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Bruce Cockburn — Wondering Where the Lions Are (Live)
Album: The Whole Night Sky
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Total ratings: 1561









Released: 0
Length: 5:20
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Sun's up, uuh huh, looks okay
the world survives into another day
and i'm thinking about eternity
some kind of ecstasy got a hold on me.

I had another dream about lions at the door
they weren't half as frightening as they were before
but i'm thinking about eternity
some kind of ecstasy got a hold on me.

Walls windows trees, waves coming through
you be in me and i'll be in you
together in eternity
some kind of ecstasy got a hold on me

Up among the firs where it smells so sweet
or down in the valley where the river used to be
i got my mind on eternity
some kind of ecstasy got a hold on me
and i'm wondering where the lions are...
i'm wondering where the lions are...

Huge orange flying boat rises off a lake,
thousand-year-old petroglyphs doing a double take,
pointing a finger at eternity
i'm sitting in the middle of this ecstasy

Young men marching, helmets shining in the sun,
polished as precise like the brain behind the gun
(should be!) they got me thinking about eternity
some kind of ecstasy got a hold on me
and i'm wondering where the lions are...
i'm wondering where the lions are...

Freighters on the nod on the surface of the bay
One of these days we're going to sail away,
going to sail into eternity
some kind of ecstasy got a hold on me
and i'm wondering where the lions are...
i'm wondering where the lions are...
Comments (101)add comment
 Baby_M wrote:

Where are the Lions?  As of now, in fourth place in the NFC North, with a 4-7 record, but still in the running for a wild card spot.



Where are the Lions? They are basking in the glow of an NFC North Championship. 

Stranger words have never before been written. 
Posted 2 months ago by Grammarcop    [ Reply ]
 Baby_M wrote:

Where are the Lions?  As of now, in fourth place in the NFC North, with a 4-7 record, but still in the running for a wild card spot.




this always fits 
Posted 1 year ago by fredGarvin    [ Reply ]
Endlessly overplayed...
Posted 1 year ago by moonridge2001    [ Reply ]
 kazoo wrote:

Ha ha ha! Hope the lion wasn't in the mood for a snack. Judging from how my house cat can leap, that guy on top is toast.

I've seen lions climbing BIG fences ... up close they are big and scary.


Posted 1 year ago by radioparadise9    [ Reply ]
 Stephen_Phillips wrote:
Wondering where the lions are?

Doh!

Lion behind you  



LMAO! 
Posted 2 years ago by cosmicjoe54    [ Reply ]
Posted 2 years ago by justin4kick    [ Reply ]
 Algee wrote:
I'm sorry but would someone please explain this song to me?  I hear it live and people go crazy and I don't understand why and I don't know who the lions are and what am I missing?  This has been a thing with me for many years and any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated.  Thank you.

Pretty good info here: https://cockburnproject.net/so...
(collection of comments BC has made over time)
Posted 2 years ago by mread    [ Reply ]
 Algee wrote:

I'm sorry but would someone please explain this song to me?  I hear it live and people go crazy and I don't understand why and I don't know who the lions are and what am I missing?  This has been a thing with me for many years and any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated.  Thank you.  


Simple. It's a fun, happy song.
Posted 2 years ago by Ok_Sobriquet    [ Reply ]
I'm sorry but would someone please explain this song to me?  I hear it live and people go crazy and I don't understand why and I don't know who the lions are and what am I missing?  This has been a thing with me for many years and any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated.  Thank you.  
Posted 2 years ago by Algee    [ Reply ]
 Baby_M wrote:

Where are the Lions?  As of now, in fourth place in the NFC North, with a 4-7 record, but still in the running for a wild card spot.




this could have been posted any year
Posted 2 years ago by ColdMiser    [ Reply ]
Summer's End
That's the Way That the World Goes Round
Wondering Where the Lion's Are

I'm not a religious man, but Amen....
Posted 3 years ago by mattenuttall    [ Reply ]
O the last four tunes from Vision Thing until Bruce Cockburn travel spiritually & seamlessly between reality and the sublime
Posted 3 years ago by lindaurq    [ Reply ]
My lion (cat) is sitting on my belly right now and purring.
Posted 3 years ago by KlingKlang    [ Reply ]
 skuzzfud wrote:
Now, what is it he's wondering about, there?
 
The lions, man.
Posted 3 years ago by tinypriest    [ Reply ]
 westslope wrote:


We now have one just up behind the house in the Sage brush steppe.

I can readily imagine this song appealing to movement people and other political activists.  Bruce nails it.  
 
Totally, whatever you said.
Posted 3 years ago by tinypriest    [ Reply ]
 adyboy94 wrote:
Vancouver, B.C. Up out of Lions Bay or Cypress Bowl
 

We now have one just up behind the house in the Sage brush steppe.

I can readily imagine this song appealing to movement people and other political activists.  Bruce nails it.  
Posted 3 years ago by westslope    [ Reply ]
Vancouver, B.C. Up out of Lions Bay or Cypress Bowl
Posted 3 years ago by adyboy94    [ Reply ]
In 40 years we WILL be wondering where the lions are...Wake up... Mother Earth is pissed off at us.. Toooo many people on this little blue heaven.
Posted 3 years ago by Rockit9    [ Reply ]
Now, what is it he's wondering about, there?
Posted 3 years ago by skuzzfud    [ Reply ]
Summer's End, That's the Way That the World Goes Round (Norah Jones version) followed by Wondering Where The Lions Are. I'm doing some stretching on the floor after a long and somewhat intense day and I'm grateful, most grateful, for a simple sequence of songs that lifts me up a little higher than I'm sure I ought to be. I like it there.... Thanks Bill. Thanks Rebecca.
Posted 3 years ago by mattenuttall    [ Reply ]
 gmsingh123 wrote:
 Milesxl wrote:

Wish they would... this is dire, repetitive and irritating. 
 

Wow, the best response to that is "If I had a rocket launcher some son of a bitch would die."

 
But never forget the trouble with normal is it always gets worse
Posted 4 years ago by janac13    [ Reply ]
 gmsingh123 wrote:
 Milesxl wrote:

Wish they would... this is dire, repetitive and irritating. 
 

Wow, the best response to that is "If I had a rocket launcher some son of a bitch would die."

 
But, GmSingh, you could try to "kick at the darkness 'til it bleeds daylight"?

And I'll give a bonus point to who can name the wicked U2 song that quotes the above Bruce Cockburn lyric...
Posted 4 years ago by mattenuttall    [ Reply ]
 Milesxl wrote:

Wish they would... this is dire, repetitive and irritating. 
 

Wow, the best response to that is "If I had a rocket launcher some son of a bitch would die."

Posted 4 years ago by gmsingh123    [ Reply ]
 erry wrote:


well , I think he wrote it when he became actively Christian , and they feed them to the lions , don't they ?
 
Wish they would... this is dire, repetitive and irritating. 
Posted 4 years ago by Milesxl    [ Reply ]
 Stephen_Phillips wrote:
Wondering where the lions are?

Doh!

Lion behind you  
 

well , I think he wrote it when he became actively Christian , and they feed them to the lions , don't they ?
Posted 4 years ago by erry    [ Reply ]
 Grammarcop wrote:
Where are the Lions?

Last place as usual.
 
I posted the above six years ago. Some things never change...
Posted 4 years ago by Grammarcop    [ Reply ]
 westslope wrote:
What year was this song released?

I seem to recall that it came out much earlier than 1996.
 

This is a live version release, not the original studio version.
Posted 4 years ago by xray38    [ Reply ]
Personally, I'm wondering why the Sonos RP integration doesn't support PSD.
Posted 4 years ago by nutrod42    [ Reply ]
What year was this song released?

I seem to recall that it came out much earlier than 1996.
Posted 4 years ago by westslope    [ Reply ]
A bit depressing, but in a few years time we're all going to be wondering where the lions went.
Posted 4 years ago by newbolddrive    [ Reply ]
 Stephen_Phillips wrote:
Wondering where the lions are?

Doh!

Lion behind you  
 Classic! Like this image more than the tune actually.

Posted 4 years ago by aspicer    [ Reply ]
uuuuhhhhhgggggg!!!!!!!
Posted 4 years ago by Shotoverplain    [ Reply ]
 Stephen_Phillips wrote:
Wondering where the lions are?

Doh!

Lion behind you  
 
Ha ha ha! Hope the lion wasn't in the mood for a snack. Judging from how my house cat can leap, that guy on top is toast.
Posted 5 years ago by kazoo    [ Reply ]
A Canadian treasure!!
Posted 5 years ago by danthebeachman    [ Reply ]
At least the studio version is a 10
Posted 5 years ago by haresfur    [ Reply ]
Wondering where the lions are?

Doh!

Lion behind you  
Posted 5 years ago by Stephen_Phillips    [ Reply ]
30+ albums. Many many fantastic songs. This is one that has aged pretty well considering, but nowhere near his best. If you want live Cockburn singing songs from this part of his career, may I suggest: "After the Rain?" with incredible acoustic guitar work that is even more notable live mixed with that stream-of-consciousness reportage so gritty and yet open and ready for the world to be pierced by grace:

"Engine throb street cruise light bullet car flash
Hollow beauty night gleam oily river tension glass"

Posted 5 years ago by NelsonBlack    [ Reply ]
 jab49 wrote:
Best to play the original - this live version is a case of "you had to be there".

 
Yep, I guess I'd have to second that. Big fan of the song and Bruce, but this version isn't as strong as the original.
Posted 5 years ago by bluematrix    [ Reply ]
Something about Bruce's name just sounds so incredibly painful...

{#Eek}{#Fire}
Posted 5 years ago by rpdevotee    [ Reply ]
 ExploitingChaos wrote:
This song sucks and the clapping all white-folks wrong
 
Ah, no wonder I find the clapping exceptionally obnoxious
Posted 5 years ago by haresfur    [ Reply ]
I love this song more each time I hear it.
Posted 5 years ago by andy.ormsby955    [ Reply ]
Personally, I'm wondering why this guy's music is so bland.
Posted 5 years ago by nutrod42    [ Reply ]
Bruce has made some wonderful albums full of songs deep in meaning. This is not one of them!
Posted 5 years ago by Lyndont    [ Reply ]
 jab49 wrote:
Best to play the original - this live version is a case of "you had to be there".

 
#upvoted
 
The studio version's a fairly rare 10 for me. This gets a 5, max.
Posted 6 years ago by ScottFromWyoming    [ Reply ]
oh no, it's the sound of white people clapping. off beat and rushin the tempo. ouughta be banned along with cell phones
Posted 6 years ago by thewiseking    [ Reply ]
This song sucks and the clapping all white-folks wrong
Posted 6 years ago by ExploitingChaos    [ Reply ]
Background singers wonderin' when the song will end.
Posted 6 years ago by deepwoodskev    [ Reply ]
I'd rather hear the original - but I'll sing along with any version you want to play.
Posted 6 years ago by NotShakespeare    [ Reply ]
Wonderin' where the "MEHs" are....
{#Neutral}
Posted 6 years ago by George_Tirebiter    [ Reply ]



                     

                     Look under your seats, boys and girls -
                       EVERYONE GETS A FREE YO-YO !!! 


 
 
Posted 6 years ago by sfyi2001    [ Reply ]
Where the Lions are is one and done for the 2016-17 season after losing to Seattle in he wild card round, 26-6.
Posted 7 years ago by Baby_M    [ Reply ]
I feel like I'm in a Holiday Inn lounge listening to a guy w/aviator tinted glasses and polyester.  "C'mon folks put your hands together."
Posted 7 years ago by Chrisjea    [ Reply ]
The background singers sound bored out of their skulls. Ruins it for me. 
Posted 7 years ago by Catalytic    [ Reply ]
 Skydog wrote:
2

 
Guess you meant 12 {#Angel}
Posted 7 years ago by msymmes    [ Reply ]
2
Posted 7 years ago by Skydog    [ Reply ]
{#Bananajam}{#War} Doesn't get much better than this!!
Posted 7 years ago by Big_Daddy    [ Reply ]

Posted 8 years ago by oldviolin    [ Reply ]
 jab49 wrote:
Best to play the original - this live version is a case of "you had to be there".

 
Agree.  He tends to drag this out, but when I saw him live it didn't matter.  Cooking while listening tonight it got... long.
Posted 8 years ago by Tippster    [ Reply ]
Best to play the original - this live version is a case of "you had to be there".
Posted 8 years ago by jab49    [ Reply ]
I turned them in.
Posted 8 years ago by twoplain2sea    [ Reply ]
 Baby_M wrote:
Where are the Lions?  As of now, in fourth place in the NFC North, with a 4-7 record, but still in the running for a wild card spot.

 
LOL excellent.

One of the few COCKburn songs I can tolerate.. 
Posted 8 years ago by floydoftherocks    [ Reply ]
Where are the Lions?  As of now, in fourth place in the NFC North, with a 4-7 record, but still in the running for a wild card spot.
Posted 8 years ago by Baby_M    [ Reply ]
Man, I've been listening to Bill's playlist for over a decade now but tonight is officially dubbed "Night of Nines" for so many 9 ratings (or higher) back to back. From old favorites of mine to new favorites that I've been introduced to here. Keep em coming!
Posted 8 years ago by bluematrix    [ Reply ]
 fredriley wrote:
Which title reminds me that I once applied for the job of resident artist at Whipsnade Zoo, but was rejected because I couldn't draw a straight lion.

I'll get me mane...

 
Nipped that off of W.C.Fields, did you?  The only other person I ever knew to use "Whipsnade" was my ex-husband.
Posted 8 years ago by LizK    [ Reply ]
 fredriley wrote:
Which title reminds me that I once applied for the job of resident artist at Whipsnade Zoo, but was rejected because I couldn't draw a straight lion.

I'll get me mane...

 
I guess you didn't have the appropriate koalafications, Fred.
Posted 8 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
Woody Creek Colorado-1981, played this to death- sitting up all night by the camp fire. Great fuzzy memories....
Posted 8 years ago by skyguy    [ Reply ]
I haven't heard this song played for a while...but I find myself sing this refrain all the time.  I really relate ever since I had a mountain lion fight about 30' from my tent a couple of years ago.  Reeeeooowwww back and forth for about 10 min.  I guess it was the loser that got run over on Hwy 33 at Canada Larga Rd, about a mile farther away.
Posted 8 years ago by markthecarp    [ Reply ]
 lbeaton wrote:
Brooooooooce! {#Bananajam}

 
Right on Bananabro!!!  You know a true poet when you hear one.
Posted 9 years ago by SmileOnADog    [ Reply ]
 Zoonhollis wrote:
Please, somebody tell him where the lions are.

 
exactly. {#Headache}
Posted 9 years ago by lily34    [ Reply ]
 The_Enemy wrote:
I thought by now you'd realize

There ain't no way to hide your lion (eyes)

 
gif of Manny Pacquiao getting knocked out

Dude, that joke knocked Manny out. 
Posted 9 years ago by kcar    [ Reply ]
 redeyespy wrote:
At times his voice is akin to Warren Zevon's.
 
Although they're both singer/songwriters I would never place Cockburn in the same league as Zevon.  Good but not great...
Posted 9 years ago by Foot    [ Reply ]
Timeless.   

And one hell of a guitar player !

 
Posted 9 years ago by msymmes    [ Reply ]
 fredriley wrote:
Which title reminds me that I once applied for the job of resident artist at Whipsnade Zoo, but was rejected because I couldn't draw a straight lion.

I'll get me mane...
 
Jokes as good as this deserve a bump. 
Posted 9 years ago by SquiddlyDiddly    [ Reply ]
Saw him at Mariposa in '67, didn't know at the time that was his first solo performance. Impressive accumulation of work since then.
Posted 9 years ago by TerryS    [ Reply ]
Please, somebody tell him where the lions are.
Posted 10 years ago by Zoonhollis    [ Reply ]
So am I.
Posted 10 years ago by bexhillos    [ Reply ]
 bev wrote:
Originally had this at "6" but...yes, for sure it's at least a "7" today...thanks for playing! {#Dance}

 

Posted 10 years ago by Peter_Bradshaw    [ Reply ]
Which title reminds me that I once applied for the job of resident artist at Whipsnade Zoo, but was rejected because I couldn't draw a straight lion.

I'll get me mane...
Posted 10 years ago by fredriley    [ Reply ]
Was just thinking....

Maybe Bruce is Canada's version of Jamaica's Bob...?
 
Posted 10 years ago by msymmes    [ Reply ]
 kcar wrote:
Shore hope yew find them goddamned lions before they find yew. 

 
and hopefully we'll then never have to hear the song again.
Posted 10 years ago by lily34    [ Reply ]
Shore hope yew find them goddamned lions before they find yew. 
Posted 11 years ago by kcar    [ Reply ]
I thought by now you'd realize

There ain't no way to hide your lion (eyes)
Posted 11 years ago by The_Enemy    [ Reply ]
Where are the Lions?

