! Thanks! |
| RabbitEars | Posted: Nov 07, 2009 - 15:23 romeotuma wrote: I don't know wtf he's saying, but this song sure sounds groovy... http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/bobdylan/chimesoffreedom.html |
| (former member) (hotel in Las Vegas) | Posted: Nov 07, 2009 - 15:21 I don't know wtf he's saying, but this song sure sounds groovy... |
| RabbitEars | Posted: Nov 07, 2009 - 15:19 one of the weaker songs on an excellent album. #11 is to die for. |
| laozilover (Left of Chicago and up) | Posted: Nov 07, 2009 - 15:19 Cool!  |
| On_The_Beach (Vancouver BC, Bud) | Posted: Oct 07, 2009 - 02:31 alphachimp wrote: So where the hell's the cute children's choir ? More reverb. And what about some actual chimes ? Yah, it's a bit precious (with apologies to Zimmerman). |
| zanref | Posted: Oct 07, 2009 - 02:30 AdyMiles wrote: ho hum. can't wait 'til it ends 7 seconds from the same author is muuuuuuuch better |
| AdyMiles (Wolverhampton, UK) | Posted: Sep 05, 2009 - 14:23 ho hum. can't wait 'til it ends |
| HazzeSwede (Vinyl Land) | Posted: Jul 04, 2009 - 08:50 #2 out of everything |
| alphachimp (Antarctica - then up a bit) | Posted: Jun 02, 2009 - 14:25 So where the hell's the cute children's choir ? More reverb. And what about some actual chimes ? |
| flyboy (Sarah Palin's Hometown) | Posted: Jun 02, 2009 - 14:02 calypsus_1 wrote:
It seems there are users in RP Station that behave as agitators and destructive; and poor education and lack of respect; frustation repressed? infantis behaviour? Bizarre situations? are a genuine obstacle and nuisance to who frequents the RP Station with interest the positive aspects and seriously; should in future there by the administrator a default filter good habits and customs that avoids this type of abuse.
Maybe we'll ban you next for the incredibly hard to read bad grammer. Maybe while we're at it we can ban everyone that doesn't agree with the hippie, grass smoking, bunny hugging, baby murdering, anti-gun, anti-Christian, anti-USA, one-world peace and harmony, anti-capitilist, anti-white, pro gay marriage, anti-male, left-wing liberal media agenda. Maybe we'll just ban them straight to the gas chambers so we can all hold hands, eat vegetables, hug bunnies, kill our unborn, and love our mother Earth in peace and harmony. We better hurry before they decide to do the same thing to us. And no, the irony of talking about banning people of any sort from anything in a comment for a song called "Chimes of Freedom" is not lost on me. I can't tell if you're legit or just pulling our leg, but wow dude, if you're legit, you need a new translator. |
| sidetrak (Herriman, UTAH) | Posted: Jun 02, 2009 - 13:55 This music definitely gets a WTF?!? from everyone that walks past my desk at work. |
| boober (KC,Mo) | Posted: Jun 02, 2009 - 13:54 Is this the African version of "I got you babe"??? sounds like it. |
| pugifat | Posted: Jun 02, 2009 - 13:52 Oh so this is the guy who sings with Sting sometimes. Cool dmax wrote: Saw this on the Amnesty Tour as well. How moving to see Tracy Chapman, Sting, Gabriel, Youssou, Lou Reed, and Bruce Springsteen come to the front and do verses of this. (Yes, I know they didn't all do it on the same tour - I saw at least two tours) |
| sharkey (Hogtown - Toronto - Canada) | Posted: Mar 31, 2009 - 07:41 Grizzly_old_man wrote: I don't necessarily hate this tune but I can tell you it definitely in not on my top ten list of tunes I would want to hear if I were on a deserted island.
