Some may be more familiar with Bruce Cockburn's other hits. among them: "Lovers in a Dangerous Time", which was covered by the Barenaked Ladies, "Wondering Where the Lions Are", Tokyo , and, among his fellow Christians, "All the Diamonds". A few hours on YouTube exploring Cockburn's work should be enough to confirm his place among the world's greatest guitarist songwriters--especially political ones.
"Burn", from Cockburn's 1975 album "Joy Will Find a Way", has become an anthem among progressives. It was played on DailyKos discussion fora to celebrate wins by Democratic candidate Bernie Sanders. For obvious reasons, "Burn" did not enjoy a long stay on U.S. radio, as it did elsewhere, but at least its exit wasn't as abrupt as tomorrow's protest song, by another Canadian folkie.
Lyrics:
Look away across the bay
Yankee gunboat come this way
Uncle Sam gonna save the day
Come tomorrow we all gonna pay...
And it's burn baby burn
When am I going to get my turn?
Something dead under the bed
Local diplomats hang their heads
Never mind what the government said
They're either lying or they've been misled...
And it's burn baby burn
When am I going to get my turn?
Phillipines was yesterday
Santiago and Greece today
How would they ever make the late news pay
If they didn't have the CIA?
And it's burn baby burn
When am I going to get my turn
Here it comes, the loaded gun
"Must keep the Commies on the run"
You'd buy or bury everyone
For liberty and life
And just plain fun
And it's burn baby burn
When am I going to get my turn?
Links:
Day 1 (The Inauguration) - "Hands" - Jewel
Day 2 (The Million Woman March) - "Testimony" by Ferron, sung by Marcelle Davies Lashley
Day 3 - "Ruins" - by Cat Stevens
Day 4 - "Eve of Destruction" (1964) - by P. F. Sloan performed by Barry McGuire
Day 5 - "Hypersensive Jester" - by Denny Guy
Day 6 - "Teresa" - by John Stewart
Day 7 - "Black Boys on Mopeds" by Sinéad O'Connor
Day 8 - "Burn, Baby, Burn" - by Bruce Cockburn
Day 9 - "Black Day in July" - by Gordon Lightfoot
Day 10 - "Democracy is Coming" - Leonard Cohen
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