This is my new favorite old Bruce Cockburn song. A recent discovery for me. :)
"All the diamonds in this world
that mean anything to me
are conjured up by wind and sunlight
sparkling on the sea
I ran aground in a harbour town
lost the taste for being free
thank God He sent some gull-chased ship
to carry me to sea
two thousand years and half a world away
dying trees still will grow greener when you pray
Silver scales flash bright and fade
in reeds along the shore
like a pearl on a sea of liquid jade
His ship comes shining
like a crystal swan in a sky of suns
His ship comes shining."
All the Diamonds in the World
Bruce Cockburn
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12 comments:
good tune. have you heard his album sunwheel dance?
i haven't heard this song before. What is it you like about it..or would i need to hear it to understand?
I should try and paste a Youtube recording of the song. The music is simple and beautiful, guitar and voice only. The words, well, I feel I'm being rescued back to life in some ways, back to freedom I long ago became imprisoned against. So, I love the imagery of a "gull-chased ship" carrying me back out to sea, the place of freedom and other invaluable things, or "diamonds". And the line, "Dying trees still will grow greener when you pray" is so hopeful to me.
Myron, I haven't heard the Sunwheel Dance album but will scope it out for sure! Is it old or new?
oh yeah, and "His ship comes shining..." Love that imagery too. It means something specific to me, but perhaps it might mean something different to you? ;) I'll keep some secrets.
I think that's why it's right to never explain what a song is about. It leaves room for people to bring the backstory of their own lives to it, to listen through the deep things of themsleves and hear something which is unique to them - something that keeps you returning to the song. Although it helps if the song is good!
I agree Paul! I did find the song on Youtube- if you do a search for "All the Diamonds in the World on Youtube" you'll probably find it there. Not a music video, but the song with words scrolling. I haven't figured out how to actually put it on my blog, but can at least point you in that direction.
Hey guys - glad you've discovered 'All the Diamonds'. It was a staple when I was playing gigs in Glasgow many moons ago. Bruce has an amazing ability to weave words and music together seamlessly, and most of the people I listen to have that ability. Indeed, the Feckless Boy himself has a wee gift there.
'Circles in the Stream' - a live album from the mid '70's - is a good place to start, Paul, if you don't know his stuff. It's the sheer range of musical styles and the underlying thoughtful spirituality in his writing that works for me. Plus he's a sh1t hot guitar player!
There's also a wonderful but little known album called 'Christmas' which has arrangements of about a dozen different carols. It usually gets thrown on the CD player in November and doesn't leave 'til January!
FBL
Awww, this song brought be back about 7 years to University. It was my favorite song for the longest time! Thanks for bringing it back!
No problem! I feel a little behind the Bruce Cockburn times...:) It's cool to hear that this song means something to you too. I hope school is going well this week!
ok - this is one of my all time favourite Bruce Cockburn songs - I sing this song a lot, and my kids know that I refer to the sparkles on the water as diamonds.... :)
His Christmas album is a huge hit amongst our whole family - a non-traditional traditional album.
pick it up, carla. lots of fun.
I love finding unique and non-mainstream Christmas albums. Sounds like this will be my next purchase. :):):):)
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