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."
Strange Waters
Bruce Cockburn Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Seen a mirror pool cut by golden fins,
Seen alleys where they hide the truth of cities,
The matter's blessing you must accept without pity.
I've been in airports, guarded glass and chrome
Walked rifled roads and landmined loam,
Seen a forest in flames right down to the road,
You've been leading me beside strange waters,
Across the concrete fields of man.
Sunray, like a camera, pans.
Some will run and some will stand,
Everything is bullshit but the open hand.
You've been leading me beside strange waters,
Streams of beautiful lights in the night.
But where is my pastureland in these dark valleys?
If I lose my grip, will I take flight.
The lyrics of Bruce Cockburn's "Strange Waters" are open to interpretation, but the song seems to be about the strange and sometimes surreal experiences of life, and the need to find a connection to something real in the midst of it all. The opening lines describe the natural beauty of a cairn and a pool, juxtaposed with the hidden truths of city alleys. Cockburn seems to be saying that we must accept both the beauty and the darkness of life without judgment or pity.
The second verse takes a darker turn, describing the violence and destruction that can also be found in the world. Cockburn references airports and landmines, and describes seeing a forest on fire. But in the midst of this destruction, there is also love that can cause our hearts to explode with passion.
The chorus of the song talks about being led beside strange waters and seeing beautiful lights in the night. Cockburn seems to be acknowledging that life can be mysterious and difficult to understand, but he also suggests that there is something beyond the surface level of things that we can connect with. He talks about the possibility of flight, suggesting that we can rise above the chaos of life and find our own pastoral, peaceful place.
Overall, "Strange Waters" is a haunting and introspective song about the complexities of life and the search for meaning and connection. The vivid descriptions of natural beauty and human brutality create a vivid contrast that underscores the theme of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
I've seen a high cairn kissed by holy winds,
I have witnessed a tall pile of stones, embraced by sacred gusts of air.
Seen a mirror pool cut by golden fins,
I have observed a reflective body of water separated by shining fish.
Seen alleys where they hide the truth of cities,
I have explored narrow streets where cities conceal their real nature.
The matter's blessing you must accept without pity.
You must embrace the material world's gifts without feeling compassion.
I've been in airports, guarded glass and chrome
I have visited airports, enclosed by secure glass and metal structures.
Walked rifled roads and landmined loam,
I have trodden on paths marked by violence and explosive soil.
Seen a forest in flames right down to the road,
I have witnessed trees ablaze close to the thoroughfare.
Burned in love 'till I've seen my heart explode.
I have experienced intense passion that made my heart burst.
You've been leading me beside strange waters,
You have guided me along unfamiliar rivers.
Across the concrete fields of man.
Through urban areas made of hardened human-made materials.
Sunray, like a camera, pans.
Light beams move like a camera capturing the scene.
Some will run and some will stand,
People will react differently to these surroundings.
Everything is bullshit but the open hand.
Everything appears meaningless except for generosity.
Streams of beautiful lights in the night.
Flows of resplendent illumination during the night.
But where is my pastureland in these dark valleys?
However, where is the fertile land that I belong to in these obscure ravines?
If I lose my grip, will I take flight.
If I lose my stability, will I soar away.
Lyrics © CARLIN AMERICA INC
Written by: BRUCE COCKBURN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Harold Morozko
Heart shattering, gut wrenching words and the music strips you right to the bone. We all walk through these strange waters. "Everything is bullshit but the open hand!"
Siiri Cressey
I am listening to this because I saw the title Strange Waters in a dream.
Harold Morozko
My dreams are realer than the life I walk through. What a long strange trip it is!
Siiri Cressey
@George Sawtooth Who knows. I don't remember any of it any more.
George Sawtooth
Probably a message from on high....God speaks to us in dreams alot.