Bruce Springsteen Tribute - Lebanese Tribute to Bruce Springsteen

CHIMES OF FREEDOM^©

Live 03 Jul 1988 version

Well far between sundown's finish and midnight's 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 crashing
Yeah flashing for the warriors whose strength is not to fight
Flashing for the refugees on their unarmed road of flight
And for each and every underdog soldier in the night
We gazed upon the chimes of freedom flashing

Well in the city's melted furnace, unexpectedly we watched
With faces hidden here while the walls were tightening
As the echo of the wedding bells before the blowing rain
Dissolved into the wild bales of lightning*
Yeah tolling for the rebel, yeah tolling for the rake
Tolling for the luckless, the abandoned and forsaked
Yeah tolling for the outcast, burning constantly at stake
And we gazed upon the chimes of freedom flashing

Alright now!

And then through a cloud-like curtain in a far off corner flashed
As the hypnotic splattered mist was slowly lifting
Well electric light still struck like arrows
Fired but for the ones condemned to drift or else be kept from drifting
Well 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

Well starry-eyed and laughing, 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 as the tolling ended
Yeah 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 (yeah!)
And we gazed upon the chimes of freedom flashing

Alright, now!**
Whoa whoa whoa
Well whoa whoa whoa whoa
Well whoa whoa whoa
Well whoa whoa whoaaa

Page last updated: 02 Sep 2007

The above lyrics are for the live 03 Jul 1988 performance at Stockholm Stadium, Stockholm, Sweden, during the Tunnel Of Love Express Tour. Springsteen's rendition has some slight lyrics variations (*) to Bob Dylan's original version, and is shorter; out of the 6 original verses, Springsteen uses verses 1, 2, 5, and 6. Patti Scialfa provides background vocals on some few lines.

** This line is edited out on the official release, but was intact on the 1988 radio broadcast.

The first set of this show was internationally FM broadcast, and it ended with CHIMES OF FREEDOM. The song was preceded by a spoken intro by Bruce Springsteen announcing that he'd be joining Sting, Peter Gabriel, Tracy Chapman, and Youssou N'Dour in the upcoming Amnesty International Human Rights Now! Tour.

Promo poster for the 03 Jul 1988 show at Stockholm Stadium, Stockholm, Sweden

Audio recording of CHIMES OF FREEDOM from this show (both with and without Bruce's spoken intro) was officially released on various 12-inch and CD EP's later that year. Note that among the several Dylan compositions Springsteen has covered in concerts, CHIMES OF FREEDOM was the only one to see an official release.

The Chimes Of Freedom EP was released worldwide in Aug 1988 to promote the upcoming Amnesty International Human Rights Now! Tour. Some proceeds from the EP sales went to Amnesty International. Though not promoted in the same manner as a standard album releases, the EP did manage to make it to No. 16 on Billboard's Mainstream Rock Tracks charts.

Tracks:
01- TOUGHER THAN THE REST [live 27 Apr 1988]
02- BE TRUE [live 28 Mar 1988]
03- CHIMES OF FREEDOM [live 03 Jul 1988]
04- BORN TO RUN [acoustic - live 27 Apr 1988]

12" vinyl - USA, 1988 - catalogue # COL 4C-44445.
Standard picture sleeve.
12" vinyl - Holland, 1988 - catalogue # CBS 655192 6.
Standard picture sleeve.
12" vinyl - Canada, 1988 - catalogue # ???.
Standard picture sleeve.
12" vinyl - Spain, 1988 - catalogue # ???.
Standard picture sleeve.
12" vinyl - Uruguay, 1988 - catalogue # CBS 8266.
Uruguay limited edition pressing, standard picture sleeve.
12" vinyl - Philippines, 1988 - catalogue # QCLEP-18172.
Rare Philippines issue which came in a die-cut sleeve with stickered rectangular small reproduction of the standard cover.
CD5 - Canada, 1988 - catalogue # COL CEPK-44445.
Canadian "Chimes Of Freedom" EP in standard-size jewel case with colour picture insert; contains unedited versions of TOUGHER THAN THE REST and CHIMES OF FREEDOM (clocking in at 6:42 and 7:21, respectively) despite incorrect shorter running times listed on the back cover. Note that an unknown number of copies came sealed in a long clear PVC blister pack that had the insert and disc/jewel case separated.
CD3 - USA, 1988 - catalogue # COL 44K-44445-S1.
Issued in a black 12-inch x 3-inch die-cut longpack. The fact that it includes edited versions of both TOUGHER THAN THE REST and CHIMES OF FREEDOM made this CD a highly controversial and much-criticized release. Some copies came in a 3-inch x 3-inch clear plastic bag (no longpack).
Cassette - USA, 1988 - catalogue # COL 4CT 44445.
US-only release in jewel case with colour picture inlay card. It is of note that, other than the controversial US 3-inch CD release, this tape includes the unedited version of CHIMES OF FREEDOM with Bruce's spoken introduction fully intact.
CD3 - Austria, 1988 - catalogue # CBS 653192 3.
Rare Austria-only "Chimes Of Freedom" EP (omitting one track from the appropriate vinyl version, BE TRUE) with nice miniature gatefold colour picture sleeve featuring same cover design as the 12-inch and Tunnel Of Love CD photo inside. Originally came sealed in a clear "CD3" logo blister pack.

The song was included on the Spare Parts EP's in 1988.

