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."
Mary Had A Baby
Bruce Cockburn Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Mary had a baby (oh, my Lord)
Mary had a baby (my Lord)
The people keep coming but the train has gone
Where did she lay him (my Lord)
Where did she lay him (oh, my Lord)
Where did she lay him (my Lord)
Laid him in a manger (my Lord)
Laid him in a manger (oh, my Lord)
Laid him in a manger (my Lord)
The people keep coming but the train has gone
What did she name him? (My Lord)
What did she name him? (Oh, my Lord)
What did she name him? (My Lord)
The people keep coming but the train has gone
Named him King Jesus (my Lord)
Named him King Jesus (oh, my Lord)
Named him King Jesus (my Lord)
The people keep coming but the train has gone
Who heard the singing? (My Lord)
Who heard the singing? (Oh, my Lord)
Who heard the singing? (My Lord)
The people keep coming but the train has gone
Shepherds heard the singing (my Lord)
Shepherds heard the singing (oh, my Lord)
Shepherds heard the singing (my Lord)
The people keep coming but the train has gone
Star keeps shining (my Lord)
Star keeps shining (oh, my Lord)
Star keeps shining (my Lord)
The people keep coming but the train has gone
Moving in the elements (my Lord)
Moving in the elements (oh, my Lord)
Moving in the elements (my Lord)
The people keep coming but the train has gone
Jesus went to Egypt (my Lord)
Jesus went to Egypt (oh, my Lord)
Jesus went to Egypt (my Lord)
The people keep coming but the train has gone
Traveled on a donkey (my Lord)
Traveled on a donkey (oh, my Lord)
Traveled on a donkey (my Lord)
The people keep coming but the train has gone
Angels went around him (my Lord)
Angels went around him (oh, my Lord)
Angels went around him (my Lord)
The people keep coming but the train has gone
The song "Mary Had A Baby" is a traditional African-American spiritual which has been recorded by many artists through the years. Bruce Cockburn's raw and emotive rendition of the song captures the listeners’ attention instantly. The song tells the story of Mary, the mother of Jesus, and the events surrounding his birth.
The song begins with Mary giving birth, "Mary had a baby, my Lord" repeated three times. Despite the joyous occasion, the lyrics take on a somber tone as the people keep coming, but the train has gone, indicating the urgency of the matter. The next verse asks where Mary laid baby Jesus, and the answer is in a manger instead of a proper bed. The third verse mentions the name given to the baby, King Jesus, implying that he will have a significant role to play.
The fourth verse talks about the people who heard the singing, and it was the shepherds. The following two verses, the star that shone and the journey to Egypt, are about Joseph's and Mary's biblical journey to protect baby Jesus from King Herod's wrath. The song ends with the image of angels surrounding the baby, signifying divinity.
The song's meaning is multi-layered and goes beyond simply retelling the birth story of Jesus. It speaks of the injustices of the times and subtly references the African American Slave trade. The train mentioned refers to the underground railroad used by slaves escaping from slavery. Also, the song highlights the importance of the role of shepherds who were often disregarded and lived on the margins of society. Lastly, it asserts that the spirit of Christ will prevail no matter what challenges come one's way.
Line by Line Meaning
Mary had a baby (my Lord)
Mary, the mother of Jesus, gave birth to a baby boy, who is addressed as my Lord.
The people keep coming but the train has gone
Many people keep coming to see Jesus, but the time for his birth has passed.
Where did she lay him (my Lord)
Where did Mary place her newly-born son?
Laid him in a manger (my Lord)
Mary put her son in a manger, as there was no room for them in the inn.
What did she name him? (My Lord)
What name did Mary give to her son?
Named him King Jesus (my Lord)
Mary gave her son the name King Jesus, indicating his future glory as the savior of the world.
Who heard the singing? (My Lord)
Who was the audience for the angelic chorus?
Shepherds heard the singing (my Lord)
The shepherds were the ones who heard the singing of the angels.
Star keeps shining (my Lord)
The star that guided the wise men to the baby Jesus continues to shine in the sky.
Moving in the elements (my Lord)
Mary, Joseph, and Jesus traveled in harsh conditions, with no protection from the elements.
Jesus went to Egypt (my Lord)
Due to the danger posed by King Herod, Jesus and his family fled to Egypt for safety.
Traveled on a donkey (my Lord)
Mary, Joseph, and Jesus traveled to Egypt on the back of a donkey.
Angels went around him (my Lord)
Angels surrounded and protected the infant Jesus on his journey to and from Egypt.
Lyrics © CARLIN AMERICA INC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Bruce Cockburn
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Bernie Lopez
Mary had a baby (My Lord)
Mary had a baby (Oh My Lord)
Mary had a baby (My Lord)
The people keep coming but the train has gone
Where did she lay him (My Lord)
Where did she lay him (Oh My Lord)
Where did she lay him (My Lord)
The people keep coming but the train has gone
Laid him in a manger (My Lord)
Laid him in a manger (Oh My Lord)
Laid him in a manger (My Lord)
The people keep coming but the train has gone
What did she name him? (My Lord)
What did she name him? (Oh My Lord)
What did she name him? (My Lord)
The people keep coming but the train has gone
Named him King Jesus (My Lord)
Named him King Jesus (Oh My Lord)
Named him King Jesus (My Lord)
The people keep coming but the train has gone
Who heard the singing? (My Lord)
Who heard the singing? (Oh My Lord)
Who heard the singing? (My Lord)
The people keep coming but the train has gone
Shepherds heard the singing (My Lord)
Shepherds heard the singing (Oh My Lord)
Shepherds heard the singing (My Lord)
The people keep coming but the train has gone
Star keeps shining (My Lord)
Star keeps shining (Oh My Lord)
Star keeps shining (My Lord)
The people keep coming but the train has gone
Moving in the elements (My Lord)
Moving in the elements (Oh My Lord)
Moving in the elements (My Lord)
The people keep coming but the train has gone
Jesus went to Egypt (My Lord)
Jesus went to Egypt (Oh My Lord)
Jesus went to Egypt (My Lord)
The people keep coming but the train has gone
Traveled on a donkey (My Lord)
Traveled on a donkey (Oh My Lord)
Traveled on a donkey (My Lord)
The people keep coming but the train has gone
Angels went around him (My Lord)
Angels went around him (Oh My Lord)
Angels went around him (My Lord)
The people keep coming but the train has gone
Don Dougherty
Heard it on the radio this morning... For me, one of the best Christmas songs ever. It it doesn't get you in a happy mood, you're not alive!
AB #1
PRAISE THE LORD!!!!!
syrupman
Sad they don't play this on the radio at Christmas time.. great song!
G
CBCR2 usually.
Wood Groove
One of the very best Christmas albums ever.
Madeleine Hague
Great, uplifting Christmas song! Cockburn's memoir just came out: "Rumours of Glory". Should be a good read, the guy CAN write!
Joseph Kurt
😄😄I'm very pls to know I'm not the only one that loves😍 the song but when last did you play it
Steve M.
Fuuny thing is, I started hearing this tune quite a bit last X-mas, and had no idea who it was? Had the tune playing in my head for the last week, and had to hear it, so I found it here. Always liked Bruce's style of music... Very original!
cbjdcmarvel
We listened to this on Christmas eve at my aunts house and everybody clapped their hands so much fun
G
Beautiful!!