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song: Closer to the Light
artist: Bruce Cockburn
album: Dart to the Heart
released: 1994-03-01length: 4:02
7.4
(780)
There you go
Swimming deeper into mystery
Here I remain
Only seeing where you used to be
Stared at the ceiling
'Til my ears filled up with tears
Never got to know you
Suddenly you're out of here

Gone from mystery into mystery
Gone from daylight into night
Another step deeper into darkness
Closer to the light

Walked outside
Summer moon was nearly down
Mist on the fields
Holy stillness all around
Death's no stranger
No stranger than the life I've seen
Still I cry
Still I begged to get you back again

Gone from mystery into mystery
Gone from daylight into night
Another step deeper into darkness
Closer to the light
Bruce Cockburn

Bruce Douglas Cockburn ( KOH-bərn; born May 27, 1945) is a Canadian singer-songwriter and guitarist. His song styles range from folk to folk- and jazz-influenced rock to soundscapes accompanying spoken stories. His lyrics reflect interests in spirituality, human rights, environmental issues, and relationships, and describe his experiences in Central America and Africa.

Cockburn has written more than 350 songs on 34 albums over a career spanning five decades, of which 22 have received a Canadian gold or platinum certification as of 2018, and he has sold more than one million albums in Canada alone. In 2014, Cockburn released his memoirs, Rumours of Glory.

Artist Website
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Creative Commons BY-SA license
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Comments ( 60 )
Posted 12 years ago by djengs:
Cynaera wrote:
I really love this song. It always make me (and others, I've noticed from the comments) remember lost loved ones.  Beautiful, poignant lyrics. {#Sunny}
  

 pianocomposer wrote:

Goodbye Grandpa Sandy. Goodbye Jim Dove. Miss you, Glen. You too, Bruce. 
 
Goodbye to Cynaera as well. Glad she got to hear this first.
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Posted 14 years ago by casey1024:
Several songs this afternoon that make me think of and miss my very dearest friend, Debbie.  I long to learn there is an afterlife so I may see her again someday.
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Posted 3 years ago by tucorides:
That's our (Canada's) Bruce... sometimes just these gentle ones that mean so much. I'd say this is a pretty Deep Cut as well ...  not sure I've heard this song anywhere else except when I play this CD on the kitchen stereo.
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Posted 14 years ago by Randomax:
My goodness Bill... I hope you have not experienced a loss today.  These two songs in a row are on my list of the saddest (but poingant) songs of all times.   Guess right now we have a universal loss....bless the folks in Japan
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Posted 15 years ago by Businessgypsy:
Like most of you, this old favorite gives me pause to remember those who have passed. pax vobiscum.

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Posted 3 years ago by saellig668552:
wow - pure magic - brilliant
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Posted 12 years ago by enordberg:
Bruce wrote this as a tribute to Mark Heard - an obscure but amazing musician and song writer.
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Posted 14 years ago by Cynaera:
I really love this song. It always make me (and others, I've noticed from the comments) remember lost loved ones.  Beautiful, poignant lyrics. {#Sunny}
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Posted 1 year ago by Antigone:
This song always, always makes me cry. I do so love it. 
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Posted 1 year ago by moto848:
Is there trouble in Paradise today? The run of sad songs -- songs of loss & separation -- have been proliferating for the past few hours. Hope everything's ok, or that it'll get better soon. 
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Posted 12 years ago by Ouachita:
pinem wrote:
Amazing contrast with some listeners. Cockburn is one of the best kept secrets in music, and much better than Lightfoot IMO.
 
Agreed
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Posted 15 years ago by martinc:
stewliscious wrote:
Yes Bruce, your cock burns if you put it closer to the light.
 
You must have stayed up all night thinking that one up.
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Posted 2 years ago by rbrise:
 tucorides wrote:

That's our (Canada's) Bruce... sometimes just these gentle ones that mean so much. I'd say this is a pretty Deep Cut as well ...  not sure I've heard this song anywhere else except when I play this CD on the kitchen stereo.



I thought this was Gordon Lightfoot 
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Posted 2 years ago by lizardking:
 tucorides wrote:

That's our (Canada's) Bruce... sometimes just these gentle ones that mean so much. I'd say this is a pretty Deep Cut as well ...  not sure I've heard this song anywhere else except when I play this CD on the kitchen stereo.


First time I've heard this cut, and it's a straight 8 for me, he does the "gentle" tunes really well.  LLRP!!
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Posted 3 years ago by OhCanada67:
 sharkey wrote:


What is a tab sheet?



https://www.8notes.com/guitar_...
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Posted 3 years ago by sharkey:
 talabao wrote:

lovely song, I just discover Bruce Cockburn with pleasure.

would anyone have the tab sheet  of this one? thx




What is a tab sheet?
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Posted 12 years ago by Antigone:
I miss you all so much.
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Posted 13 years ago by talabao:

lovely song, I just discover Bruce Cockburn with pleasure.

would anyone have the tab sheet  of this one? thx


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Posted 13 years ago by meinthecorner:
peter_james_bond wrote:

There you go
Swimming deeper into mystery
Here I remain
Only seeing where you used to be
Stared at the ceiling
'Til my ears filled up with tears
Never got to know you
Suddenly you're out of here

 (CHORUS:)
Gone from mystery into mystery
Gone from daylight into night
Another step deeper into darkness
Closer to the light

 Walked outside
Summer moon was nearly down
Mist on the fields
Holy stillness all around
Death's no stranger
No stranger than the life I've seen
Still I cry
Still I begged to get you back again
  Never heard this before. Found the lyrics while the song was still playing, and then cried like a baby. Shit! Just too much death has crossed my path over the last few years. Thanks Bruce, and Peter James Bond. I needed that.


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Posted 13 years ago by Antigone:
This song always breaks my heart ...


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listen:
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