Tracks:
01- SPARE PARTS
02- PINK CADILLAC
03- SPARE PARTS [live 09 Jul 1988]
04- CHIMES OF FREEDOM [live 03 Jul 1988]

12" vinyl - Europe, 1988 - catalogue # CBS 652962 6.
Standard picture sleeve.
12" vinyl - UK, 1988 - catalogue # BRUCE T4.
Standard picture sleeve.
12" vinyl - Brazil, 1988 - catalogue # CBS 61.502.
Standard picture sleeve.
CD3 - Austria, 1988 - catalogue # CBS 652962 3.
Austrian pressing in colour cardboard picture sleeve with 5-inch plastic adapter.
CD5 - Australia, 1988 - catalogue # CBS 652962 2.
Rare Australian issue in standard jewel case with colour picture insert.
CD5 - UK, 1988 - catalogue # CBS BRUCE C4.
Cardboard sleeve.
CD5 - UK, 1988 - catalogue # CBS BRUCE B4 [or] CBS BRUCE C4.
Limited UK-only release in 5-inch tin can featuring an embossed "Spare Parts" logo on the lid. It is of note that there are actually two different issues around; the first one carrying a unique catalogue number (CBS BRUCE B4) and coming with a black "limited edition" sticker on the back of the tin, and the second (without sticker) sharing its catalogue number with the standard UK cardboard sleeve version (CBS BRUCE C4).
CD3 - Japan, 1988 - catalogue # CBS/SONY 15 EP8010.
Japanese Tunnel Of Love Express II EP in "snap-pack". Track configuration is identical to UK/European Spare Parts CD's whose cover artwork is reproduced on front; rear lists all band musicians in the 1988 tour line-up. Contains a fold-out sheet with English lyrics.

The Chimes Of Freedom EP was digitally remastered and reissued in 1999.

Tracks:
01- TOUGHER THAN THE REST [live 27 Apr 1988]
02- BE TRUE [live 28 Mar 1988]
03- CHIMES OF FREEDOM [live 03 Jul 1988]
04- BORN TO RUN [acoustic - live 27 Apr 1988]

CD5 - Europe, 1999 - catalogue # COL 667600 2.
This reissue's packaging is considerably different to the initial 1988 release; featuring a 5-page fold-out insert with a unique live shot of Bruce on front and all song lyrics plus another exclusive concert photo inside, coming in a standard-size jewel case.
CD5 - USA, 1999 - catalogue # COL CK 69469.
CD5 - USA, 1999 - catalogue # COL CK 63822.
CD5 - South Africa, 1999 - catalogue # ???.
CD5 - Japan, 1999 - catalogue # SONY SRCS 8989.
Japan release (as part of Sony's "cardboard packaging" reissue series that took in Springsteen's first six albums as well).
CD5 - Japan, 1999 - catalogue # SONY SRCS 8989.
Rare Japan-only picture disc. This was the second Japanese pressing which followed the original cardboard packaging version (with same catalogue number), coming in a regular jewel case.

The song was also included on some various artists compilation albums.

United Artists For The Poet: Bob Dylan 30th Anniversary
Vinyl LP - Italy, 1991 - catalogue # COL 468275 1
CD5 - Italy, 1991 - catalogue # COL 468275 2
Rare Italy-only Dylan tribute LP; marks the only official vinyl album appearance of Bruce's version of CHIMES OF FREEDOM. Italian liner notes on inner sleeve. Also issued as a CD , which is equally tough to find. CHIMES OF FREEDOM is most probably edited (no spoken intro) on this release.
Songs And Artists That Inspired Fahrenheit 9/11
CD album - USA, 2004 - catalogue # EPC 518700 2
Includes edited version of CHIMES OF FREEDOM (no spoken intro). This release presents music that inspired Michael Moore and his crew as they were shooting the Fahrenheit 9/11 film, with sales benefiting the Fallen Patriot Fund. Moore points out, "I have had [Springsteen's] music playing in all my work, starting with 'My Hometown' in Roger & Me. He is who we all aspire to be! He never broke faith."

Credits:
Recorded by Toby Scott
Mixed by Bob Clearmountain
Produced by Bruce Springsteen, Jon Landau, and Chuck Plotkin

Check out also the other available versions of this song:

Most scans and info for the above releases are taken from the Lost In The Flood website. Thanks Ugo C for the lyrics corrections.

Request:
I'm not sure if I mentioned all the CHIMES OF FREEDOM singles in existence and I don't have the complete info and scans for all of them. You can help by sending additions, corrections, or comments at , or by using the below form. You will be credited. Thanks in advance.

Spoken intro to CHIMES OF FREEDOM [Live 03 Jul 1988 version]:

Oh! Oh, yeah a little bit now. Earlier today Amnesty International announced a worldwide tour to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Declaration Of Human Rights [cheers]. The Declaration Of Human Rights is a document that was signed by every government in the world 40 years ago, recognizing the existence of certain inalienable human rights for everyone regardless of your race, your color, your sex, your religion, your political opinion, or the type of government that you're living under. I, I was glad to be asked to participate and I'm proud to join Sting, and Peter Gabriel, Youssou N'Dour, Tracy Chapman, in a tour that's gonna begin in early September, and is gonna run for about six weeks [cheers]. So, I'd like to give, dedicate this next song to the people at Amnesty International and their idea. And so when we come to your town, come on out, support the tour, support human rights for everyone now, and let freedom ring.

CHIMES OF FREEDOM©

Live 03 Jul 1988 version

Page last updated: 02 Sep 2007

CHIMES OF FREEDOM^©