I don't know if Bruce and the band will play this one but I hope they do. IMO it's among his best. Like most artists, he did most of his best work at a young age. Here is a late addition to the short list of songs he will be remembered for.

You know who's a big Bruce Springsteen fan? Pat Riley. I would not have guessed that. For those who do not closely monitor American sports (ahem), he was a basketball player and later a very successful NBA coach. His last gig was with the Miami Heat, leading them to a championship over the favored San Antonio Spurs. He goes to Springsteen concerts and had "The Rising" pumped in over the PA as the Heat took the court. I thought that was pretty cool. Control freak, every hair lacquered in place, designer suits, but a Bruce fan. It's a big tent.

Which is neither here not there, of course, just an anecdote hinting at Bruce's unasked-for influence over his fans. It isn't a cult, just a really big fan group.

Enjoy the show!

THE RISING

Can't see nothin' in front of me
Can't see nothin' coming up behind
I make my way through this darkness
I can't feel nothing but this chain that binds me
Lost track of how far I've gone
How far I've gone, how high I've climbed
On my back's a sixty pound stone
On my shoulder a half mile line

Come on up for the rising
Com on up, lay your hands in mine
Come on up for the rising
Come on up for the rising tonight

Left the house this morning
Bells ringing filled the air
Wearin' the cross of my calling
On wheels of fire I come rollin' down here

Come on up for the rising
Come on up, lay your hands in mine
Come on up for the rising
Come on up for the rising tonight

Li,li, li,li,li,li, li,li,li

Spirits above and behind me
Faces gone, black eyes burnin' bright
May their precious blood forever bind me
Lord as I stand before your fiery light

Li,li, li,li,li,li, li,li,li

I see you Mary in the garden
In the garden of a thousand sighs
There's holy pictures of our children
Dancin' in a sky filled with light
May I feel your arms around me
May I feel your blood mix with mine
A dream of life comes to me
Like a catfish dancin' on the end of the line

Sky of blackness and sorrow ( a dream of life)
Sky of love, sky of tears (a dream of life)
Sky of glory and sadness ( a dream of life)
Sky of mercy, sky of fear ( a dream of life)
Sky of memory and shadow ( a dream of life)
Your burnin' wind fills my arms tonight
Sky of longing and emptiness (a dream of life)
Sky of fullness, sky of blessed life ( a dream of life)

Come on up for the rising
Come on up, lay your hands in mine
Come on up for the rising
Come on up for the rising tonight

Li,li, li,li,li,li, li,li,li