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."
Put It In Your Heart
Bruce Cockburn Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
filled up with feelings I can't name
Images of life appear --
regret and anger, love and fear
Dark things drift across the screen
of mine behind whose veil are seen
love's ferocious eyes, and clear
the words come flying to my ear
Put it in your heart
Terrible deeds done in the name
of tunnel vision and fear of change
surely are expressions of
a soul that's turned its back on love
All the sirens all the tongues
The song of air in every lung
Heaven's perfect alchemy
put me with you and you with me
Come on -- put that in your heart
Come on, put it in your heart
All the sirens all the tongues
The song of air in every lung
Heaven's perfect alchemy
Put me with you and you with me
Come on, put it in your heart
Come on, put it in your heart
The lyrics to Bruce Cockburn's "Put It In Your Heart" are filled with images of various emotions and experiences that the singer is trying to grapple with. The first verse begins with a scene of the singer staring into flames, filled with unnamed feelings that are reflected back to them in the form of regret, anger, love, and fear. There is a sense of darkness looming in the background, hinted at by the "dark things" that drift across the singer's mind. Despite the somber tone of the imagery, there is also a sense of clarity that emerges, as "love's ferocious eyes" become visible and clear words "fly" to the singer's ear, urging them to "Go on -- put it in your heart."
The second verse takes on a more political tone, as the singer reflects on the destructive actions taken by individuals and societies who operate out of a "tunnel vision and fear of change" rather than a commitment to love. The sirens and tongues mentioned here could refer to the voices of authority figures, warning of danger and encouraging conformity, while the "song of air" in every lung represents the collective breaths of all individuals. The last two lines of this verse offer a counterpoint to the negativity that comes before it, indicating that the "perfect alchemy" of the universe has somehow brought the singer together with someone else, creating a sense of hope and connection that transcends the divisive forces of fear and hatred.
Overall, "Put It In Your Heart" seems to be a call to action, urging listeners to take the emotions and ideas presented in the lyrics and internalize them as a way of combating some of the more negative forces at work in the world. By putting love, connection, and hope into their hearts in the face of fear and uncertainty, the singer suggests that individuals can create their own sense of alchemy, transforming the world around them in positive ways.
Line by Line Meaning
As I stare into the flames
While I am fixated on the flames, I feel overwhelmed with emotions that I cannot express.
filled up with feelings I can't name
I have a lot of confused and unidentifiable emotions within me at this moment.
Images of life appear --
Various scenes from life cross my mind during this introspective moment.
regret and anger, love and fear
Amongst the flashes of events, I am reminded of experiences that have brought on emotions like regret, anger, love, and fear.
Dark things drift across the screen
Disturbing memories surface in my mind.
of mine behind whose veil are seen
These memories are from a place that is predominantly hidden from the outside world.
love's ferocious eyes, and clear
Amidst these memories, I remember times of intense love and appreciation for others.
the words come flying to my ear
I hear words being said during these moments of contemplation.
Go on -- put it in your heart --
I implore you to store these experiences and emotions within your heart.
Put it in your heart
Store these emotions and experiences within your innermost self.
Terrible deeds done in the name
Some awful acts are perpetrated under the guise of a ‘good cause.’
of tunnel vision and fear of change
These deeds are generally a result of being overly focused and fearful of changes.
surely are expressions of
It is a representation of a person’s innermost soul.
a soul that's turned its back on love
It is a sign of a person who has negated love and compassion within themselves.
All the sirens all the tongues
Despite all the noise and distractions around us,
The song of air in every lung
We are all connected by the very air that we breathe.
Heaven's perfect alchemy
This unified connection is the perfect chemistry and balance of the universe.
put me with you and you with me
Thus, you and I are not separate, but intertwined and connected to each other in our shared humanity.
Come on -- put that in your heart
I urge you to consider this interconnectedness and unity and assimilate it within your heart.
Come on, put it in your heart
Keep this understanding within you to live a life of love and compassion towards all.
All the sirens all the tongues
Despite the commotion and rhetoric around us,
The song of air in every lung
We share our breath and are united through it.
Heaven's perfect alchemy
This unity is part of the universe's brilliant chemistry.
Put me with you and you with me
In reality, you and I are connected and have never been apart.
Come on -- put that in your heart
I encourage you to hold onto this truth and make it an integral part of your being.
Come on, put it in your heart
Do not let the illusion of separation cloud your vision and instead embrace the truth of shared humanity.
Contributed by Dominic G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
hokulealinda
LYRICS : As I Stare into the flame
Filled up with feelings I can't name
Images of life appear
Regret and anger, love and fear
Dark things drift across the screen
Of mind behind whose veil are seen
Loves ferocious eyes, and clear
The words come flying to my ear
Go on -- put it in your heart
Put it in your heart
Terrible deeds done in the name
Of tunnel vision and fear of change
Surely are expressions of
A soul that's turned it's back on love
All the sirens all the tongues
The song of air in every lung
Heavens perfect alchemy
Put me with you and you with me
Come on -- put that in your heart
Come on put it in your heart
All the sirens all the tongues
The song of air in every lung
Heavens perfect alchemy
Put me with you and you with me
Come on put it in your heart
Come on put it in your heart
Luis Restuccia
How is it possible that Bruce Cockburn isn't well enough recognized. I've been following him since the 70s! He's so great... well, I guess I don't understand the world... at all!
Michael Motta
@Bob Chisholm Yeah I mean take Noam Chomsky -- he's the most cited scholar in the world but most Americans have no clue who he is!
Bob Chisholm
@Michael Motta I totally agree anyone who disrupts the system will be shunned for their beliefs and the message they are trying to get out to the masses
Wes Casey
Well, nothing comes without some kind of fight, so he’s still kickin’ at the darkness till it bleeds daylight…and I agree, how come he isn’t one of the most lauded and applauded?
Marc Salyer
McDonald's sells 75 burgers a second. Vegetables rot in the field. People prefer crap.
Oreius
Ppl have no idea what good deep, spritual music is anymore.......men like him arent reaching the empty youth and adults.....Not saying that ppl are all like that, but most are, music isnt just entertainment, its beyond that, its what opens the door to the soul and heart........What are u supposed to get from a 30 yr old today talking about picking up 18 yr olds at a club........nothing.......Put that in your heart.........
hokulealinda
LYRICS : As I Stare into the flame
Filled up with feelings I can't name
Images of life appear
Regret and anger, love and fear
Dark things drift across the screen
Of mind behind whose veil are seen
Loves ferocious eyes, and clear
The words come flying to my ear
Go on -- put it in your heart
Put it in your heart
Terrible deeds done in the name
Of tunnel vision and fear of change
Surely are expressions of
A soul that's turned it's back on love
All the sirens all the tongues
The song of air in every lung
Heavens perfect alchemy
Put me with you and you with me
Come on -- put that in your heart
Come on put it in your heart
All the sirens all the tongues
The song of air in every lung
Heavens perfect alchemy
Put me with you and you with me
Come on put it in your heart
Come on put it in your heart
Denis Fogo
My favorite living Canadian prophet.
bruce Cockburn
Hi
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Oreius
He truly is...........