SONGS:
-- Tell The Universe --
Boston, April 21/03

Found on:

Life Short Call Now (2006)

Rumours of Glory - box set Disc 7 (2014) [compilation album]
Lyrics:

Tell the universe what you've done
Out in the desert with your smoking gun
Looks like you've been having too much fun
Tell the universe what you've done

Tell the universe what you took
While the heavens trembled and the mountains shook
All those lives not worth a second look
Tell the universe what you took

You've been projecting your shit at the world
Self-hatred tarted up as payback time
You can self destruct-that's your right
But keep it to yourself if you don't mind

Tell the universe where you've been
With your bloodstained shoes and your dunce's grin
Got to identify next of kin
Tell the universe where you've been



Editors Note: This song, Tell the Universe, was first played in front of humans on 30 November 2003, at Hamilton Palace in Hamilton, Ontario. It was played again on 5 December 2003 at the Empire Theatre in Belleville, Ontario. Tell the Universe, is played on the charango.

Tell The Universe is a collaborative effort between Bruce, Julie Wolf, Ben Riley and Steve Lucas that came out of a jam they were doing during a soundcheck.



Known comments by Bruce Cockburn about this song, by date:

  • 5 December 2003

    "This is aimed at all the Bushes, Rumsfelds and Suddams ...all those people that think there's not enough pain around."
    -- from a live concert statement, submitted to the project by Nancy Bouwma.

  • 20 February 2004

    "I confess I was thinking about a certain world 'leader' when we wrote [see above note about collaboration] this song."
    -- from a live concert statement.



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    This page is part of The Cockburn Project, a unique website that exists to document the work of Canadian singer-songwriter and musician Bruce Cockburn. The Project archives self-commentary by Cockburn on his songs and music, and supplements this core part of the website with news, tour dates, and other current information.