Top Ten Songs Buffett Covered: Pacing the Cage (#4)

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I love Jimmy Buffett, but I have nothing on @NJChicaa and her admiration of the King of Margaritaville. When I mentioned the song “Christmas Island” she said she didn’t know it was a cover (Ernest Tubb originally did it back in the 40s, about the time Buffett was born). So I thought I’d treat her to the original versions of ten favorite songs that Buffett has covered over his long career. Here’s today’s song. #4: Pacing the Cage - Bruce Cockburn I’ll begin by saying THANK YOU, CANADA for sharing this genius with the world. I got to meet him, briefly, in 1980 when he opened for Warren Zevon. (How’s that for a one-two punch?) That was when Cockburn’s minor hit “Wonderin’ Where the Lions Are” was on the charts. Although Cockburn (pronounce CO-burn) isn’t well known outside of the Americana and singer/songwriter circles in the US, that doesn’t mean he’s not influential. U2 referenced one of his songs (“Lovers in a Dangerous Time”) in “God Part II.” He has been awarded the Order of Canada for his contributions to music. I was a little surprised to see that Buffett had covered this (and it’s not the only Cockburn song he’s covered, too), but it’s a pleasant surprise. Buffett’s cover is faithful and just as beautiful as the original. Kudos to Buffett for introducing this marvelous song to a larger audience. Pacing the Cage Written by Bruce Cockburn Recorded by Bruce Cockburn From The Charity of Night, 1997 Covered by Buffett on Beach House on the Moon, 1999 In the constitution of the age: