Cockburn, Bruce - Wondering Where The Lions Are Lyrics






Sun's up... looks okay
The world survives into another day
And I'm thinking 'bout eternity
Some kinda 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 'bout eternity
Some kinda 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 kinda 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 kinda ecstasy got a hold on me

And I'm wondering where the lions are
I'm wondering where the lions are
I'm wondering where the lions are
I'm wondering where the lions are
I'm wondering where the lions are
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 and precise like the brain behind the gun
Should be, they got me thinking about eternity
But some kinda ecstasy got a hold on me

And I'm wondering where the lions are
I'm wondering where the lions are
I'm wondering where the lions are
I'm wondering where the lions are
Wondering where the lions are
Wondering where the lions are
...

Freighters on the nod on the surface of the bay
One of these days we're gonna sail away
We're gonna sail into eternity
Some kinda ecstasy got a hold on me

And I'm wondering where the lions are
I'm wondering where the lions are
I'm wondering where the lions are
I'm wondering where the lions are
Wondering where the lions are
I'm wondering where the lions are
Wondering where the lions are
...





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Cockburn, Bruce Wondering Where The Lions Are Comments
  1. L.... F....

    Fear was the subject.

  2. J.... T....

    That bass line is the business. Phrasing on the drums is beautiful. Folk/Reggae?

  3. B.... R....

    Lived in Canada my first 33 years and never got to see this amazing musician, knowing only the recorded versions of his music. Broke the drought last night at a great performance with his nephew John Aaron Cockburn (on guitar, accordion, and secondary vocals) at Freight and Salvage in Berkeley. His live vocals on this song sounded way better than on this record. Amazing poetry.

  4. K.... W....

    Excellent piece; it's on my funeral playlist.

  5. R.... F....

    Just discovered this guy. Cool groove!

  6. L.... ....

    We're a peculiar species: space age technology coupled with stone age mentality. Kind of dangerous.

  7. L.... S....

    very pretty song

  8. S.... R....

    Bruce Cockburn
    "Wondering Where The Lions Are"
    1980.

  9. K.... H....

    "and I'm wondering where the lighters are"

  10. i.... a....

    such a powerful song.....i was 13 when i first heard it.....my friends were into acdc and priest... id play this record and they just didnt get it....it only made me love it more

  11. i.... ....

    "This was wrote during the cold war when a relative of mine (who works for the Government) said to me one day, “we could wake up tomorrow to a nuclear war.” I woke up the next morning, there was no nuclear war. It was a real nice day and there was all this good stuff going on, and I had a dream that night which is the dream that is referred to in the first verse of the song, where there are lions at the door, but they weren’t threatening – it was a kind of peaceful thing. It reflected a previous dream that was a real nightmare where the lions were threatening.”
    - Bruce Cockburn

    i.... ....

    This was "wrote"? He really said or wrote that?

  12. T.... H....

    https://youtu.be/N7vCww3j2-w

  13. L.... B....

    Very good sons...

  14. E.... M....

    Love this music.:)2019

  15. K.... T....

    I wish, that, I knew what I know now. . . when I was younger

  16. t.... ....

    Wondering Where the Lions Are
    Bruce Cockburn
    Produced by Eugene Martynec
    Album: Dancing in the Dragon's Jaws

    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...

    Composer, Lyricist: Bruce Cockburn
    ℗ 1987 High Romance Music Inc.

    t.... ....

    Always so nice to be able to follow along with the lyrics, thanks! :)

  17. E.... G....

    Thank God for your dad and his taste in music. A classic

  18. E.... i....

    most you've ever done is stand me up

  19. E.... i....

    well then you're fucking stupid

  20. A.... ....

    Moved to Finland. Everytime my mom flies out from Colorado we listen to this song.

  21. E.... S....

    ... makes me too sad to listen now. Song's too perfect, maybe later when things calm down.

  22. S.... G....

    First time I heard this was on Saturday Night Live when I was a kid. :)

  23. L.... S....

    This is a Hemmingway reference

  24. j.... ....

    Thanks for a simple, positive song that we can all like...no political bullshit, just beautiful and hopeful...

  25. Z.... N....

    I dedicate this to my up and coming detroit lions 2019 !

    Z.... N....

    LOL Priceless!!!

  26. S.... G....

    heyy I like thissong

  27. E.... G....

    Very underrated guitarist,in my opinion.

  28. M.... D....

    Seriously one of the most beautiful songs ever written.

  29. H.... a....

    First time I heard this May 4, 1980 on American Top 40

  30. M.... S....

    Top tracks by Bruce? Good luck.

  31. B.... K....

    My wife died a year ago. As I was getting in the car to go to her funeral this song came on. That was the straw that broke me open.

  32. r.... ....

    fmurphy55 sams, young st, 80‘s. Wow too cool. Loved those days. Specials, albums for $6.99. magical atmosphere.

  33. O.... M....

    J'ai horreur de cette photo. On le pense très malade: J'étais très inquiet sur son état de santé. Pas vous? Peut-on concevoir la vie sans les mélodies, le son de ses guitares, la richesse de ses compositions? Peut-on même imaginer une vie spirituelle d'amour et de joie sans ses merveilleuses chansons et compositions musicales? En ce qui me concerne, il y a eu un avant et un après dans ma vie lors de la découverte de ce grand Monsieur. Je ne sais pas pour vous mais je peux écouter tous ses albums à la suite et recommencer encore et encore et encore sans jamais me lasser. Je connais aucun autre artiste capable de cet exploit artistique. Surtout si l'on prend en considération le nombre d'album que Bruce a créé. Le seul reproche que je pourrais formuler consiste dans le choix des morceaux que l'on trouve dans de soit disant "Best of". J'aime à penser que ce choix ne lui incombe pas et que ce sont les éditeurs qui ont le dernier mot. Jamais, par exemple, n'est sélectionné -Going up againt's chaos, Guerrilla betrayed, Mango, Homme brûlant ou d'autres encore comme Dialogue with Devil (une de mes préférées, version live 1977), What about a bond, etc...Bon, j'arrête, sinon je continue pendant des heures, ha!ha!ha!
    Amitiés à tous les admirateurs de Monsieur Bruce COCKBURN. Admirateurs pas fans.
    PS: Une personne bilingue peut-elle traduire en anglais, allemand ou en ce qu'elle veut mes impressions? Merci. Olivier.

  34. P.... A....

    Great tune! brings smiles.

  35. M.... ....

    A masterpiece!

  36. C.... V....

    Jim Wagoner/Minivan Traveler https://streamable.com/ss6o1

  37. J.... M....

    Cuz you know they're always right around the corner

  38. P.... K....

    The New England Patriots was trying to figuring out that question last night!!

  39. K.... A....

    This song came out just slightly before my time but when I discovered it, I made 'Wondering Where the Lions Are', 'Tokyo', 'Rumors of Glory', 'Waiting for a Miracle' and 'Coldest Night of the Year' part of the soundtrack to my wife and young kid's lives. Cockburn is just one of those Canadian artists like 'Tragically Hip', Tom Cochrane and Gordon Lighfoot that you play at parties or at the cottage at a campfire and everyone knows it. An enduring part of the culture.

  40. D.... H....

    I was introduced to Bruce via The Shack by WM Paul Young. Great song.

  41. E.... G....

    Green Bruce was under-rated "wondering where the lions..."

  42. J.... A....

    I heard this song in 2001, ever since, is one of my favourite ones from Bruce. 😀

  43. C.... K....

    I went to Toronto to get a Master's in literatue in 1981-82 at U.T. and this song was on the airwaves. Such fine memories.

  44. d.... ....

    Lynn turned me on to this song and his music... riding bicycles along the toe path near Bethesda... Yup, my mind still goes there when I hear this.

  45. j.... p....

    I had the very good fortune of seeing Bruce oh in the early 80s I played harmonica with catfish Hodge and we had recorded Blues got the world and I also remember before we met him one night we would be on the road and just listen to his music and mellow out after the gig of playing rock and roll blues and Loud stuff too when we met Bruce what a kind man a consummate artist and songwriter I have the utmost respect for him and I'm glad to see that people are getting his music and the message thank you Bruce Jimmy powers

  46. m.... ....

    Reminds me of all the time I spent in Vancouver. I miss that time. So many kind people touched my soul. I am grateful.

    m.... ....

    I visited Vancouver but I saw black bears,.

  47. W.... R....

    There still pissed about not getting enough playing time. and coaches named Turley.

  48. T.... ....

    What Detroit Lions fans usually say about their football team

    T.... ....

    TTJH1967 every January when playoffs start, I’m wondering where the Lions are!

    T.... ....

    LOL!!!- Thanks for the smiling laughter re; the D team...peace

  49. B.... L....

    It is a song that all of us in our mid 50's know.

    B.... L....

    40s too

    B.... L....

    @Chris Higgs :)

  50. B.... L....

    Those thousand year old petroglyphs point a finger at me.

  51. e.... m....

    A very special friend made me promise to play this song when he passed on. So as promised...this one's for you, Michael. RIP

  52. a.... ....

    I'm re-watching the ER tv series and I heard this in the episode where Carol Hathaway is about to give birth to her twins. Great song!

    a.... ....

    6ft10mexican me too :)

    a.... ....

    Me too! Re-watching ER and I’m on that episode now! Had to pause it and look up this song! Love it!

  53. P.... S....

    The bass guitar just kinda walks in off the street. Like an afternoon rehearsal in the club you're going to play that night. Easy Friday. Producers daughter is there. Never realized how good looking she is. Just sitting there trying to figure out how many stupid things one guitar player can say. He sounds just like Jimmie Paige and looks just like Hairspray,,,What's his name. ? The guy,s real name is Peter Damroth. His sister is Marilyn Chambers. I love Westport, Ct. Never figured out what he sounded like.It must be hard, being talented and good looking.

  54. b.... ....

    Loved this song. Also the drums in a couple spots are very unique.

  55. O.... ....

    Love it

  56. P.... G....

    I met this man at the Playhouse during the Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival in Fredericton and he was amazing.

  57. O.... A....

    The lion lies within me....

  58. j.... p....

    Great, great song...and message. But when it first came out, i thought it was about all wars or vietnam. Did anyone else know it was about Guatamala......????

  59. S.... S....

    I love that song is my favorite

  60. 7.... a....

    Great tune

  61. l.... ....

    I've had this song pop into my head for a few days now... I hadn't thought about it for years. I message, I think. And a good message at that.

  62. R.... M....

    I first heard this song on CKTS in Sherbrooke, Quebec

  63. K.... ....

    I can't tell if this is the version I heard on the radio, or not...

  64. R.... G....

    If I were a river, then this song would be the bridge over me...
    And it would connect my banks together...

  65. P.... S....

    I was a NYC studio guy back in the 60,s 70,s. Reminds me more of Van Morrison. Tim Buckley. Lou Reed I can't hear. Maybe Willie "Mink" DeVille. I read all these comments. A Freemason Zionist plot? Christians to the lions? They are cool hats,though. your thought process is as screwed up as your spelling. Check out the Mummers in Philly if you like cool hats.

  66. J.... F....

    nice .. morning song. I like it

  67. b.... h....

    As a drummer myself, I may be biased, but aren't the drums in this song AWESOME!!!!!

  68. f.... ....

    I was a night manager at the Yonge St Sam the Record Man back in the 80's and I had just put this record on when Bruce came in the store. (It would have been uncool to put it on after I knew he was there.) The timing was right (for the first and only time) and I was quite chuffed. He looked at me me and we both just kinda half grinned. We chatted for a while on his way out and he always stopped for a few words after that whenever we were both in the store. Not friends, but friendly.

    f.... ....

    fmurphy55 sams, young st, 80‘s. Wow too cool. Loved those days. Specials, albums for $6.99. magical atmosphere.

    f.... ....

    I still have a few Sam's LP dust jackets from that period . . . A little later on Bruce used to come into the Bamboo on Queen Street when I was working there, in the late '80s. He was always unfailingly humble and polite. A very gifted musician and songwriter.

    f.... ....

    fmurphy55 ~ Nice one 👍 😊

    f.... ....

    this is one of those things that makes the internet seem like a given eh?

  69. K.... M....

    Genius!

  70. j.... ....

    thanks for posting .

  71. D.... D....

    j'ai acheté un vinyle en 1972 de cette artiste et je n,oublierai jamais ,car c,est vraiment un bon musicien et également un poète.

  72. g.... ....

    Great song!

  73. A.... K....

    does anyone think the Lions had to do with a ex or an old love one maybe a divorce he still has thoughts about?

  74. W.... ....

    BRUCE COCKBURN

  75. P.... A....

    I discovered Bruce Cockburn by mistake thinking that this was an elusive Warren Zevon song he had done between 1978's Excitable Boy and 1980's Bad Luck Streak in Dancing School. After I realized my error that it was a totally different artist I began backtracking and trying to collect all of Bruce Cockburn's work as well.

    P.... A....

    1983, San Francisco

    P.... A....

    Zevon is excellent too. Omg.

  76. J.... P....

    24 people are still wondering where the lions are...

  77. A.... B....

    My husband and I have loved this song for many years. He just learned to play it and it is so great to hear him play especially at the end of the day as I head skyward to dreamland.

