Incandescent Blue
Bruce Cockburn Lyrics


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I sneaked across the border -- it was threatening rain --
So I could stand in this tunnel, waiting for the roaring train
And watch those black kids working out kung fu moves
If you don't want to be the horses' hoofprints you got to be the hooves

Hear that lonesome violin play
See the notes float up into the overcast
and change to white birds as they sail on through
and soar away free into incandescent blue

People getting ready behind all those rectangles of light
"Put on your grin mask, babe, you know we're steppin out tonight"
You hear that sound, like hammers only small?
It's what the people's heads say when they beat them against the wall

Hear that lonesome violin play
See the notes float up into the overcast
and change to white birds as they sail on through
and soar away free into incandescent blue

Concrete vortex sucks down the wind
It's howling like a blinded violin.
Oh -- tongues of fire, come and kiss my brow
if I ever needed you, well I need you now

Hear that lonesome violin play
See the notes float up into the overcast




and change to white birds as they sail on through
and soar away free into incandescent blue

Overall Meaning

The song "Incandescent Blue" by Bruce Cockburn tells the story of someone who has crossed the border to witness a group of black kids doing kung fu moves in a tunnel. The person watching the scene feels inspired by the kids' determination to be the hooves rather than the horses' hoofprints. In the next verse, the song describes a scene where people are getting ready for a night out while wearing their "grin masks." The hammering sound in the background represents the frustration and anger of people beating their heads against the wall. In the next verse, the song talks about the concrete vortex that sucks down the wind and howls like a blinded violin. The singer calls out to the tongues of fire to kiss his brow because he needs them more than ever before.


The song is a passionate plea for change and hope. The lonesome violin playing throughout the piece represents the struggles of society and the beauty that is still present. The lyrics are painting a picture of a world that is both chaotic and beautiful at the same time. The incandescent blue that the white birds soar away into represents the hope that things will get better someday, even if they are not perfect now.


Line by Line Meaning

I sneaked across the border -- it was threatening rain --
The singer crossed the border secretly, under the threat of impending rain


So I could stand in this tunnel, waiting for the roaring train
The singer is waiting in a tunnel to observe a train as it passes by


And watch those black kids working out kung fu moves
The singer observes young African American individuals practicing Kung Fu


If you don't want to be the horses' hoofprints you got to be the hooves
In order to take control of one's own destiny, one must actively participate in their own life and not just be a passive bystander


Hear that lonesome violin play
The artist notices the sound of a lonely violin playing


See the notes float up into the overcast
The singer observes the musical notes rise up and drift into the cloudy sky


and change to white birds as they sail on through
The notes transform into white birds which soar freely


and soar away free into incandescent blue
The birds disappear into the bright blue sky, representing freedom


People getting ready behind all those rectangles of light
The artist observes individuals getting ready for the night in their illuminated apartments


"Put on your grin mask, babe, you know we're steppin out tonight"
The artist hears someone encouraging their partner to put on a happy façade as they go out for the evening


You hear that sound, like hammers only small?
The singer asks if the listener can hear the sound which resembles small hammers striking something


It's what the people's heads say when they beat them against the wall
The sound is the internal dialogue of people as they struggle and face difficulties in their lives


Concrete vortex sucks down the wind
The environment is bleak and hostile, with the wind being pulled into a metaphorical vortex


It's howling like a blinded violin.
The wind creates a sound similar to that of a violin being played in a painful, distressed manner


Oh -- tongues of fire, come and kiss my brow
The singer calls out for strength and passion during a difficult time


if I ever needed you, well I need you now
The artist expresses their current need for assistance and guidance




Contributed by Gianna Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

J Mac

This whole album is a masterpiece....

Mary-Beth Hallen

the bass lines ...incredable!

Luke S

@Scott Robbins that's Fergus Marsh. His brother Hugh was playing violin with Cockburn for a while. Played a Chapman Stick on later albums; not sure about this one.

Scott Robbins

Bass player was listening to some Jaco!

Peter Ramos

Great Song! Bruce is Greatly appreciated!

Rae Zola

this song is my fave I remember hitch hiking thru the Desert landing my feet at my Brother s and hearing this in my head ...everyone a hippy Cowboy we all got along ..

Veronica Funky

Rae Zola ok

emory0

I remember driving through the Yucatan on a tourist bus while listening to this: In Villadolid they'd built a sleeping policeman so high the people in the other bus had to get out and push their bus over it.

PaJó Afonso

Bruce Cockburn – guitar, chimes, synthesizer, dulcimer, vocals
Pat Godfrey – piano, marimba, background vocal on "Wondering Where the Lions Are"
Robert Boucher – bass
Bob Di Salle – drums, congas
except on "Wondering Where the Lions Are"

Larry "Sticky Fingers" Silvera – bass, background vocal
Ben Bow – drums, güiro, background vocal

CrispyDragons

Really nice fretless bass playing on this one.

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