Editing Bruce Cockburn (section)

==Activism==
Cockburn's songwriting is often political, expressing concern for the environment and the welfare of indigenous peoples. ''[[Baker's Biographical Dictionary of Musicians]]'' writes, "Cockburn always risked an outspoken stand in his work, taking on issues and morality to the detriment of his popular appeal. No artist since [[Phil Ochs]] has taken such strong political stands."<ref>Bordowitz, Hank (2001). "Cockburn, Bruce." In N. Slonimsky & L. Kuhn (eds.), ''Baker's Biographical Dictionary of Musicians'' (Vol. 1, p. 673). New York: Schirmer.  ''Gale Virtual Reference Library'' (accessed June 5, 2018).</ref> He has worked with relief agency [[Oxfam]], travelling to Central America in 1983, and with the [[International Campaign to Ban Landmines]]. The song "Mines of Mozambique" (''The Charity of Night'') reflects his observations of that country during a visit in 1995. Cockburn is affiliated with the [[Unitarian Service Committee]] of Canada, twice visiting Nepal with the charity, in 1987 and 2007.<ref>Allen, p. 80</ref>

Songs on these themes include "[[If I Had a Rocket Launcher]]" (''Stealing Fire''), an angry response to the plight of refugees in Central America; "Stolen Land" (''Waiting for a Miracle''), about the [[aboriginal land claims|land claims]] of British Columbia's [[Haida people]]; and "If a Tree Falls" (''Big Circumstance'')—one of Cockburn's best-known songs—decrying the [[Deforestation of the Amazon rainforest|deforestation of the Amazon]].<ref>Allen, pp. 81–83</ref>