As I was googling for a good song for this week’s Song Lyric Sunday prompt, I came across a Spotify playlist with over 130 songs to celebrate Arbor Day. How could I not find a good’n? I sampled a good half of the ones not familiar to me and chose this one out of the bunch.
Because the artist is as important as the song in this case, I included a fairly long intro of the artist’s biography. I’ve heard some good music by Bruce but am mostly unfamiliar with him and his discography. I do know that this song is a winner and one that speaks well for my sentiments about the priceless worth of trees. Please protect them. Please plant them when you can. The lives of all Earthlings depend on them.
Bruce Douglas Cockburn OC (b. 4/27/45) is a Canadian singer-songwriter and guitarist. His song styles range from folk to folk- and jazz-influenced rock to soundscapes accompanying spoken stories. His lyrics reflect interests in spirituality, human rights, environmental issues, and relationships, and describe his experiences in Central America and Africa.
He has written more than 350 songs on 34 albums over a career spanning five decades, of which 22 have received a Canadian gold or platinum certification as of 2018, and he has sold more than one million albums in Canada alone.
In 2014, Cockburn released his memoirs, Rumours of Glory. (Definitely want to read it!)
He was born in Ottawa, Ontario, and spent some time at his grandfather’s farm outside of Chelsea, Quebec, but he grew up in Westboro, a neighborhood in Ottawa, when he was a teenager. His father, Doug, was a radiologist, eventually becoming head of diagnostic X-ray at the Ottawa Civic Hospital. He found his first guitar in his grandmother’s attic around 1959, adorned it with gold stars, and used it to play along to radio hits. When his first guitar teacher, Hank Sims, declared this instrument unplayable, his parents bought him a Kay archtop with flat wound strings and a DeArmond pickup.
Later he was taught piano and music theory by Peter Hall, the organist at Westboro United Church which Bruce and his family attended. Bruce had been listening to jazz and wanted to learn musical composition. Hall encouraged him and, along with his friend Bob Lamble, a lot of time was spent at Hall’s house listening to and discussing jazz.
He attended Nepean High School, where his 1964 yearbook photo states his desire “to become a musician.” After graduating, he took a boat to Europe and busked in Paris. He attended Berklee School of Music in Boston, where his studies included jazz composition, for three semesters between 1964 and 1966. That year he dropped out and joined an Ottawa band called The Children, which lasted for about a year.
Big Circumstance is his sixteenth full-length album and was released in 1989 by True North Records. Rounder Records issued a remastered CD of the album in 2005 with a new acoustic version of “If a Tree Falls” as a bonus track.
Written by: Bruce Cockburn
Album: Big Circumstance (Deluxe Edition)
Released: 2005
Source:
wikipedia
Jim Adams is the host of Song Lyric Sunday. This week Jim wants us to find a Song that represents Earth Day (April 22), or Arbor Day (April 24.)
FYI, I’ll be on blogging hiatus starting May 1st, so this will be my last SLS for awhile. I’ll miss everybody. See you on the flip side.
Tao-Talk 
Li. Hi. As per your post. Amazing. Thanks for sharing that. Coincidentally I was listening to a story book rap-reading just now when your post clinked in. I need to share with you.
:: There’s a phenomenal quote in The Lorax by Dr. Seuss that I think is one not to overlook. The quote represents the story’s message of individual responsibility and activism to reverse destruction. The quote by the Once-ler says, “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not,”
Wow, right! It emphasizes that environmental and social improvement requires personal investment from each of us. Wowser!
I believe it goes perfectly for your Arbor theme. I needed to share this. Blessings enjoy your hiatus. I will be away then as well. Xoxo
YT The Lorax. With Wes. Rap ::
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Selma, isn’t Wes Tank terrific? I featured him recently with one of my poems and totally enjoyed listening to all his raps.
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Absolutely yes. I heard of him for the first time in YOUR post. I wouldn’t have landed there otherwise. I should have mentioned that to Li. But I’d already said too much.
Thanks for the reply here, Nancy.
But I’m that Mr. Knox. I cannot make my mouth say what the Fox says. It’s a blast. Wowsificiously wowsing!!
I was listening to Wes this morning. And adored the Lorax… thus the share.
Thanks for the intro to Wes Tank, Nancy. Hugs.
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Thanks to both of you for making me aware of Wes Tank. I’m an instant fan :)
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Me too. 👏🏽
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My great pleasure, Selma. Wes is a fantastic performer and has done so much in promoting reading for children. Thanks.
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<3 <3 <3 Selma, you just made my night. I read this to my kids when they were little. I love the concept of rapping it. Just forwarded on to my sons and daughter in law <3
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Li. Thanks for appreciating this. Thanks for sharing. Let’s nurture little humans to grow big hearts. I love how everything found a connection here. Starting with Nancy… I have to go live my Sunday. Tata. Talk more pronto 🔜 😘 good night to you.
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Goodnight, my dear.
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Great song choice, Lisa. I’ve never heard of Bruce Cockburn; I thought his message was impactful and I really enjoyed his presentation. He’s a great guitar player; good thing he found that old guitar in the attic!
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<3 I bought a used CD of his last year and I think Max wrote a post about one of his songs awhile back. I agree on the old guitar in the attic :)
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Great choice Lisa I can’t believe I have not heard of him before- brilliant 🙌 Aldo listen to Wes Tanks rap posted by Selma how great is this !
Have a good break and see you soon 🩷
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Ange, so happy to introduce you to Bruce’s music, and I was delighted to be introduced to Wes Tanks. Thanks on the break, my friend <3
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Enjoy 😊
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A new one for me. A really good choice for the theme.
Enjoy your hiatus!
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Clive, I’m surprised you haven’t heard the song, and wondering if you’ve heard of Bruce before?
Thanks much on the hiatus :)
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Heard of him, but never listened to him. Bruces Hornsby and Springsteen, yes, but not this Bruce!
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I have to thank you for yet another introduction to a new artist for me. Excellent song choice for the prompt. Sometimes I wonder if I have been sleepwalking- so many artists I have been missing out on!
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V, isn’t it heartening to know that we will never run out of new-to-us music? Thanks much and happy to make the intro.
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I absolutely love your take on that 😍
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<3
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A great song to pause with. Leaves a lasting impression. My eyes are closed;I’m letting the sound take over. Enjoy your hiatus, Li. See you on the flip side. 🎁
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J, glad you enjoyed the song. I did the same thing at the end, listening to his excellent guitar playing. Thanks on the hiatus <3
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Lovely choice, Lisa and your post was very interesting to read. Bruce Cockburn opened for Jimi Hendrix and Cream in the 1960s, and shared stages or songwriting admiration with Bono, Jackson Browne, and Jerry Garcia.
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Jim, thanks much. He’s a masterful guitarist and songwriter, so it doesn’t surprise me he has opened or shared the stage with the greats you mention.
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I’ve heard of Cockburn more than I’ve actually heard him… you know I love trees! Good song!
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Can’t remember if I’ve ever heard of this artist, but I like this song, the way it is presented, the guitar, simple and steady, and his half spoken words that seem pretty important. Thanks for finding it. :)
Wishing you lots of good days on your break!
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Glad you enjoyed the song and you are welcome. Lots of good ones on the playlist I was looking through.
You are welcome and thanks on the break :)
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Bruce Cockburn is one of my all time favourites. He is amazing live!
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Heather, I imagine he would be. So glad you had a chance to see him live :)
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This is a song that is always, always relevant. Good choice. (K)
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Kerfe, thank you. If you could choose an Earth Day or Arbor Day song, what would you choose?
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I always think first of Spirit’s “Nature’s Way” which I used in my Earth Day post.
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<3
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The king of the socially conscience song.
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Yes, great moniker.
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we will miss your presence on here Li take good care, and stay well!
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Thanks so much, CA. See you on the flip side <3
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