S$# 024 Burton Cummings | With God On Our Side

He's written dozens of great songs, but Burton Cummings also likes to cover the songs of other artists. From his time with first band, the Deverons, to The Guess Who's tenure as house band on the TV show Let's Go, to some of his more recent concerts with the Carpet Frogs, Burton has always delivered great cover renditions.

He had performed Bob Dylan's With God On Our Side many times at least as far back as 1991, but when Burton decided to release a single in 2004, the time seemed right to use this song. With all the fighting in many parts of the world, often in the name of religion, Dylan's brilliant lyrics seemed especially à propos:

But now we got weapons
Of the chemical dust
If fire them we're forced to
Then fire them we must
One push of the button
And a shot the world wide
And you never ask questions
When God's on your side
...

So now as I'm leavin'
I'm weary as Hell
The confusion I'm feelin'
Ain't no tongue can tell
The words fill my head
And drop to the floor
If God's on our side
He'll stop the next war.

If you're not aware that Burton released a single in 2004, I'm not surprised. The disc was really under the radar. BMG did nothing to promote it, and it's received no airplay. Burton appeared on one radio station in Winnipeg to plug it, but that's it. He has not performed it any of the live performances he's done since (though he had the perfect chance when he played at the opening of the new MTS Centre in the 'Peg in November 2004). He says he doesn't want to force new music on his fans; they're there to hear the songs they know.

So I wonder why he released the disc at all. But I'm glad he did. He does a passionate read of the song. Some fans have criticized the production. As far as I know, it's just him on keyboards, rhythm guitar and percussion, with a drum machine. I think this suits the song, though. The b-side, The Brycer, is ok. It's about a guy he knew in Winnipeg.

Buy it if you can find a copy.