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."
It Won
Bruce Cockburn Lyrics
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Couldn't see no dawn
But I know it won't be long
To keep the fire burning
Ain't no easy game
But we'll do it just the same
Where the weather keeps you real
Till this devil's law is repealed
And I know it won't be long
The lyrics of Bruce Cockburn's song "It Won't Be Long" are filled with hope and resilience. In the first verse, the singer hears a rooster crowing, but he couldn't see any dawn yet. It symbolizes that although things look bleak and difficult, there is a sense of optimism and a belief that things will get better soon. This is further driven home by the refrain "but I know it won't be long."
In the second verse, the lyrics talk about the difficulty of keeping a fire burning. It is not an easy game and requires constant attention and care. This could represent the singer's own struggles and how they will keep fighting despite the obstacles they face.
Finally, in the last verse, the singer announces that they are going to the northland, where the weather is harsh and unforgiving, but they will endure it until "this devil's law" is repealed. This line is particularly interesting and could refer to a myriad of things, from oppressive government policies to personal struggles. It encapsulates the idea of resilience and determination despite the challenges faced.
Line by Line Meaning
Heard the rooster crowing
Woke up early in the morning and heard the rooster crowing.
Couldn't see no dawn
It was still dark outside and I couldn't see the sun rising.
But I know it won't be long
Despite the darkness, I have hope that the dawn is coming soon.
To keep the fire burning
It takes effort to keep the fire going.
Ain't noeasy game
It's not an easy task to keep the fire burning.
But we'll do it just the same
Despite the difficulty, we will still work hard to keep the fire burning.
I'm going to the northland
I am travelling to the northern parts of the country.
Where the weather keeps you real
The harsh weather conditions in the north keep you grounded and humbled.
Till this devil's law is repealed
I will stay in the north until the unjust law is abolished.
And I know it won't be long
I have confidence that the unjust law will be repealed soon.
Lyrics © CARLIN AMERICA INC
Written by: BRUCE COCKBURN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind