Ring them bells ye heathen from the city that dreams
Ring them bells from the sanctuaries cross the valleys and streams
For they're deep and they're wide
And the world is on its side
And time is running backwards
And so is the bride

Ring them bells Saint Peter where the four winds blow
Ring them bells with an iron hand
So the people will know
Oh, it's rush hour now
On the wheel and the plow
And the sun is going down upon the sacred cow

Ring them bells Sweet Martha for the poor man's son
Ring them bells so the world will know that God is one
Oh, the shepherd is asleep
Where the willows weep
And the mountains are filled with lost sheep
Ring them bells for the blind and the deaf
Ring them bells for all of us who are left
Ring them bells for the chosen few
Who will judge the many when the game is through
Ring them bells for the time that flies
For the child that cries
When innocence dies

Ring them bells for Saint Catherine from the top of the room
Ring them bells from the fortress for the lilies that bloom
Oh, the lines are long and the fighting is strong
And they're breaking down the distance between right and wrong


Lyrics submitted by endeavour

Ring Them Bells Lyrics as written by Bob Dylan

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

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Ring Them Bells song meanings
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  • -2
    General Comment

    From Dylan's Jewish background, Christians are heathen. Their bells symbolize their activities for reminding the world of God's will. This is certainly an important job. Though the result is that "they're breaking down the distance / Between right and wrong". Perhaps due to their variety and dividedness.

    Yes, Christianity is Jesus' bride. But Dylan sees it is developing backwards. The "sacred cow" was not meant to be a God other than Jahwe but just a means of better control over Jahwe. The specific "beliefs" of all the different Christian demonimations can be seen as "sacred cows" and thereby as a reason for going backwards.

    Mikeschon July 07, 2013   Link

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