Two classic Cockburn songs ready for worship services.
Yes, even with the prophetic "cuss word"..
Huge thanks to TMac-St. Strat for introducing me to the first song/psalm. I am guessing this is a song that will have a significant impact on the rest of my life
{Later note: i filmed a live version of it here}..The second song I have known for awhile, but need to spotlight it...partly because the highlighted lyrics need to be in the back of my mind (and front of my notes) as I preach...uh,live.
"STRANGE WATERS"
Huge thanks to TMac-St. Strat for introducing me to the first song/psalm. I am guessing this is a song that will have a significant impact on the rest of my life
{Later note: i filmed a live version of it here}..The second song I have known for awhile, but need to spotlight it...partly because the highlighted lyrics need to be in the back of my mind (and front of my notes) as I preach...uh,live.
"STRANGE WATERS"
(Bruce Cockburn)
I've seen a high cairn kissed by holy wind
Seen a mirror pool cut by golden fins
Seen alleys where they hide the truth of cities
The mad whose blessing you must accept without pity
I've stood in airports guarded glass and chrome
Walked rifled roads and landmined loam
Seen a forest in flames right down to the road
Burned in love till I've seen my heart explode
You've been leading me
Beside strange waters
Across the concrete fields of man
Sun ray 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 loose my grip, will I take flight?
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 loose my grip, will I take flight?
Susan Adams Kauffman: "Strange Waters" is one of your songs that is rich in autobiographical detail. You cite the various observations you've made, places you've been. Then, as tension builds, you passionately state that "everything is bullshit but the open hand." What is this open-handedness you're referring to?
BC: I could have said open heart. It's openness, period, the willingess to share what you have and to accept what others are willing to share with you, and what God or the universe is willing to share with you, and you back. Defensiveness or defendedness can become an impediment to love, obviously. Since it's love that makes the world go 'round, defendedness keeps the world from going 'round.
-from "Fire in an Open Hand" by Susan Adams Kauffman, The Other Side magazine, November/December 1999
----
BURDEN OF THE ANGEL/BEAST
I've seen a high cairn kissed by holy wind
Seen a mirror pool cut by golden fins
Seen alleys where they hide the truth of cities
The mad whose blessing you must accept without pity
I've stood in airports guarded glass and chrome
Walked rifled roads and landmined loam
Seen a forest in flames right down to the road
Burned in love till I've seen my heart explode
You've been leading me
Beside strange waters
Across the concrete fields of man
Sun ray 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 loose my grip, will I take flight?
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 loose my grip, will I take flight?
Susan Adams Kauffman: "Strange Waters" is one of your songs that is rich in autobiographical detail. You cite the various observations you've made, places you've been. Then, as tension builds, you passionately state that "everything is bullshit but the open hand." What is this open-handedness you're referring to?
BC: I could have said open heart. It's openness, period, the willingess to share what you have and to accept what others are willing to share with you, and what God or the universe is willing to share with you, and you back. Defensiveness or defendedness can become an impediment to love, obviously. Since it's love that makes the world go 'round, defendedness keeps the world from going 'round.
-from "Fire in an Open Hand" by Susan Adams Kauffman, The Other Side magazine, November/December 1999
----
BURDEN OF THE ANGEL/BEAST
(Bruce Cockburn)
A fan video below, not an official Cockburn video, but you can hear the song:
A fan video below, not an official Cockburn video, but you can hear the song:
From the lying mirror to the movement of stars
Everybody's looking for who they are
Those who know don't have the words to tell
And the ones with the words don't know too well
CHORUS:
Could be the famine
Could be the
feast
Could be the pusher
Could be the priest
Always ourselves we love the least
That's the burden of the angel/beast
Birds of paradise -- birds of prey
Here tomorrow, gone today
Cross my forehead, cross my palm
Don't cross me or I'll do you harm
[Chorus]
We go crying, we come laughing
Never understand the time we're passing
Kill for money, die for love
Whatever was God thinking of?
(my emphasis in bold)
of course one must pay close attention to the distinction between the words lose and loose in reference to one's grip in the former song. This distinction is made even more difficult by the almost pandemic misspelling of the word lose.
ReplyDeleteDon
Great point, Guru.
ReplyDeleteI pasted in the lyrics from a fairly official site.Looks like it is supposed to be "loose," Though that is not the obvious choice. Talk about that, Guruman.