The music I most enjoyed while driving along the coast of Maine on our journey last week. . . .
Bruce Cockburn's great 1976 album, In the Falling Dark. This is the title cut.
and the lights lie tumbled out like gems
the moon is nothing but a toothless grin
floating out on the evening wind
the smell of sweat and lube oil pervades the night
and the rush of life in flight at the speed of light
a million footsteps whispering
a guitar sounds -- some voices sing
smoke on the breeze -- eyes that sting
far in the east a yellow cloud bank climbs
stretching away to be part of tomorrow's time.
earthbound while everything expands
so many grains of sand
slipping from hand to hand
catching the light and falling into dark
the world fades out like an overheard remark
in the falling dark.
light pours from a million radiant lives
off of kids and dogs and the hard-shelled husbands and wives
all that glory shining around and we're all caught taking a dive
and all the beasts of the hills around shout, "such a waste!
don't you know that from the first to the last we're all one in the gift of Grace!"
(Ottawa 9/3/76)
Tuesday, July 07, 2009
Bruce Cockburn on a Coastal Road in Maine
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5 comments:
Nice song -- perfect for a coastal drive or (in my case) as the rain begins to fall outside.
I know next to nothing about Bruce Cockburn, except that grade school must have have brutal for him, given that surname.
Bruce has to be one of the most underrated performers ever. I've never understood why he remains such an unknown in this country. His lyrics are quite poetic and wonderfully crafted, his subject matter always probing and highly intelligent, he's a highly accomplished guitarist, and he can navigate seamlessly between rock, folk, jazz and blues to create his own beautiful and distinctive sound. Given your re-discovered mystical bent and your politics, I would strongly suggest exploring his work, because few are able to incorporate spirituality and politics as well as he has in his career.
In the Falling Dark would be an excellent start. Or Joy will Find a Way. Or Dancing in the Dragon's Jaws. Really, there are several 5-star albums.
Nice. I've never heard him before.
Crystal,
You should check him out. Just guessing from the music you've posted, but I think you would like his earlier work.
Nice. Do I dare to ask what you were listening to when you drove through Foxboro?
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