Cockburn's early albums were fairly straight ahead folk music spotlighting his brilliant guitar playing. In fact, there were a good number of instrumental guitar numbers on those early recordings. A Christian element came into his music around the time of the album Salt, Sun and Time, and over time his writing has taken on a stronger and stronger political orientation.
Perhaps the most consistent element of Cockburn's music has been his willingness to change and evolve over time. In this way, he is similar to fellow Canadians Joni Mitchell and Neil Young.
He has had a couple of radio hits in the United States, including (Wondering Where the Lions Are and If I Had a Rocket Launcher).
His albums in the 80s are considered some of his strongest, including Humans, Inner City Front, Stealing Fire, and Big Circumstance. After Big Circumstance he struggled with writer's block, and his output began to slow down; but he recovered with the formidable Nothing But a Burning Light, which led the way back to a sparer, more folk-oriented form of music. His later album The Charity of Night contains one of his most thoughtful songs, Pacing the Cage.
His 2006 album Life Short Call Now was preceded by Speechless, a collection of instrumentals, many of them from earlier albums. The album highlights Cockburn's prodigious abilities as a guitarist.
Cockburn's 31st studio album,Small Source of Comfort was released in March, 2011. BruceCockburn.com called the album "an adventurous collection of songs of romance, protest and spiritual discovery. The album, primarily acoustic yet rhythmically savvy, is rich in Cockburn’s characteristic blend of folk, blues, jazz and rock."
Lovers In A Dangerous Time
Bruce Cockburn Lyrics
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You never get to stop and open your eyes
One day you're waiting for the sky to fall
The next you're dazzled by the beauty of it all
When you're lovers in a dangerous time
Lovers in a dangerous time
These fragile bodies of touch and taste
This vibrant skin, this hair like lace
Spirits open to the thrust of grace
Never a breath you can afford to waste
When you're lovers in a dangerous time
Lovers in a dangerous time
When you're lovers in a dangerous time
Lovers in a dangerous time
When you're lovers in a dangerous time
Sometimes you're made to feel as if your love's a crime
But nothing worth having comes without some kind of fight
Got to kick at the darkness 'til it bleeds daylight
When you're lovers in a dangerous time
When you're lovers in a dangerous time
When you're lovers in a dangerous time
Lovers in a dangerous time
Lovers in a dangerous time
Lovers in a dangerous time
Lovers in a dangerous time
Bruce Cockburn's song "Lovers in a Dangerous Time" is a beautiful and profound exploration of love and the dangers and challenges that come with it. The song begins with the observation that time seems to move faster and faster as we get older and we often forget to pause and appreciate the beauty around us. The lyrics then transition to an exploration of the vulnerability and fragility of the human body and the importance of not wasting a single moment of life. The chorus repeats the phrase "lovers in a dangerous time" reminding us that the challenges and dangers of love are universal and timeless.
The second verse continues this exploration of vulnerability and the human spirit, describing the grace and openness necessary for true intimacy. The final lines of the verse acknowledge the struggles and obstacles that lovers face, but asserts that the fight for love is always worth it. The chorus repeats once more, emphasizing the theme of danger and the difficulty of love, while also infusing it with a sense of hope and perseverance.
Overall, "Lovers in a Dangerous Time" is a powerful reminder of the risks and rewards of love, and the importance of seizing every moment of life, no matter how precarious. It is a thoughtful and evocative exploration of the human experience, with lyrics that are both deeply personal and universally relatable.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't the hours grow shorter as the days go by
Time seems to be moving too quickly, making you lose out on opportunities for experiences or feelings.
You never get to stop and open your eyes
There's a sense of urgency to enjoy everything around you, but you’re constantly running out of time.
One day you're waiting for the sky to fall
Life sometimes feels like it's about to collapse or that you’re in danger.
The next you're dazzled by the beauty of it all
Suddenly, you experience something so amazing that it makes you forget about the fear and enjoy the moment.
These fragile bodies of touch and taste
Our physical forms are delicate, with senses that connect us to this world.
This vibrant skin, this hair like lace
Our bodies are unique and beautiful, displaying the intricacy of life.
Spirits open to the thrust of grace
Our non-physical essence is receptive to life's surprises, which can further enrich our existence.
Never a breath you can afford to waste
With limited time, every moment in life counts and must be lived to the fullest.
Sometimes you're made to feel as if your love's a crime
Society can view some kinds of love as unacceptable, making people feel judged or unworthy.
But nothing worth having comes without some kind of fight
If you want something valuable, you have to struggle to obtain it.
Got to kick at the darkness 'til it bleeds daylight
To break out of a negative pattern, you have to keep fighting, even when success seems impossible.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Bruce Cockburn
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind