Bruce Cockburn — A Dream Like Mine
Album: Nothing But A Burning LightAvg rating:
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Length: 3:42
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When you've got a dream like mine
Nobody can take you down
When you've got a dream like mine
Nobody can push you around
Today I dream of how it used to be
Things were different before
The picture shifts to how it's going to be
Balance restored
When you know even for a moment
That it's your time
Then you can walk with the power
Of a thousand generations
When you've got a dream like mine
Nobody can take you down
When you've got a dream like mine
Nobody can push you around
Beautiful rocks -- beautiful grass
Beautiful soil where they both combine
Beautiful river -- covering sky
Never thought of possession, but all this was mine
When you know even for a moment
That it's your time
Then you can walk with the power
Of a thousand generations
When you've got a dream like mine
Nobody can take you down
When you've got a dream like mine
Nobody can push you around
Nobody can take you down
When you've got a dream like mine
Nobody can push you around
Today I dream of how it used to be
Things were different before
The picture shifts to how it's going to be
Balance restored
When you know even for a moment
That it's your time
Then you can walk with the power
Of a thousand generations
When you've got a dream like mine
Nobody can take you down
When you've got a dream like mine
Nobody can push you around
Beautiful rocks -- beautiful grass
Beautiful soil where they both combine
Beautiful river -- covering sky
Never thought of possession, but all this was mine
When you know even for a moment
That it's your time
Then you can walk with the power
Of a thousand generations
When you've got a dream like mine
Nobody can take you down
When you've got a dream like mine
Nobody can push you around
Comments (66)add comment
Only 4 posts in the last 6 years? Must shout out this song, what a groove!
mardisoninnc wrote:
Terrific story! I saw Bruce twice in the last couple of weeks. He's really getting up there in years....walking bent over with a cane...but when he sits down and picks up the guitar, he's still a Young Lion!
I have such vivid memories of seeing Bruce at Goucher College in Maryland on this tour in 1991. Sam Phillips opened up for him, with Marc Ribot playing guitar for her (it would've been so great to have seen Mark Heard back her up on the guitar, but he had to leave the tour early due to his father's death). It was T Bone Burnett's birthday on the night of the show, and Sam and Bruce brought him out on stage and sang to him (along with the audience). A beautiful, brilliant moment in time.
Terrific story! I saw Bruce twice in the last couple of weeks. He's really getting up there in years....walking bent over with a cane...but when he sits down and picks up the guitar, he's still a Young Lion!
tmaseth0370 wrote:
I was at the same show!! Such a great night!
I was at the same show!! Such a great night!
mardisoninnc wrote:
I have such vivid memories of seeing Bruce at Goucher College in Maryland on this tour in 1991. Sam Phillips opened up for him, with Marc Ribot playing guitar for her (it would've been so great to have seen Mark Heard back her up on the guitar, but he had to leave the tour early due to his father's death). It was T Bone Burnett's birthday on the night of the show, and Sam and Bruce brought him out on stage and sang to him (along with the audience). A beautiful, brilliant moment in time.
EssexTex wrote:
terrapin52 wrote:
This is dubious, especially since he is from Canada, Tex.
He didn't say it was the same "Cockburn", just "a Cockburn".
I was at school with a "Cockburn"...the ribbing he had was merciless.
terrapin52 wrote:
This is dubious, especially since he is from Canada, Tex.
He didn't say it was the same "Cockburn", just "a Cockburn".
westslope wrote:
Touché!
Well, some of us grow up in one place and then.... we move to a better place. 
Touché!
ThePoose wrote:
Well, some of us grow up in one place and then.... we move to a better place.
He's MY homeboy: I am in Ottawa; you're in B.C.
Well, some of us grow up in one place and then.... we move to a better place.
I have such vivid memories of seeing Bruce at Goucher College in Maryland on this tour in 1991. Sam Phillips opened up for him, with Marc Ribot playing guitar for her (it would've been so great to have seen Mark Heard back her up on the guitar, but he had to leave the tour early due to his father's death). It was T Bone Burnett's birthday on the night of the show, and Sam and Bruce brought him out on stage and sang to him (along with the audience). A beautiful, brilliant moment in time.
Dang great song. Just flipped over to DEEZer and streaming this entire album. Man, didn't know what I been missing with this guy.
EssexTex wrote:
Nah, Cockburn never went to school in Essix.
I was at school with a "Cockburn"...the ribbing he had was merciless.
Nah, Cockburn never went to school in Essix.
I always thought he was singing, "you've got a dreamer's heart..." -- still a good song!
Which is why Brucie insists on his name being pronounced ''COBURN.''
The ''CK'' is silent...just like the ''P'' before ''Rick.''
EssexTex wrote:
The ''CK'' is silent...just like the ''P'' before ''Rick.''
EssexTex wrote:
I was at school with a "Cockburn"...the ribbing he had was merciless.
He's MY homeboy: I am in Ottawa; you're in B.C.
Glad to see folks enjoying my homeboy.
His body of work holds up very well.
I have had the privilege of seeing him live, both in the acoustic, contemplative phase and the later electric, rock-out that anger and frustration stage. Never did see him booed off the stage at Le Hibou in downtown Ottawa (near the Mint, it used to be). Glad Bruce hung in. He's one of the best.
terrapin52 wrote:
This is dubious, especially since he is from Canada, Tex.
Any chance EssexTex could be from Essex County in Ontario, nearby to where Mr. Cockburn grew up?
This is dubious, especially since he is from Canada, Tex.
Any chance EssexTex could be from Essex County in Ontario, nearby to where Mr. Cockburn grew up?
terrapin52 wrote:
This is dubious, especially since he is from Canada, Tex.
Read carefully, terrapin...
This is dubious, especially since he is from Canada, Tex.
Read carefully, terrapin...
EssexTex wrote:
This is dubious, especially since he is from Canada, Tex.
I was at school with a "Cockburn"...the ribbing he had was merciless.
This is dubious, especially since he is from Canada, Tex.
MJMJ wrote:
My thoughts exactly!
I thought this was David Byrne when I first heard him sing.
My thoughts exactly!
Produced by T-Bone Burnett. A superb album. Not timeless but good listening for 15 years in my books.
MJMJ wrote:
Many also mistake Jakob Dylan for Bruce.
I thought this was David Byrne when I first heard him sing.
Many also mistake Jakob Dylan for Bruce.
Businessgypsy wrote:
Underappreciated. Period. I give him 10's a lot, because his music just resonates with me.
This CD really got me through a rough patch in the 90's. Bruce is extremely under appreciated as a guitar player.
Underappreciated. Period. I give him 10's a lot, because his music just resonates with me.
This CD really got me through a rough patch in the 90's. Bruce is extremely under appreciated as a guitar player.
...Cut by the beauty of jagged mountains
precious and rare...
precious and rare...
More please...
toterola wrote:
I sure like Bruce's music, and his politics. He's the real deal, as far as I'm concerned. 
The producer really buried Bruce's voice on this track. 
I sure like Bruce's music, and his politics. He's the real deal, as far as I'm concerned.
I thought this was David Byrne when I first heard him sing.
I've always thought that the percussion on this is outstanding. And the lyrics, of course. And Bruce's voice.
I thought this was Jackson Browne when I first heard him sing. OK song, but good enough to want to hear some more.
whatever... a tight band playing this one.
maybe he shouldn't be standing so close to the swimming pool at night - he looks really sinister.
I was at school with a "Cockburn"...the ribbing he had was merciless.
Nice little set you got brewing here, Bill...nice for preparing a feast of fajitas on the eve of 3 months of vacation...
Beck
Beatles
Cockburn
who knows?
and earlier there was that nice mini-set of jammin' Who...
ahh, another time-warping good day set to the RP Movie of My Life Soundtrack...
Bruce almighty!
My daughter in kindergarden wanted to play one of his songs in school for a report she was doing on rain forests. I had a hard time explaining what "Ancient corridors of co-existence hacked by parasitic greedhead scam" meant. It wasn't fun.
Yeah, if I had a rocket launcher...
Slick wrote:
Always great to hear Bruce. In an alternate universe Bruce would replace Brittany as a mega-star (not that he'd want it that way ;-). Peace all...
Too true!
Bruce can do no wrong in my book.
lynncorry1964 wrote:
I had tickets to a show last fall and ended up not going due to a snowstorm....that sucked!!!!!
If you're in Parry Sound, then I'm not surprised that you were screwed over by a snowstorm. Whenever I drive up to Sudbury in the winter there always seems to be a snowstorm in Parry Sound... well, except for this year.
Ag3nt0rang3 wrote:
It's easy to pronounce, but not easy to know how to pronounce, if that makes sense. I'd imagine it's one of those mysteries of English proper-name pronunciation that I just don't care enough to research.
Kind of like Brett Favre, pronounced "Farve", but one might think you'd say "Favrah or Favor".
ecorunner wrote:
This man is seriously talented, and incredible in concert, and funny too. I was at the concert in 2001 in Keene New Hampshire where he interrupted the concert to announce that he had to take a crap and it would be 10 minutes before he would play again. The audience was floored. But the rest of the concert was amazing.....
haha .. great story. This is a great song.
It's easy to pronounce, but not easy to know how to pronounce, if that makes sense. I'd imagine it's one of those mysteries of English proper-name pronunciation that I just don't care enough to research.
jgeyer wrote:
Ah, yeah. And what makes the "ck" silent? Not saying that Coburn isn't the way to say his name, but if there is some confusion, it is understandable.
I had tickets to a show last fall and ended up not going due to a snowstorm....that sucked!!!!!
ploba wrote:
you are in for a real treat... 
lynncorry1964 wrote:
OMG, Excellent. Perfect timing!!!! 
I'm going to see him this fall. The excitement overflows.
you are in for a real treat... I'm going to see him this fall. The excitement overflows.
OMG, Excellent. Perfect timing!!!! I'm going to see him this fall. The excitement overflows.
I'm going to see him this fall. The excitement overflows.I always thought he was saying, You got a dream-like mind...
I kind like that just as much. Brilliant performer.
Ag3nt0rang3 wrote:
It's easy to pronounce and not embarassing at all, pronounce it Coburn, with long o sound and the -ck silent. You Puritan Pukes! :-p
Ah, yeah. And what makes the "ck" silent? Not saying that Coburn isn't the way to say his name, but if there is some confusion, it is understandable.
Chunnamark wrote:
Great Song, Great Album! Go Bruce (embarassingly mispronouncable last name!)
It's easy to pronounce and not embarassing at all, pronounce it Coburn, with long o sound and the -ck silent. You Puritan Pukes! :-p
Great finger picking...probably one of the best and I met him years ago at the Stein Valley festival (north of Whistler) and he was really really nice to hang around with....
I do find his topics of choice pretty dark (I normally dont turn on Bruce when I want to forget problems)
His voice can drain after a while, but he is probably one of the best artists Canada has ever created (next to William Shattner doing Simple People, or Lucy in the Skies with Diamonds)
Darbuka wrote:
One of the best songwriters of our times.
Realising that, and that he's extremely talented... I still don't like his MUSIC. Take a disliking to his voice.
Sorry, can't be helped... I really tried. I owned a few of his albums once... and agree totally with his message, but I just cannot warm to his style. :(
One of the best songwriters of our times. One of his best tunes from one of his best albums. Thanks RP.
p.s. Rocket Launcher IS from the perspective of someone watching people be killed and innocent villages being bombed. To my understandinf this is not what Bruce would actually do if given the opportunity, but rather a reaction to what he actually witnessed in Central America. Truth be told, I've felt the same way, and I'm a pacifist.
