Bruce Cockburn: An Appreciation

It would be nice to say that while Bruce Cockburn is best known for his socially conscious songs, he also is a great guitarist. But unless you dwell at the left end of things — whether it be politics or the FM radio dial — it is unlikely that you’ve ever heard of the Canadian singer-songwriter.

That is a damned shame because there is not merely a currency to Cockburn’s songs but a wonderful poetic depth, such as in these lyrics from “Pacing the Cage”:

Sunset is an angel weeping
Holding out a bloody sword
No matter how I squint I cannot
Make out what it’s pointing toward
Sometimes you feel like you live too long
Days drip slowly on the page
You catch yourself
Pacing the cage

Cockburn, who was born in 1945, grew up on a farm near Pembroke, Ontario. His interest in music was sparked when he found a guitar in his grandmother’s attic that he played along to radio hits.

Please click here to read more at Kiko’s House and here for an index with links to other appreciations.