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."
Dweller By A Dark Stream
Bruce Cockburn Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Rooted as I am in a violent ground
How many times have I turned your promise down
Still you pour out your love
Pour out your love
I was a dweller by a dark stream
A crying heart hooked on a dark dream
And you showed me what you've done
Jesus, thank-you joyous Son
You entered a life like ours to give us back our own
You wanted us like you, as choosers not clones
You offered up your flesh and death was overthrown
Now salvation is ours,
Salvation is ours
I was a dweller by a dark stream
A crying heart hooked on a dark dream
In my convict soul I saw your love gleam
And you showed me what you've done
Jesus, thank-you joyous Son
So I'm walking this prison camp world
I long for a glimpse of the new world unfurled
The chrysalis cracking and moisten winds uncurl
Like in the vision John saw
The vision John saw
I was a dweller by a dark stream
A crying heart hooked on a dark dream
In my convict soul I saw your love gleam
And you showed me what you've done
Jesus, thank-you joyous Son
In "Dweller By A Dark Stream," Bruce Cockburn sings about his deep connection with Jesus Christ and how he has been transformed by Him. Through these lyrics, Cockburn reflects on his own past failures and sins, realizing that it is he who put thorns in Christ's crown through his actions. He paints himself as a "dweller by a dark stream," a prisoner of his own making, lost in a "dark dream." But he has been redeemed by the love of Christ who shows him what He has done, and Cockburn praises Him as the "joyous Son" who has saved his soul.
Line by Line Meaning
It could have been me put the thorns in your crown
I, like everyone else, am capable of causing pain and suffering to others, including you.
Rooted as I am in a violent ground
My surroundings and the world we live in are often filled with violence and aggression.
How many times have I turned your promise down
I have rejected your promises and teachings numerous times.
Still you pour out your love
Despite my shortcomings and failures, you continue to offer your love and forgiveness.
I was a dweller by a dark stream
I was lost and trapped in a world full of darkness and despair.
A crying heart hooked on a dark dream
My heart was full of sadness and pain, and my hopes and aspirations seemed impossible to achieve.
In my convict soul I saw your love gleam
Despite the darkness within me, I saw glimpses of your love and grace shining through.
And you showed me what you've done
Through your life and teachings, you showed me how to live with love, compassion, and hope.
Jesus, thank-you joyous Son
Thank you, Jesus, for bringing joy and hope to my life.
You entered a life like ours to give us back our own
You came into our world and lived among us to show us how to live fully and meaningfully.
You wanted us like you, as choosers not clones
You desired for us to live as individuals, with free will and the ability to make our own choices.
You offered up your flesh and death was overthrown
You sacrificed yourself for us, and through your death and resurrection, you overcame the power of death and sin.
Now salvation is ours
Through your sacrifice, we have the opportunity to receive salvation and eternal life.
So I'm walking this prison camp world
I am still living in a world full of pain, suffering, and hardship.
I long for a glimpse of the new world unfurled
I hope and long for a future where peace, love, and justice reign supreme.
The chrysalis cracking and moisten winds uncurl
I see signs of hope and transformation in the world around me, and I am encouraged by the possibilities of the future.
Like in the vision John saw
My hope and inspiration come from the vision of a better future, as described in the book of Revelation.
Jesus, thank-you joyous Son
Thank you, Jesus, for being the source of my hope and joy.
Contributed by Liliana J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Skye1234
A true gem I'm happy listening to this one
Frank Black
A song of love and peace for my soul...
ekmead
This a song of thankfulness to none other than Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the second person of the Trinity. It is a beauty through and through, heartfelt and true. Thanks for posting this
Brian L
A beautiful song of faith in something beyond us and our semi-distopic world. The magic of life is given and a world exists before our eyes. The realm after, regardless of race,and religion is there. A beautiful expression of human heart.
Jury Klymko
A perfect song.
RocketKirchner
this one cuts the deepest for me