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."
Musical Friends
Bruce Cockburn Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They know what I need
Now I can sleep on anyone's floor without feeling cold
Inside or outside me
The closer we get the easier life be
Comes for each of us
We can sing songs and play at each other
In bottles or in pipes
And we can pass
On endings 'till the end
We can laugh
Me and my musical friends
Nobody's quite sure just where they're going
They'll find out soon enough
When they get there some sunny morning or windy night
If they can just keep moving
And we can pass
On endings 'till the end
We can laugh
Me and my musical friends are keeping me happy
They know what to do
Musical friends have many things to offer you
And you can be one too
(Who ever heard of drinking wine from a pipe anyway?)
The lyrics to Bruce Cockburn's song Musical Friends speak to the importance of friendship and the power of music in fostering connection between individuals. The singer expresses gratitude for the musical friends in their life who "know what [they] need" and make them happy. The singer uses the metaphor of being able to sleep "on anyone's floor without feeling cold" to illustrate how their friends provide them with a sense of warmth and security. The intimacy and trust among the friends is also implied in the line "The closer we get the easier life be / Comes for each of us." The friends are able to bond over their shared love of music and can enjoy each other's company over wine (or even from a pipe).
The second half of the song touches on themes of uncertainty and change. The friends are described as not quite sure where they're going in life, but willing to keep moving forward. The line "If they can just keep moving" suggests that as long as they remain open and adaptable to change, they will eventually find their way. The chorus repeats the idea that the friends can "pass on endings 'til the end" and find joy in each other's company. The song celebrates the powerful bond that can be forged between people through music and friendship, offering a message of hope and resilience in the face of uncertainty.
Line by Line Meaning
Musical friends are keeping me happy
The company of people with a common passion for music has a therapeutic effect on me and keeps me happy.
They know what I need
My musical friends understand my emotional and artistic needs, and are always there for me.
Now I can sleep on anyone's floor without feeling cold
Being around my musical friends has given me a sense of belonging and warmth, which enables me to be comfortable in any environment.
Inside or outside me
The warmth and sense of belonging that I feel is not just limited to physical spaces, but also extends to my inner being.
The closer we get the easier life be
The more I connect with my musical friends, the simpler my life seems to become, and the more I find joy and contentment in the journey.
Comes for each of us
This sense of ease and contentment is not limited to me alone, but is shared by my fellow musical friends as well.
We can sing songs and play at each other
We all love music, and our shared passion enables us to collaborate and create art together, inspiring each other in the process.
Over wine
Our musical collaborations are often accompanied by the convivial atmosphere of sharing a bottle of wine.
In bottles or in pipes
While drinking wine from a pipe may be a novel concept, the point is we don't limit ourselves to traditional modes of enjoyment, but are open to exploring new ways of experiencing life.
And we can pass
Together we can transcend the mundane aspects of life and focus on what really matters - our shared passion for music and artistic expression.
On endings 'till the end
We live for the moment and enjoy every step of our musical journey, not getting bogged down by the idea of reaching an end.
We can laugh
Our shared enjoyment of music and each other's company brings us unbridled joy and laughter, allowing us to be carefree and present in the moment.
Nobody's quite sure just where they're going
Life is full of uncertainties, and no one knows what the future holds for them as they pursue their passions.
They'll find out soon enough
Still, the journey itself is what brings fulfillment, and the destination will reveal itself in due course.
When they get there some sunny morning or windy night
Life will surprise us with unexpected twists and turns, and sometimes our destination might not be what we initially envisioned it to be.
If they can just keep moving
The key is to keep moving forward, no matter what obstacles and uncertainties come our way, and to remain committed to our passions and relationships.
And we can pass
We share a deep bond forged through our love for music and creativity, which helps us transcend the mundane aspects of life.
On endings 'till the end
We are committed to enjoying every moment of our musical journey together, and not getting caught up in the idea of reaching an end point.
We can laugh
Our shared love for music and each other's company brings us immense joy and happiness, and allows us to laugh through life's various challenges and uncertainties.
Me and my musical friends are keeping me happy
The bond I share with my musical friends is one of the most important sources of happiness and fulfillment in my life.
They know what to do
My musical friends understand my emotional and artistic needs, and are always there for me, providing support and inspiration.
Musical friends have many things to offer you
Anyone who shares our love for music and creativity is welcome to join our community, and experience the joy and fulfillment that comes with being part of something greater than oneself.
And you can be one too
We are an inclusive community, and welcome anyone who is passionate about music and artistic expression to join us and be a part of our musical family.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: BRUCE COCKBURN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind