“Wait quickly,” was the quote he gave his high school yearbook in 1964. The inscription by his photo tells us, “Bruce sang in the choir, and hopes to become a musician. He has a guitar. His pet peeves include phony people and advertising.”
Bruce Cockburn[1] is a wildly and deservedly popular musician. If his name (pronounced Coburn) doesn’t recall his face or words to mind, you probably still have enjoyed his music. Follow the link below[2] and have a listen to his 1979 hit “Wondering Where the Lions Are.” The upbeat tempo and reggae style delivered his forward thought. It proved that 16-years after his high school inscription, this modern minstrel was still “waiting quickly” and, most assuredly, still waiting impatiently for us to catch up.
“Up among the firs where it smells so sweet
Or down in the valley where the river used to be
I got my mind on eternity
Some kind of ecstasy got a hold on me
And I'm wondering where the lions are...
I'm wondering where the lions are...”
Now here we are, children and brothers and sisters, moms and dads and babies. It is Earth Day 2015. Yes it is.
Bruce Cockburn is still singing out there somewhere in our world—waiting quickly—waiting to see if we will catch up.
For starters, have a listen and try answering Bruce’s question for the ages, “If a tree falls in a forest, can anybody hear?” [3]
“But this, this is something other.
Busy monster eats dark holes in the spirit world
Where wild things have to go
To disappear
Forever”
We don’t need an Earth Day, my friends.
We need Earth Forever. Wait quickly.
Image: “Clear Cut” found online, search “clear cut image” (with apologies to the unknown author)
[1] See: http://www.cockburnproject.net/bio.html Bruce is now a member of the Canadian Music Hall of Fame
[2] Listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JY__agG_eXc uploaded on July 7, 2011 Bruce Cockburn with "Wondering Where The Lions Are" live in the Bing Lounge, presented by Dick Hannah Dealerships. 101.9 KINK FM. Portland, OR. (and for lyrics, see: http://cockburnproject.net/songs&music/wwtla.html
[3] For live recording with lyrics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13KUZ53NWq0 (and more guitar sessions!) and for lyrics: http://www.metrolyrics.com/if-a-tree-falls-lyrics-bruce-cockburn.html