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."
Silent Night
Bruce Cockburn Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Silent night Holy night Shepherds quake at the sight Glories spring from heaven above Heavenly hosts sing Hallelua Christ the saviour is born Christ the saviour is born
Silent night Holy night Son of god Love's pure light Radiant beams from thy holy face Bring the God of redeeming grace Jesus lord at thy birth Jesus lord at thy birth
The lyrics of Bruce Cockburn's version of "Silent Night" closely resemble the traditional version of the song. The song begins with the well-known opening lines "Silent night, holy night / All is calm, all is bright / Round yon virgin mother and child / Holy infant so tender and mild / Sleep in heavenly peace". These lyrics evoke a peaceful and sacred scene, where a mother and her child are surrounded by calmness and serenity.
In the following verse, the traditional storyline of the shepherds visiting Jesus in his manger is introduced: "Silent night, holy night / Shepherds quake at the sight / Glories stream from heaven afar / Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia / Christ the Savior is born". The shepherds' reaction to the sight of the newborn Messiah is emphasized, as well as the proclamation of his birth by angels.
The final verse brings the focus back to Jesus and highlights his divine nature: "Silent night, holy night / Son of God, loves pure light / Radiant beams from thy holy face / With the dawn of redeeming grace / Jesus Lord at Thy birth". These lyrics emphasize the significance of Jesus' birth, which brings redemption and light to the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Silent night Holy night
The night is peaceful and holy
All is calm All is bright
Everything is peaceful and illuminated
Round yon virgin mother and child
The mother and child are surrounded by a peaceful aura
Holy infant, so tender and mild
The baby is pure and innocent
Sleep in heavenly peace Sleep in heavenly peace
Rest in the peacefulness of heaven
Shepherds quake at the sight
The shepherds are frightened by what they see
Glories spring from heaven above
Heavenly beings are revealing their glory
Heavenly hosts sing Hallelua
Angels are praising the Lord
Christ the saviour is born Christ the saviour is born
The Messiah has been born
Son of god Love's pure light
The baby is the Son of God, filled with love and purity
Radiant beams from thy holy face
Holy light shines from the baby's face
Bring the God of redeeming grace
The baby brings the grace of redemption
Jesus lord at thy birth Jesus lord at thy birth
Jesus was born and is the Lord
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: FRANZ XAVER GRUBER, WILLIAM GURNEY ROTHERY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind