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."
Starwheel
Bruce Cockburn Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You're bound to move on and so am I
On this world we've had time to burn --
how come nobody ever seems to learn?
See how the starwheel turns.
Crystal drift on the whistling wind --
Constant change is the space we're in
But nothing's worth it that you can pin down --
See how the starwheel turns.
Don't go playing no shell game with God --
Only Satan's going to give you odds
We're given love and love must be returned --
That's all the bearings that you need to learn
See how the starwheel turns.
In "Starwheel," Bruce Cockburn contemplates the nature of time and our place in the universe. The chorus implores the listener to "See how the starwheel turns," acknowledging the endless cycle of life and the movement of celestial bodies in the night sky. The opening lines of the song mention the constellation Orion, and how it will continue to move across the sky despite our own transitions and changes.
The second verse highlights the concept of constant change, like a crystal drifting on the wind. This change is a natural part of life and cannot be calculated with any tangible device, be it a slide rule or a golden crown. The impossibility of pinning down change is reinforced by the chorus, reminding the listener to observe and acknowledge the turning of the starwheel.
Finally, Cockburn cautions against trying to manipulate or deceive God with a "shell game," a metaphor for attempting to cheat the natural order of things. Instead, he suggests that the key to life is love and the need to return it when given. The starwheel imagery serves as a reminder that we are all just small pieces of a larger, endless cycle.
Line by Line Meaning
Orion's high in the south-west sky --
The constellation Orion is visible in the southwestern sky, indicating the passage of time.
You're bound to move on and so am I
Change is inevitable and both the singer and the listener will experience it.
On this world we've had time to burn --
Humanity has had plenty of time to live and make mistakes.
how come nobody ever seems to learn?
Despite the passage of time and opportunity for learning, humanity still seems to repeat its mistakes.
See how the starwheel turns.
The ongoing changes in the world are as consistent as the turning of stars in the sky.
Crystal drift on the whistling wind --
The image of drifting crystals on the wind conveys the constant, fluid nature of life.
Constant change is the space we're in
Change is a fundamental aspect of existence.
You may use a slide rule or a golden crown
No matter what tools or status one possesses, they cannot control the fluidity of existence.
But nothing's worth it that you can pin down --
Anything that can be grasped or controlled is not truly valuable in the grand scheme.
See how the starwheel turns.
Once again, the unceasing changes in the world are emphasized.
Don't go playing no shell game with God --
One should not deceive or manipulate a higher power.
Only Satan's going to give you odds
Attempting to play power games with the divine will ultimately lead to negative consequences.
We're given love and love must be returned --
Humanity has been given the capacity to love and it is vital to share that love with others.
That's all the bearings that you need to learn
The importance of love is a fundamental lesson in life.
See how the starwheel turns.
Once again, the constant, ever-turning nature of existence is highlighted.
Contributed by Lauren H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
mawsjumbler
Thanks So Much for posting...I LOVE this song!
bruce Cockburn
Hi
thanks for watching and commenting on my YouTube channel God bless you🤗🌞 hope you don’t stop with your love and support❤️👑✏✒✏kindly drop your email address or WhatsApp contact below for more details about my upcoming album🎊 , 💫Tour or Concert🎄 🎹🎙🎷🎷🎷🎤🎻🥁🎚💛...🎷🎷🎷✨.... 💯💯💯
3340steve
Early example of Cockburn the master artist. Great players in his band .
bruce Cockburn
Hi
thanks for watching and commenting on my YouTube channel God bless you🤗🌞 hope you don’t stop with your love and support❤️👑✏✒✏kindly drop your email address or WhatsApp contact below for more details about my upcoming album🎊 , 💫Tour or Concert🎄 🎹🎙🎷🎷🎷🎤🎻🥁🎚💛...🎷🎷🎷✨.... 💯💯💯
George Leonard
LOVE!!!
bruce Cockburn
Hi
thanks for watching and commenting on my YouTube channel God bless you🤗🌞 hope you don’t stop with your love and support❤️👑✏✒✏kindly drop your email address or WhatsApp contact below for more details about my upcoming album🎊 , 💫Tour or Concert🎄 🎹🎙🎷🎷🎷🎤🎻🥁🎚💛...🎷🎷🎷✨.... 💯💯💯