Last place as usual.
Posted 11 years ago by Grammarcop    [ Reply ]
Brooooooooce! {#Bananajam}
Posted 11 years ago by lbeaton    [ Reply ]
 haresfur wrote:
Not so wild about this live version although it's a great tune.  The heavy beat and audience participation swamps the dreamy quality of the studio version that suits the song better IMO.  I imagine it would have felt differently to be at the concert but doesn't work at my desk.  Sometimes live music should just stay live.

On the other hand the original album production sounds a bit dated and could use a remodel.
 
Agreed - the acoustic live version on Slice O Life is better.
Posted 11 years ago by zillah    [ Reply ]
 haresfur wrote:
Not so wild about this live version although it's a great tune.  The heavy beat and audience participation swamps the dreamy quality of the studio version that suits the song better IMO.  I imagine it would have felt differently to be at the concert but doesn't work at my desk.  Sometimes live music should just stay live.

On the other hand the original album production sounds a bit dated and could use a remodel.
  ...roger that


Posted 11 years ago by drivingunit103    [ Reply ]
Nice stuff.   

Gotta play something from ...  Nothing But A Burning Light   - Produced by the almighty T-Bone Burnett...

 
1991"A Dream Like Mine"165–22Nothing But A Burning Light
1992"Great Big Love"2712––
"Mighty Trucks of Midnight"6712––
"Somebody Touched Me"498––
      

Posted 11 years ago by msymmes    [ Reply ]
Not so wild about this live version although it's a great tune.  The heavy beat and audience participation swamps the dreamy quality of the studio version that suits the song better IMO.  I imagine it would have felt differently to be at the concert but doesn't work at my desk.  Sometimes live music should just stay live.

On the other hand the original album production sounds a bit dated and could use a remodel.
Posted 11 years ago by haresfur    [ Reply ]
Wow.  This track seems to have returned to RP !   Cool.

Bruce was made a Member of the Order of Canada in 1982 and was promoted to Officer in 2002.


In May 2007 he received two honorary doctorates, the fourth and fifth of his career. In early May he received an Honorary Doctorate of Divinity from Queens Universityin Kingston, Ontario,<11> and later in the month he received an Honorary Doctor of Letters at the convocation of Memorial University of Newfoundland for his lifelong contributions to Canadian music, culture and social activism. Cockburn previously received honorary doctorates from York University in Toronto, Berklee College of Music, and St. Thomas University in New Brunswick.<12>

Posted 11 years ago by msymmes    [ Reply ]
Originally had this at "6" but...yes, for sure it's at least a "7" today...thanks for playing! {#Dance}
Posted 12 years ago by bev    [ Reply ]
1971?
Posted 12 years ago by ScottFromWyoming    [ Reply ]
Damn Good....... {#Angel}
Posted 12 years ago by mrdak    [ Reply ]
At times his voice is akin to Warren Zevon's.
Posted 20 years ago by redeyespy    [ Reply ]
I sometimes initially resent artists like Sting, Bruce Cockburn and Warren Zevon who feel compelled to educate listeners about places they have travelled and social ills they have witnessed. Not everyone wants a lecture with their music. So to each his own. On the other hand, I usually start to appreciate that thought provoking music after the first few listens (I like all three musicians I listed above) and wouldn\'t you know it, I agree with the opinions they embed in the songs. So I don\'t mind.
Posted 20 years ago by redtail1    [ Reply ]
The live version of this is even more emotionally lifting than the album version. It\'s pretty clear that the audience is right along with him in the spirit of the song. And on rhythm too! Nothing wrong with a bit of happiness now and then....
Posted 21 years ago by Dirktooth    [ Reply ]
Nice! Had never heard the live version until RP! Thanks Bill. The story goes that B.C. wrote this to counter a pessimistic friend\'s assertions that the world sucked and would soon go completely to hell. If everyone agreed, it *would*. Thank God for uplifting, intelligent lyrics like B.C.\'s.
Posted 21 years ago by mread    [ Reply ]
B.C. is great. Great talent, and puts the \'intelligent\' in \'eclectic itelligent rock\'. Keep it up.
Posted 21 years ago by Neuf    [ Reply ]
Bruce Cockburn is a very passionate song-writer. His lyrics might not be for everyone but he knows of what he writes - he has travelled throughout South and Central America and writes of the injustices he sees in third world countries. As for \"pretentious and self-righteous\", the author of those comments might just look at himself.
Posted 22 years ago by Leslie    [ Reply ]