Anyhoo, Rocket Launcher, though good isn't even in my top 30 Bruce Cockburn songs. I'd like to hear 'Lord of the Starfields', 'Dancing in the Dragon's Jaws', 'Lover's in a Dangerous Time' and every song off of this album.
Always great to hear Bruce. This album happens to be my favorite (I own most of his catalog), one great tune after another. Produced by T-Bone Burnett it has a great spiritual quality. In an alternate universe Bruce would replace Brittany as a mega-star (not that he'd want it that way ;-). Peace all...
Oddly, this BC has a real Fixx sound to it.
Or maybe I've just had one too many rocket launchers go through my ears.
Great Song, Great Album! Go Bruce (embarassingly mispronouncable last name!)
ecorunner wrote:
This man is seriously talented, and incredible in concert, and funny too. I was at the concert in 2001 in Keene New Hampshire where he interrupted the concert to announce that he had to take a crap and it would be 10 minutes before he would play again. The audience was floored. But the rest of the concert was amazing.....
Hey, when ya gotta go, YA GOTTA GO! (Funny story!)
This man is seriously talented, and incredible in concert, and funny too. I was at the concert in 2001 in Keene New Hampshire where he interrupted the concert to announce that he had to take a crap and it would be 10 minutes before he would play again. The audience was floored. But the rest of the concert was amazing.....
Although I like this song, the period from around 1980 - 86, was when BC was at his best. I've had some surprising reactions from people I've played Rocket Launcher for that weren't familar with it. Some seemed to think it was advocating violence. My personal take is that it was written to express the the point of view of a native Nicaraguan stuck in a bad situation in the unrest of the 80s in that part of the world, and so frustrated by the violence and injustice they see around them that they just can't help but fantasize about retaliating. Like him or not, I do credit Cockburn for addressing some very topical and difficult issues that many songwriters woudn't touch.
Leslie wrote:
I already tried uploading an acoustic version of Rocket Launcher and Rebecca told me that the lyrics send a message that she and Bill don't agree with, so she politely declined to accept it.
lyn wrote:
One of my favourite more recent Cockburns. HOw about some of his older stuff? I'd love to hear "Rocket Launcher" or Miracle, but it might be political wildfire....
Or how 'bout real oldies and goodies like Dancing in the Dragon's Jaws, or Humans ("Rumors of Glory", one of his very best)
Leslie wrote:
I already tried uploading an acoustic version of Rocket Launcher and Rebecca told me that the lyrics send a message that she and Bill don't agree with, so she politely declined to accept it.
That's very interesting --- in the context of the song, the lyrics are completely appropriate. It's not like Cockburn's advocating the use of rocket launchers for fun and profit, or in fact advocating the use of them at all, just expressing the fear/anger/frustration that the narrator feels as the helicopters come around "for the second time today."
Originally Posted by lyn:
One of my favourite more recent Cockburns. HOw about some of his older stuff? I'd love to hear "Rocket Launcher" or Miracle, but it might be political wildfire....
I already tried uploading an acoustic version of Rocket Launcher and Rebecca told me that the lyrics send a message that she and Bill don't agree with, so she politely declined to accept it.
Bruce rocks. But I like his older stuff, too...
One of my favourite more recent Cockburns. HOw about some of his older stuff? I\'d love to hear \"Rocket Launcher\" or Miracle, but it might be political wildfire....
Originally Posted by heeb:
Well, actually, I hear the similarity too. BC just doesn't sound as annoying as DB does.
Me too. I would have bet money this was David Byrne.
Originally Posted by Leslie:
David Byrne? Hardly.
Well, actually, I hear the similarity too. BC just doesn't sound as annoying as DB does.
Loves me some Bruce!
Huh-huh. He said cockburn.
great tune!
David Byrne? Hardly.