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."
Nicaragua
Bruce Cockburn Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
On the cliff the U.S. Embassy
Frowns out over Managua like Dracula's tower.
The kid who guards Fonseca's tomb
Cradles a beat-up submachine gun --
At age fifteen he's a veteran of four years of war
Proud to pay his dues
He knows who turns the screws
Blue lagoon and flowering trees --
Bullet-packed masaya streets
Full of the ghosts of the heroes of Monimbo
Women of the town laundry
Work and gossip and laugh at me --
They don't believe I'll ever send them the pictures I took.
For every scar on a wall
There's a hole in someone's heart
Where a loved one's memory lives
In the flash of this moment
You're the best of what we are --
Don't let them stop you now
Nicaragua
Sandino in his tom mix hat
Gazes from billboards and coins
"Sandino vive en la lucha por la paz"
Sandino of the shining dream
Who stood up to the U.S. marines --
Now Washington panics at U2 shots of "Cuban-style" latrines
In the flash of this moment
You're the best of what we are --
Don't let them stop you now
Nicaragua
The song "Nicaragua" by Bruce Cockburn describes his personal experience in Nicaragua during the 1980s, a time when the country was in the midst of a civil war between the Sandinista government (supported by leftist groups) and the Contras (supported by the US government). The song portrays a vivid picture of the country, from the contrast between the smell of breakfast and the sight of the US Embassy overlooking the city, to the image of a young boy guarding a tomb, armed with a gun and scarred by years of war. The beauty of the landscape is juxtaposed against the reality of the bullet-packed streets and the memories of the loved ones lost.
Cockburn's lyrics suggest a strong sense of admiration and support for the Nicaraguan people, who are presented as resilient and determined in the face of adversity. The references to Sandino, a national hero who led a rebellion against US intervention in the 1920s and 30s, show that the country was still fighting against imperialism and seeking to assert its independence. The song is a plea to not let the struggles of the Nicaraguan people go unnoticed or unsupported, as they fight for their right to self-determination and freedom.
Line by Line Meaning
Breakfast woodsmoke on the breeze
The scent of breakfast cooking over a fire wafts through the air.
On the cliff the U.S. Embassy
The United States embassy overlooks the city from high up on a cliff.
Frowns out over Managua like Dracula's tower.
The embassy's menacing presence is likened to that of a vampire's castle.
The kid who guards Fonseca's tomb
A young boy is responsible for guarding the tomb of a revolutionary leader.
Cradles a beat-up submachine gun --
He holds a heavily used firearm in his arms.
At age fifteen he's a veteran of four years of war
Despite being just a teenager, the boy has already fought in four years of battle.
Proud to pay his dues
The boy feels a sense of honor in fulfilling his responsibilities.
He knows who turns the screws
He is well aware of who the ultimate authorities in power are.
Baby face and old man's eyes
He looks young in appearance, but his eyes suggest that he has experienced more than most his age.
Blue lagoon and flowering trees --
A scenic and serene place featuring colorful foliage and water.
Bullet-packed masaya streets
The streets of Masaya are littered with bullet holes.
Full of the ghosts of the heroes of Monimbo
The area is rich in the history of the brave souls who once lived there.
Women of the town laundry
Local women doing their laundry together.
Work and gossip and laugh at me --
As an outsider, the women find it amusing that the singer is taking photographs of them.
They don't believe I'll ever send them the pictures I took.
The women are skeptical that the singer will actually follow through on his promise to send them the pictures.
For every scar on a wall
Every damaged building stands as a testament to the violence that has occurred.
There's a hole in someone's heart
The losses from that violence has left emotional scars on the community.
Where a loved one's memory lives
The memories of those who have been killed still live on in the hearts of their loved ones.
In the flash of this moment
In this brief moment in time.
You're the best of what we are --
The artist is highly impressed with the character and resilience of Nicaraguans.
Don't let them stop you now
Don't let anyone hold you back from pursuing your goals and ideals.
Nicaragua
The artist is addressing the Nicaraguan people as a collective.
Sandino in his tom mix hat
A man named Sandino who wears a particular style of hat.
Gazes from billboards and coins
His image is prominently displayed in public spaces.
"Sandino vive en la lucha por la paz"
"Sandino lives in the struggle for peace" - a quote associated with the image.
Sandino of the shining dream
Sandino was a symbol of a brighter future for Nicaragua.
Who stood up to the U.S. marines --
He was a fearless opponent of American military intervention.
Now Washington panics at U2 shots of "Cuban-style" latrines
The US government is worried about being exposed for its dirty deeds.
Contributed by Elizabeth N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Liz S
One of my very fav Bruce song
samsquanch1996
This, Lovers in a Dangerous Time, and Dust and Diesel are the best songs on this album imo!
cal native
This song has added poignance given recent events; the actors have changed, but not the circumstance.
Tony Reilley
As part of a Witness for Peace delegation to Nicaragua in 1987, we visited a dairy co-op in the Chontales province that had recently been firebombed by Contra terrorists during a night-time raid. I played this song on my Walkman for the children. Three days I will never forget, and which I often revisit in my mind for inspiration and hope. Thank you, Bruce.
emmett grogan
My wife and I were Brigadistas in 1984, there for the 5th anniversary of the revolution. Like the movie "The Year of Living Dangerously," but for us it was 5 weeks. Esteli, Masaya, Granada, and Managua. I was helping Oxfam USA, and shooting photos the whole time with my Nikon. Never felt more alive, or around people who were more alive. Ortega has done what he has to in order to maintain independence. Sandino Vive, my brother.
Ed Green
Perfection!
SCDS
I love this song. In a recent interview, Bruce said he didn't think the US was worse than any other country in terms of its foreign policy. He lives in the States now, has an American wife and child.
D B
23 comments?! This album was huge.
Anon Frank
Also search the highest decorated American General Smedly Butler's speech and book written in 1937 in his retirement : " War is a Racket : I went to war for corporations"
Charles Campbell
GreaT song from 1984!