Howl of anger, howl of grief
Here comes the heat, there's no relief
Social behavior
Beyond belief
Throw those punches, drop that ball
Commit to nothing, excuse it all
Here comes the future
Here comes the fall
Time takes its toll
But in my soul
I’m on a roll
Time takes its toll
But in my soul
I’m on a roll
The wolf has fixed you with its stare
Finality is hard to bear
Continue breathing
And beware
Eat what’s before you - pay the bill
There goes your bonehouse, right down that hill
Time waits for no one, and never will
Time takes its toll
But in my soul
I’m on a roll
Time takes its toll
But in my soul
I’m on a roll
I had a dream. There was a storm
And all the earth was without form
The sun was cold, the ether warm
Pressure building left and right
Timer ticking, just out of sight
I’m taking shelter
In the light
Time takes its toll
But in my soul
I’m on a roll.
I’m on a roll.
I’m on a roll.
I’m on a roll.
TOUT ME SOURIT
Hurlement de colère, hurlement de tristesse
Voici venir la chaleur, sans soulagement
Comportement social qui défie toute croyance
Lance ces coups de poing, échappe cette balle
Ne t'engage à rien du tout, dispense toi de tout
Voici le futur, voici la chute
Le temps prend son dû
Mais en mon âme
Tout me sourit
Le loup t'a regardé fixement
La finalité est difficile à supporter
Continue à respirer
Et prends garde
Mange ce qui est devant toi - paie la facture
Voilà ton paquet d'os sur une pente descendante
Le temps n'attend personne, et ne le fera jamais
Le temps prend son dû
Mais en mon âme
Tout me sourit
J'ai fait un rêve, il y avait une tempête
Et toute la terre était sans forme
Le soleil était froid, et l'éther chaud
La pression monte à gauche et à droite
Tic tac d'une minuterie, juste hors de vue
Je me mets à l'abri dans la lumière
Le temps prend son dû
Mais en mon âme
Tout me sourit
SF, 27 juillet 2020
Traduction français par Marcel Moussette et Jane Macaulay.
Musicians
Bruce Cockburn / Vocal, Resonator Guitar
Gary Craig / Drums, Percussion
Viktor Krauss / Upright Bass
Shawn Colvin / Guest Vocal
Colin Linden / Electric & Resophonic Guitars
Ann & Regina McCrary / Vocals
All songs by Bruce Cockburn, c 2020 Holy Drone Corp
Released on O Sun O Moon 12 May 2023
Editors Note:
On A Roll was previously released on FOUR NEW SONGS as video demo, made in January and February of 2021. Recording was done at Yahiro Barn Studio in San Francisco. The expectation is that in the fullness of time there will be an album containing these songs and others yet to be written. If live shows were possible they would be showing up in the repertoire. Since that isn’t happening, here they are...
Known comments by Bruce Cockburn about this song, by date:
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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.
