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."
Maybe The Poet
Bruce Cockburn Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
but he'll be heard anyway
maybe the poet is drugged
but he won't stay under the rug
maybe the voice of the spirit
in which case you'd better hear it
maybe he's a woman
who can touch you where you're human
male female slave or free
peaceful or disorderly
maybe you and he will not agree
but you need him to show you new ways to see
don't let the system fool you
all it wants to do is rule you
pay attention to the poet
you need him and you know it
put him up against the wall
shoot him up with pentothal
shoot him up with lead
you won't call back what's been said
put him in the ground
but one day you'll look around
there'll be a face you don't know
voicing thoughts you've heard before
male female slave or free
peaceful or disorderly
maybe you and he will not agree
but you need him to show you new ways to see
don't let the system fool you
all it wants to do is rule you
pay attention to the poet
you need him and you know it
The lyrics to Bruce Cockburn's "Maybe the Poet" speak to the importance of listening to the voices of poets, who may come from different backgrounds and perspectives but offer a unique way of seeing the world that is essential to our society. The poet is presented as someone who may be marginalized by society - gay, drugged, or a woman - but whose voice is still necessary and powerful. Their words can touch us where we are most human and show us new ways of looking at the world.
The song also warns against those who would silence the poet - whether through censorship or violence. The lyrics describe the system's desire to control and rule over us, and how poets offer a way to resist this. Even if the poet is silenced or killed, their ideas remain and may continue to influence and inspire others.
Overall, "Maybe the Poet" is a call to pay attention to the voices of artists and creators, who offer important perspectives that may be overlooked or discounted by society. By listening to them, we can expand our understanding of the world and challenge the status quo.
Line by Line Meaning
maybe the poet is gay
Perhaps the poet is homosexual
but he'll be heard anyway
But his voice will still be heard and valued
maybe the poet is drugged
Perhaps the poet is under the influence of drugs
but he won't stay under the rug
But his voice and message cannot be hidden or ignored
maybe the voice of the spirit
Perhaps the poet's words come from a spiritual or divine source
in which case you'd better hear it
In that case, it is important to listen and pay attention
maybe he's a woman
Perhaps the poet is female
who can touch you where you're human
Who can connect with your humanity and emotions
male female slave or free
Regardless of gender, social status or freedom
peaceful or disorderly
Whether the poet's message is peaceful or disrupts the status quo
maybe you and he will not agree
Perhaps you may not share the poet's beliefs or opinions
but you need him to show you new ways to see
But you require their perspectives to broaden your own understanding
don't let the system fool you
Do not allow societal or political forces to deceive you
all it wants to do is rule you
Their main objective is to maintain control and dominance over individuals
pay attention to the poet
Take heed of the artist and their works
you need him and you know it
Their contributions are crucial to your growth and development
put him up against the wall
Subject them to punishment and confinement
shoot him up with pentothal
Administer a truth serum to extract information
shoot him up with lead
Use lethal force to eliminate them
you won't call back what's been said
Their words cannot be erased or undone
put him in the ground
Bury them and their legacy
but one day you'll look around
But someday you will realize
there'll be a face you don't know
There will be a new poet with a different perspective
voicing thoughts you've heard before
Expressing ideas that the previous poet also conveyed
but you need him to show you new ways to see
It is vital to have artists who challenge and expand our understanding
don't let the system fool you
Beware of those in power seeking to manipulate and control you
all it wants to do is rule you
Their ultimate goal is to dominate and subjugate individuals
pay attention to the poet
Heed the words and perspectives of the artist
you need him and you know it
Their contributions are necessary for personal growth and social progress
Contributed by Henry F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Pete Everett
One of my most favorite songs from Miami Vice.
Wolfy2112
I love Cockburn so much, I want Making Contact played at my funeral.
Charles Chaney
Saw him in OKC I believe in "85. Fergus Marsh on the stick and the person playing keyboards wore a Ferrari red jumpsuit. Great concert.
Daniel L. Dingeldein
genius
Vegeta Solo
Miami Vice <3
Jwbaxter85
Miami vice Season 2 episode "free verse"
NeoGeo12
Miami Vice