Guest post by Don Berg: Evolution of Bruce Cockburn lyrics part 3: "Up on the Hillside"

by Don Berg:

Up on the Hillside (1972) Bruce is obviously on the path to Christianity here. There is an inevitability to this song. He hears the call of the cross, but like Jonah, he sees the danger of that path. Though for Jonah the danger in the end was that he was unable to have the forgiveness of God.

Up on the hillside you can see the cross shine
Out in the alley hear the hungry dog whine
You and I, friend, sit waiting for a sign
See how the sunset makes the lake look like wine

Over the mountain I can hear myself called
I want to come running but my window's too small
The cliffs are so high and I might fall
What were you saying? -- oh, it's nothing at all

Yes, the world's in convulsions and the weather is fine
Buicks get bigger and five cents costs a dime
I must get going, you know, there's not much time
The road is waiting and I'm running out of rhyme
Up on the hillside, see how the cross does shine
by Don Berg: