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."
To Raise The Morning Star
Bruce Cockburn Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
like the light in a lover's eyes
rising from the hearts of the sleepers all around
all those dreamers trying to light the sky
burning -- all night long
burning -- at the gates of dawn
singing -- near and far
rising like lightning in the pregnant air
it's electric -- i can feel its might
i can feel it crackling in my nails and hair --
makes me feel like i'm dancing on feet of light
burning -- all night long
burning -- at the gates of dawn
singing -- near and far
singing -- to raise the morning star
singing for the yellow and the brown and the black
for the red and the white people, too
dovetailing strong points with the things we lack
singing for the people like me and you
burning -- all night long
burning -- at the gates of dawn
singing -- near and far
singing -- to raise the morning star
"To Raise the Morning Star" is a song by Canadian singer-songwriter Bruce Cockburn. The song discusses the concept of hope and unity, and how we can come together, regardless of our differences, to create a better future. The opening verse describes a sense of light and energy rising from a sleeping town and the dreams and aspirations of the people within it. Cockburn's use of light imagery throughout the song reinforces this idea of hope and illumination, suggesting that we can overcome darkness and ignorance by coming together and working towards a common goal.
The chorus, "burning all night long, burning at the gates of dawn, singing near and far, singing to raise the morning star," emphasizes the idea of perseverance and dedication. The repetition of "burning" creates a sense of urgency, and the imagery of the "morning star" represents a new beginning and the possibility of redemption. Cockburn urges us to keep singing and spreading the message of hope, even when things seem dark and difficult.
The final verse highlights the song's message of unity, emphasizing that we should come together without regard to race or ethnicity, pointing out that people of every color can find common ground and work towards a better future.
Overall, "To Raise the Morning Star" is a hopeful and inspiring song that urges us to come together and work towards a better future, reminding us that even in the darkest times, there is always hope.
Line by Line Meaning
rising like lightspill from this sleeping town
Emerging gradually like the spread of light from a quiet town that is still asleep.
like the light in a lover's eyes
Like the brightness that shines in the eyes of a lover with feelings of passion and affection.
rising from the hearts of the sleepers all around
Coming up from the depths and emotions of everyone who is still asleep in the surrounding area.
all those dreamers trying to light the sky
All the people who dream big and aim to make their mark in the world by bringing brightness to the darkness.
burning -- all night long
Continuous and blazing with an intense light throughout the entire night.
burning -- at the gates of dawn
Shining brightly just as dawn is approaching, representing a new start and new opportunities.
singing -- near and far
Voicing their melodies and harmonies loudly and far and wide, to reach everyone regardless of distance.
singing -- to raise the morning star
Singing to bring about the emergence of a new and brighter hope for the future, represented by the morning star.
rising like lightning in the pregnant air
Spiralling upwards with a burst of energy that fills the atmosphere with electrical power.
it's electric -- i can feel its might
This energy is electric, and the power of it can be felt intensely, with implications of awe and wonder.
i can feel it crackling in my nails and hair --
Feeling this charged energy in every fibre of your being, with an effect as if your hair is standing on end.
makes me feel like i'm dancing on feet of light
This sensation feels like a joyful dance, weightlessly moving across the surface of the earth, defying gravity.
singing for the yellow and the brown and the black
Celebrating diversity, and singing for everyone regardless of their skin colour, race or ethnicity.
for the red and the white people, too
Including and honouring people who are red and white, such as indigenous and Caucasian people, respectively.
dovetailing strong points with the things we lack
Uniting strengths with weaknesses, so that we can use those strengths to make up for what we lack, and rise above the challenges that we face.
singing for the people like me and you
Singing for all individuals to unite and work together, to take meaningful action and improve their situation.
Contributed by Amelia E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
stan kenosky
Santa Cruz, Ca. 1984.....Those were some great times. This guy, truly special with a guitar..Him and Joni Mitchell, true Canadian artists. Thank God I remember it like it was yesterday. I am blessed.
DJ Reid
Brilliant song, one of my favourites.
Lou Cat
This guy might have a future!lol
Carl McNamara
what a song!
Thomas McIntosh
Driving an 18 wheeler westbound on I-40 the weekend of the OKC bombing. Rolling into Flagstaff Arizona, Dawn's red-orange sun peaking over the cloudless horizon behind me. To Raise the Morning Star shouting from the speakers. And me. Ecstatic to be alive.
ComboverSoul tig
Go 80s production!
David Garris
Excellent
William Cross
(C) 1984 Diplomat Records LLC. A Universal Music Group. All rights reserved.
Robert Ettinger
where did this album come from...
Barry Cooke
In his autobiography Ch 11, he describes a trip to Guatemala in 1983 as inspirations for Rocket Launcher and Dust & Diesel. Morningstar was inspired by Aboriginal Australian morning singing while looking over Toronto's night sky.