Bone in My Ear
Whispers of Longing: Bruce Cockburn's Melodic Tale of Love's Resonance
Lyrics
There's a bone in my ear
There's a persistent thought or sensation bothering the speaker.
Keeps singing your name
The thought continually reminds the speaker of someone specific.
Sometimes it's like pleasure
The feeling associated with the thought varies between enjoyment and distress.
Sometimes it's like pain
The emotions evoked by this thought fluctuate between pleasure and pain.
It's a small voice and quiet
Despite being subtle, the sensation is clear and distinct to the speaker.
But I hear it plain
The thought or feeling is not overpowering but is unmistakable.
There's a bone in my ear
Reiteration of the persistent nature of the thought or sensation.
Keeps singing your name
Emphasizes the continual repetition of the thought linked to someone's name.
In my heart there's a an image
The speaker holds a mental image in their heart, possibly an emotional memory.
Like looking through glass
Comparing the image to looking through glass suggests a sense of detachment or distance.
Could be looking at me
The image might reflect the person's perception of the speaker.
Could be looking right past
The image might not reflect the person's true perception of the speaker.
I don't like it when
Discomfort arises when unable to discern reality from perception.
I can't tell which is true
It's unsettling not being able to distinguish between reality and perception.
But I wouldn't trade the world
The speaker wouldn't trade their feelings for anything, even with the uncertainty.
For that picture of you
The image or memory holds immense value for the speaker.
Moon in the water
Describing different sensations and elements associated with the person.
Cold light in the streets
Imagery of contrasting feelings—cold light juxtaposed with warmth.
Warmth in your fingers
The physical sensations or experiences connected to the person.
Sweat in your sheets
Further sensory experiences associated with intimacy.
Laid out like an offering
Metaphorically presenting something offered or exposed at a significant juncture.
Where two currents meet
Symbolism of complexity and depth where emotions or situations converge.
The river is dark
Darkness symbolizes mystery or uncertainty, but the situation is appealing or alluring.
But the water is sweet
Despite the unknown, there's something attractive or positive about it.
Wailing on the mountain
Expressing emotional intensity or turmoil, likened to a wailing sound.
Smoke on the wind
Visual and olfactory elements depicting an attempt to mask or distract from the persistent thought.
Can't drown out the whisper
The distractions are ineffective in overshadowing the persistent feeling or memory.
Or the scent of your skin
Emphasizing the inability to escape the thought or memory associated with the person.
Don't know where it came from
The origin of the persistent feeling or memory is unknown to the speaker.
But I know where it came
Despite the unknown origin, the speaker knows the significance or impact of this feeling.
There's a bone in my ear
Reiterating the persistent, repetitive nature of the thought or sensation.
Keeps singing your name
Emphasizing the continual repetition of the thought linked to someone's name.
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