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."
Soul Of A Man
Bruce Cockburn Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Please answer if you can
Is there anybody's children can tell me
What is the soul of a man?
Won't somebody tell me?
Answer if you can
Won't somebody tell me
I've travelled different countries
Travelled to the furthest lands
Couldn't find nobody could tell me
What is the soul of a man
Won't somebody tell me?
Answer if you can
Won't somebody tell me
Tell me what is the soul of a man?
I saw a crowd stand talking
I just came up in time
Was teaching the lawyers and the doctors
That a man ain't nothing but his mind
Won't somebody tell me?
Answer if you can
Won't somebody tell me
Tell me what is the soul of a man?
I read the Bible often
I try to read it right
As far as I can understand
It's nothing but a burning light
Won't somebody tell me?
Answer if you can
Won't somebody tell me
Tell me what is the soul of a man?
When Christ taught in the temple
The people all stood amazed
Was teaching the lawyers and the doctors
How to raise a man from the grave
Won't somebody tell me?
Answer if you can
Won't somebody tell me
Tell me what is the soul of a man?
The lyrics of Bruce Cockburn's song "Soul Of A Man" address a fundamental question about the essence of human beings – what is the soul of a man? The singer is in search of an answer and has travelled to different countries and lands trying to find it, but to no avail. He has read the Bible and other teachings, but still struggles to understand the concept of the soul. The lyrics suggest that even lawyers, doctors, and other educated people, who are supposed to have all the answers, don't know what the soul is.
The lyrics imply that there is no clear-cut answer to this question. The singer is left pondering and seeking answers in different ways. However, the reference to Christ teaching in the temple is perhaps the most telling. It suggests that the soul of a man may be related to a higher power, something beyond the mundane material world. The lyrics seem to suggest that understanding the soul of man may require a spiritual awakening or enlightenment that goes beyond worldly knowledge.
Overall, "Soul Of A Man" is a soul-searching song about the essence of human beings. It explores the mystery of the soul and the quest for understanding it, suggesting that it may require a deeper level of insight and spiritual awareness.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm going to ask the question
I am about to pose a query
Please answer if you can
Kindly provide a response if you are able to
Is there anybody's children can tell me
Do the offspring of anyone possess the knowledge to inform me
What is the soul of a man?
What is the essence or core of a human being?
Won't somebody tell me?
Is there no one who can answer me?
Answer if you can
If possible, please respond
I've travelled different countries
I have journeyed to various nations
Travelled to the furthest lands
Visited the most remote regions
Couldn't find nobody could tell me
Encountered no individual who possessed the answer
What is the soul of a man
What is the fundamental nature of a human's existence?
I saw a crowd stand talking
I observed a gathering engaged in conversation
I just came up in time
Arrived at the opportune moment
Was teaching the lawyers and the doctors
Educating legal and medicinal professionals
That a man ain't nothing but his mind
Humans are no more than their intellect
I read the Bible often
Frequently perused religious scripture
I try to read it right
Attempted to comprehend it correctly
As far as I can understand
To my best knowledge
It's nothing but a burning light
It represents only a glowing illumination
When Christ taught in the temple
During Jesus' teachings in the place of worship
The people all stood amazed
The observers were astounded
Was teaching the lawyers and the doctors
Was instructing legal and medicinal professionals
How to raise a man from the grave
Method of resurrecting an individual
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Bruce Cockburn
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
lmwilliamsjr1
I was fortunate enough to see him on this tour & I have always loved his take on this Blind Willie Johnson tune
Katherine Da Silva
I remember this song ..it's good for people who don't see beyond the material.. we all need to.. today in particular..
Donato Romeo
non riesco a capire,un disco cosi bello molto poco conosciuto.........???!???
roberto cerlesi
non da me me, eh eh... l'ho consumato in macchina negli anni 90
Martin Kulhaj
*
dh strother
Shameful egocentric take on this unmercifully powerful tune