Bill must be on holidays!!! This set is same four plays as on January 27. |
| megisi | Posted: Mar 31, 2009 - 07:38 Knowing a little more about Youssou N'dour and his selfless contributions to peace and freedom helps put this Dylan cover in better perspective. Love and respect the man. Still, my preference is the live Springsteen version. |
| Grizzly_old_man (I'm in the state of confusion on the west coast of Illinois) | Posted: Feb 27, 2009 - 19:43 I don't necessarily hate this tune but I can tell you it definitely in not on my top ten list of tunes I would want to hear if I were on a deserted island. It may well be the number one top smash hit in Africa {and other countries, though doubt it} but it is not for me. Ain't what I call rock'n roll. There are plenty of tunes produced right here in the USA that I feel the same way about, not just this one, or even this genre. It seems to me even the artist was bored with it as he was recording it. The musicians just sorta plod along, not like it was even enjoyable to them, more like it was just a job they had to do to make a few bucks, no matter what. You might guess I'm pretty bored with a lot of music and I guess you'd be right. The ones I really like probably would not be on your top ten list for deserted islands either. |
| SwampYankee (Berkley, MA) | Posted: Feb 27, 2009 - 19:01 You haters. Get a life! |
| Null_Hypothesis (Vancouver) | Posted: Feb 27, 2009 - 19:01 calypsus_1 wrote:
It seems there are users in RP Station that behave as agitators and destructive; and poor education and lack of respect; frustation repressed? infantis behaviour? Bizarre situations? are a genuine obstacle and nuisance to who frequents the RP Station with interest the positive aspects and seriously; should in future there by the administrator a default filter good habits and customs that avoids this type of abuse. Yes they MUST be banned!!!!  |
| sharkey (Hogtown - Toronto - Canada) | Posted: Jan 27, 2009 - 05:14 Great segue to Peter Gabriel - Don't Give Up ;Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here Coldplay - Viva la Vida Bill's on a roll this morning. As always!!! |
| calypsus_1 | Posted: Nov 13, 2008 - 11:03
It seems there are users in RP Station that behave as agitators and destructive; and poor education and lack of respect; frustation repressed? infantis behaviour? Bizarre situations? are a genuine obstacle and nuisance to who frequents the RP Station with interest the positive aspects and seriously; should in future there by the administrator a default filter good habits and customs that avoids this type of abuse.
|
| trekhead (Arkham, G.C.) | Posted: Oct 24, 2008 - 11:16 manbirdexperiment wrote:   Great T Shirt design , but why do you worship something that saws people's faces off, then stuffs them with Crash Test Dummies? Or, is the gogggled one your god? Or the crow? |
| Manbird (Santa Rosa, CA) | Posted: Oct 18, 2008 - 19:23 |
| macadavy (Cascadia's attic, eh?) | Posted: Sep 22, 2008 - 19:40 Much rather hear the original (didn't the Byrds cover this?)! |
| The_Enemy (The Sewer) | Posted: Aug 22, 2008 - 07:02 justlistening wrote: Quite a few years ago I posted that I didn't like this guys voice and I just noticed that I got slammed for being a snobby American who doesn't understand the African way of singing. I still don't like his voice. I don't like everything that Elvis did either. What does that make me? Not liking something from a particular genre is not a condemnation of the entire genre. It makes you a Bad American.  Seriously tho', these boards do denigrate at times and some folks on the Internet have bad manners. You can't let it get to you. If 95% of everything (incl. American and African music) is crap, I like to think that we're sifting for the top 5% and that's what should get played here. Of course there's going to be disagreement over what that 5% is but suggesting that 100% of African music (or anyone's music) makes the cut? Sorry, we just want the top 5% here. |
| Elisaf | Posted: Aug 22, 2008 - 06:44 Yeah, he is just awesome! But 7 seconds is absolutely the best of him for now! I just Love that song!!! |
| Jeremy_Cherfas | Posted: Aug 22, 2008 - 06:37 Despite not understanding any of the words — apart from the refrain in English — I still love to hear this song. It would be on my top ten Dylan covers without a doubt. |
| Excelsior | Posted: Aug 22, 2008 - 06:34 This guy is really overrated and also managed to lower the quality of every Peter Gabriel song he ever appeared in. |