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."
Look How Far
Bruce Cockburn Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In the rays of the setting sun
Glasses of wine on a crate between us
Catch the light, seem to glow from within
And there's a laugh
Hanging in the air
And there's no
So many miles, so many doors
Some need patience, some need force
All fall open in their own due course
To allow us this time
And your limned
In light, golden and thin
Looks to me
Like you're lit up from within
And look how far the light came
Look how far the light came
Look how far the light came
To paint you
This way
And I picture us in this light
Friendship a fine silver web
Stretched across golden smoky haze
And this is simple
And this is grace
And this light
Is a guest from far away
Passing through
The last whisper of day
And look how far the light came
Look how far the light came
Look how far the light came
To paint you
This way
The lyrics of Bruce Cockburn's song Look How Far are an ode to the beauty of friendship, love and the passing of time. The song is a soulful contemplation of the joys of life and the incredible journey we all take in our quest for love and happiness. The setting is a rooftop where the singer and a friend are watching the sun setting while sipping wine. The rays of the sun paint their world in warm hues and make the glasses of wine seem to glow from within. There is a laughter that hangs in the air, and it is clear that the two are at peace with themselves and with the world.
The song is all about the journey of life and how we all walk through so many doors in search of our dreams. Some of these doors require patience, while others need force to be opened. However, in the end, all doors fall open in their own due course, allowing us to savor the joys of life. The singer is happy to see his friend so lit up from within, with a warmth that stretches across a golden smoky haze. He pictures the two of them in this warm glow of friendship, which is a fine silver web stretching across a beautiful expanse of life.
The use of light as a metaphor in the song is essential as it symbolizes the beauty of life, the passing of time and the journey we all take. The light is a guest from far away, passing through the last whisper of day to paint the world in beautiful hues. The song is a magnificent portrayal of the beauty of life and the journey we all must undertake to savor its joys.
Line by Line Meaning
On this rooftop where we're sitting
We are currently on a rooftop
In the rays of the setting sun
The sun is setting and its rays are shining on us
Glasses of wine on a crate between us
There are glasses of wine between us on a crate
Catch the light, seem to glow from within
The glasses of wine are reflecting the sunlight and look as if they are glowing
And there's a laugh
We are laughing
Hanging in the air
The sound of our laughter fills the atmosphere
And there's no
There is not any
Desperation anywhere
We are content and not in any desperate situation
So many miles, so many doors
We have traveled many miles and encountered many obstacles
Some need patience, some need force
Some obstacles required patience while others needed force to overcome
All fall open in their own due course
Eventually, all doors and obstacles were overcome
To allow us this time
This allowed us to be able to sit on this rooftop and enjoy each other's company
And your limned
You are highlighted
In light, golden and thin
The sun is shining on you in a gentle, golden light
Looks to me
I perceive
Like you're lit up from within
You look as if you are glowing from within
And look how far the light came
It's amazing to see the distance the light had to travel to reach us
To paint you
To illuminate you
This way
In this beautiful light
And I picture us in this light
I imagine us in this beautiful light
Friendship a fine silver web
Our friendship is delicate and intricate
Stretched across golden smoky haze
Our friendship is like a web stretching across the golden sky
And this is simple
Our friendship is uncomplicated
And this is grace
Our friendship is an act of kindness
And this light
This sunlight
Is a guest from far away
The sunlight traveled a great distance to reach us
Passing through
Continuing on its path
The last whisper of day
The final moments of the day, as the sun sets
To paint you
To illuminate you
This way
In this beautiful light
Lyrics © CARLIN AMERICA INC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Bruce Cockburn
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Marianna Tubman
That is really gorgeous. I am amazed at how well you found or created images to fit the lyrics so perfectly. You worked really hard on this.
John McCulloch
Thank you, Marianna! :)
New Direction Autographs
This song just gives me goosebumps! He plays guitar so beautifully and hits those notes so well!
New Direction Autographs
Great song, He played this tonight for his encore. Such a great tune!
Paul Turner
Incredible job John!
John McCulloch
Much appreciated, Paul! Cheers!
caroline schaillee
He sings to the soul's truth and adapts mind to heart with grace.
Daniel L. Dingeldein
amazing artist he is
Luca B
Great musician and great man