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."
Life Will Open
Bruce Cockburn Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We can't dance without seasons upon which to stand
Eden is a state of rhythm like the sea
Is a timeless change
Turn your eyes to the world where we all sit and dream
Busy dreaming ourselves and each other into being
Dreaming is a state of death, can't you see?
If we can sing with the wind song
Chant with thunder
Play upon the lightning
Melodies of wonder
Into wonder life will open
We are children of the river we have named 'existence'
Undercurrent and surface pass in the same tense
Nothing is confined except what's in your mind
Every footstep must be true
If we can sing with the wind song
Chant with thunder
Play upon the lightning
Melodies of wonder
Into wonder life will open
The lyrics to Bruce Cockburn's song "Life Will Open" have a deep and insightful meaning. The first verse talks about how waves cannot break without rocks that dissolve into sand, implying that everything in life is interconnected and that everything has its own place and purpose. Similarly, the idea is reinforced with the notion that we cannot dance without seasons upon which to stand, again showing the connection between all aspects of life. Eden, in this context, represents a state of rhythm, a timeless change that embodies the essence of life itself. It implies that we must embrace the impermanence of life and see beauty in its constant evolution.
In the second verse, the lyrics become more introspective, asking us to turn our eyes to the world where we all sit and dream. The idea is that dreaming is a state of death because one is not living in the present moment but rather projecting oneself into an imaginary world. The chorus of the song reinforces the idea that if we can sing with the wind song, chant with thunder, play upon the lightning, and create melodies of wonder, then life will open up to us.
The metaphor of being children of the river called "existence" is used to represent the fact that we are all part of a larger entity, and every aspect of it is connected. The idea that undercurrent and surface pass in the same tense shows that everything is flowing and interdependent. Finally, the lyrics end on a note of hope, saying that every footstep must be true and that if we can embrace wonder and live in the present moment, life will open up for us.
Line by Line Meaning
Waves can't break without rocks that dissolve into sand
Just like the erosion of rocks makes sand, experiences and challenges in life help shape us and bring us to where we are. It's only through these hardships that we can truly thrive.
We can't dance without seasons upon which to stand
Life is full of ups and downs similar to the changing of seasons. These experiences help us figure out who we are and what we stand for so we can fully embrace life and all of its complexity.
Eden is a state of rhythm like the sea
Eden, a utopian paradise, is achieved by finding balance and harmony in ourselves and the world around us, much like the constant ebb and flow of the sea.
Is a timeless change
Change is the only constant in life, and our ability to adapt and evolve is what allows us to grow and progress towards our goals.
Turn your eyes to the world where we all sit and dream
We should take a moment to appreciate the beauty of the world around us and the limitless potential that comes with our dreams and aspirations.
Busy dreaming ourselves and each other into being
Our emotions, thoughts, and actions contribute to shaping our identity and our relationships with others. By following our dreams, we can become the best version of ourselves and positively impact those around us.
Dreaming is a state of death, can't you see?
While dreaming can help us envision a better future and our goals for our lives, it's important to take action and live in the present moment. By not taking actual steps towards our dreams, they will never become reality.
We must live through who we are
It's important to embrace our true selves and all that we stand for, rather than trying to fit into someone else's mold. Living authentically allows us to find fulfillment in life and make a positive impact on the world around us.
If we can sing with the wind song
By embracing the beauty of nature and our surroundings, we can find the inspiration to live our best lives and create positive change in the world.
Chant with thunder
Our ability to tap into the power and energy of the world around us can bring us a deeper understanding of ourselves and our place in the world.
Play upon the lightning
Taking risks and being bold allows us to achieve our dreams and create a positive impact on the world around us. Life is a journey, and it's up to us to make the most of it.
Melodies of wonder
By embracing the beauty of the world around us and the infinite potential we hold within ourselves, we can create a life full of wonder and excitement.
Into wonder life will open
By living a life full of wonder, embracing the beauty and excitement of the world around us, we can unlock our full potential and reach new heights of fulfillment and happiness.
We are children of the river we have named 'existence'
We are all connected to the river of life, existing and flowing together. While we may have different paths in life, we are all part of the same larger story.
Undercurrent and surface pass in the same tense
Just like the undercurrent and surface of a river exist together, our inner selves and outer selves are constantly in harmony, influencing and shaping each other in both big and small ways.
Nothing is confined except what's in your mind
Our thoughts and beliefs can limit us from achieving our full potential. By embracing a more open-minded perspective, we can break free from these constraints and create a life full of possibilities.
Every footstep must be true
In order to create a life full of wonder and fulfillment, every decision we make and every step we take must align with our authentic selves and values. We must be true to ourselves in all aspects of life to achieve our full potential.
Lyrics © CARLIN AMERICA INC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Bruce Cockburn
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind