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."
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Bruce Cockburn Lyrics
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Nothing left to give away
Naked as the Hanged Man's secrets
Nothing left to do but pray
You don't have to play the horses
Life's a gamble all the same
It don't take much to make you lose sight
Anyone can be a soldier
It's a prevalent disease
Oh God I don't know where to step now
Help me find the right road please
So we wait beside the desert
Nothing left to give away
Naked as the Hanged Man's secrets
Praying for the break of day
Bruce Cockburn’s “You Don’t Have to Play the Horses” is a rumination on the vagaries of fate and the human condition. The chorus of the song is a reminder that life is a gamble, and that anyone can fall out of control at any moment. The song opens with the image of a barren, dusty desert. At the song’s outset, there seems to be nothing left to give, no resources left to expend. The metaphor of the desert is symbolic of a life lived in a state of drought, where there is no shade, no shelter, nothing that can fulfill one’s most basic needs. The desolate landscape serves as a reminder that everything in life is fleeting and transitory, and that nothing can be taken for granted.
The next stanza of the song reinforces the theme of gambling and uncertainty. Cockburn sings that life is a gamble, and that losing sight of the object of the game is easy. This can be read as a metaphor for the way we sometimes lose track of what matters in life, getting caught up in our own obsessions and compulsions. The song’s refrain is, “You don’t have to play the horses,” which can be read as a reminder that you cannot win if you do not play the game. The final stanza of the song asks God for guidance, signaling that the singer is lost and in need of direction. The song ends on a hopeful note, with the singer praying for the “break of day,” symbolizing hope and rebirth.
Line by Line Meaning
So we wait beside the desert
We find ourselves in a barren wasteland with no clear way forward, stagnant in our current situation.
Nothing left to give away
We have exhausted all of our resources and have nothing left to offer or sacrifice.
Naked as the Hanged Man's secrets
We are exposed and vulnerable, with everything laid bare and no secrets left to hide.
Nothing left to do but pray
In the face of uncertainty and hopelessness, our only option is to turn to a higher power and seek guidance or intervention.
You don't have to play the horses
Life is naturally risky and uncertain, and we don't have to actively seek out or participate in dangerous situations or endeavors.
Life's a gamble all the same
Regardless of how cautious or calculated we are, life is inherently unpredictable and full of chance.
It don't take much to make you lose sight
It's easy to become distracted or overwhelmed by the various obstacles and diversions that life presents, causing us to lose sight of our goals or purpose.
Of the object of the game
There is a bigger picture or greater meaning to our existence, and it's important to remember and stay focused on that larger goal.
Anyone can be a soldier
It is easy to get caught up in the mentality of war, conflict, or competition, and adopt an aggressive or combative mindset.
It's a prevalent disease
This mindset is widespread and contagious, infecting many individuals and groups throughout society.
Oh God I don't know where to step now
We are lost and unsure of how to navigate our current circumstances or find our way forward.
Help me find the right road please
We are seeking guidance and direction from a higher power or authority figure to help us make the correct decisions and move forward towards our goals.
Praying for the break of day
We are hoping for a new beginning or a fresh start, a way out of our current state of confusion and stagnation.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., CARLIN AMERICA INC
Written by: BRUCE COCKBURN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Nelson Sandoval
This song has such significance in my life that to me is the best he has ever made!
Deborah Cookston
Every song is a masterpiece by this man
PHJimY
I always liked this one. It was my first exposure to slide banjer. Must be over 40 years ago.
The Hamilton Art Gallery used to own the "Horse And Train" Alex Colville painting. Maybe they still do.
Rob Davidson
Ah its Bruce what more need be said great music!
nightimelady
it is utterly fantastic, at the risk of being presumptuous i'm gonna suggest an album called silent passage by bob carpenter, you might like it.