  78. V.... R....

    everytime my dad plays this song l feel sad

  79. G.... S....

    for some reason I thought this was from the late 90s

    G.... S....

    You probably remember it from ER

  80. A.... R....

    The lions are walking around with Kevin Richardson.

  81. J.... R....

    this song is about whatever YOU want it to be about! Every song has its own meaning, special to the listener. just enjoy the music. that's what it's for!

    J.... R....

    Jared Rowland Thanks for telling us how to enjoy music. But I think you're preaching to the Chior.

  82. E.... D....

    Funny surname.

    E.... D....

    Emmanuel Dunk Everybody Funny. Now you Funny too.

  83. J.... N....

    When your mom actually suggests a song you like.

  84. H.... ....

    my dad used to play this on guitar when I was little. 13 months ago he left this earth but this song brings me comfort and happiness. I sung it to him on his death bed it is very special to me

    H.... ....

    Laurie B sing it out loud and clear now, will clear your heart of pai! and now or when the smoke clears, your mom will hear it and we will all be one, one day! _O_X

    H.... ....

    Condolences and prayers

    H.... ....

    My dad cut me off for good.

    H.... ....

    :) I learned about this song from my dad shortly before he passed. It's been included on every playlist I've ever created. It is nice to see that somebody has a similar experience.

  85. J.... ....

    Great song, just heard it again in E.R when i watched a rerun

  86. R.... Y....

    Katimavik

  87. R.... B....

    Best track of my life, and believe me, I've heard a few. It sits just right.

    R.... B....

    hard to name another that rests easy on the soul like this

  88. m.... p....

    not familiar with Vancouver & the sights there but I took it being a Christian & how they used to feed Christians to the Lions

  89. T.... ....

    Great song!

  90. C.... Y....

    someone not afraid of dying

    C.... Y....

    what is to be scared of?

  91. P.... D....

    Older Cockburn, young cockburn - all good. Even with hidden lions.

    P.... D....

    Adorable comment :-)

    P.... D....

    at least they aren't blurred lions

  92. J.... S....

    does anyone have a
    great logic and guess to what the lyrics mean to this?
    such obscure lyrics, I tell ya.

    J.... S....

    Yep: The meaning is that hose joyous connections to life, living, the planet, even the occasional human harmony we experience give us the sense of graced courage that make the realities and fear of persecution, nuclear bungling, and human self-destruction remote and endurable things. Eat a peach, and mushroom clouds, cruelty, and madness seem almost trivial to Joy.

    J.... S....

    J.L. S.
    Lions= death

    Bruce is wondering about death ans eternity, but he does not fear the lions or death "theyre not nearly frightening as they were before", Brucr became a Christian around this time and knows he has,a home in Heaven. Its a nicer way of saying "Thinking about death."

    J.... S....

    Yes, the song is about not fearing death or change, because he knows that the universe is impermanent and always changing. Thinking about eternity has gotten him into a state of peaceful bliss. Whenever I worry about death I think of this song and it calms me down.

    J.... S....

    degree7 Bruce is brilliant, isnt he? Such a genuis songwriter. Possibly the most underrated artist of the 20th century.

    J.... S....

    Impermanence is the nature of existence. It is the reason for not clinging to or holding on to anything. We will try to do it, anyway. We learn that lesson eventually or become neurotic by resisting it.

  93. C.... ....

    I remember that this was one of my favorite songs growing up listening to.

  94. J.... T....

    FIRST  TIME I HEARD THIS SONG BRUCE COCKBURN GREAT SONG

    J.... T....

    Jason Toppin ok calm down

  95. H.... F....

    Classic will always be ... the fabric of what is my Life and so many more.

  96. g.... a....

    What a cool song. Evokes images of my youth and a simpler time. Thanks Mr. C.

  97. R.... L....

    wondering well the lions win

  98. p.... ....

    RIP Cecil

    p.... ....

    +porridgesilt Yes indeed. So very sad. Just recently another soulless person killed what may have been the largest elephant elephant left in the world. Will it ever end?

  99. S.... B....

    I read somewhere that this is actually about the process in which meerkats build their tunnels

  100. n.... ....

    This song saved my life back in the day....

    n.... ....

    I know what you mean..........

    n.... ....

    Weird to say but it gives the feel of renewal in life, for some memories of their loved ones, new beginnings, getting clean, etc...

    n.... ....

    Same here, many times.

    n.... ....

    Me too; almost literally. Hang in there, OK? :)

    n.... ....

    Never give up hope or your Faith!! Romans chapter 8 and Ephesians 4 changed my life ,set things in perspective!!Peace..