With guitar in hand, Craig can turn any setting into an intimate affair, infusing his music and lyrics with an uncompromising humanism rarely seen in today's production-heavy climate.
Craig makes it a point to keep the relationship with his fans personal, inviting and accepting any opportunity to make his audience as much a part of the performance as he is. Don't be surprised if one day you find yourself enjoying one of Craig's renowned shows in the comfort of your own living room.
In 2012, Cardiff was nominated for a Juno Award for Roots and Traditional Album of the Year: Solo, and for a Canadian Folk Music Award as Contemporary Singer of the Year.
For more information, tour dates, and music, please visit the official Craig Cardiff site.
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Craig Cardiff's Bandcamp page
Africville
Craig Cardiff Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All the mothers took their children out so far away,
Down by the boats where you said I need you the most
And young lovers walk hand in hand
The beaches boardwalk oceans and sand and she says
'Do you love?' and he says 'yes I love' indeed
Blood carries love rages like a storm
Holds you, throws you without warning
It meant nothing to you then,
It means nothing to you now
If you're leaving, don't you dare leave me now,
In africville.
Young lovers walk hand in hand
Beach and the boardwalk and ocean sand
They say ‘do you love’ and they say ‘yes I love’ indeed
Letters sent, letters received
One for you and one for me
That said ‘do you love’ and I said ‘yes I love’ indeed
Blood carries love rages like a storm
And it leads you out in life without any warning
It meant nothing to you then,
It means nothing to you now
If you're leaving, don't you dare leave me now,
In africville.
The lyrics to the song Africville by Craig Cardiff tell a story of love and memories set in the backdrop of the historic community Africville in Nova Scotia, Canada. The opening lines, "Light broke in Africville, all the mothers took their children out so far away, down by the boats where you said I need you the most" paints a picture of a community coming to life in the morning. The mention of "mothers" and "children" suggests the close-knit nature of the community, where neighbors were like family. The reference to boats and needing someone the most create an image of a couple who possibly work in or around the water, implying their dependence on each other.
Throughout the song, there are mentions of young lovers walking hand in hand, enjoying the beach, boardwalk, and sand. The chorus, "Blood carries love rages like a storm, holds you, throws you without warning" is powerful imagery of the intensity of emotions. The phrase, "it meant nothing to you then, it means nothing to you now" indicates that the love between the couple might not have lasted. The plea in the final lines, "if you're leaving, don't you dare leave me now, in Africville" adds an element of desperation for the singer. It is almost as though the community of Africville is a character in the story. It holds a deep significance to the singer, who wants to hold onto it even as the person they love slips away from them.
Line by Line Meaning
Light broke in Africville
The sun rose in Africville, bringing light to the community
All the mothers took their children out so far away
Mothers took their children to the outskirts of Africville to keep them safe
Down by the boats where you said I need you the most
Near the docks where moments of emotional reliance and need were shared
And young lovers walk hand in hand
Young couples stroll together, holding hands
The beaches boardwalk oceans and sand and she says
The beauty of the beach, boardwalk, ocean, and sand captivates the couple
'Do you love?' and he says 'yes I love' indeed
She asks him if he loves her, and he replies with an affirmative response
Blood carries love rages like a storm
Love can be passionate and intense like a storm
Holds you, throws you without warning
Love can lift you up or tear you down unexpectedly
It meant nothing to you then,
In the past, love was not as significant to you
It means nothing to you now
Currently, love does not hold the same importance to you
If you're leaving, don't you dare leave me now,
If you are departing, please do not abandon me in this moment
In Africville.
This plea is specific to the community of Africville.
Letters sent, letters received
Correspondence exchanged between individuals
One for you and one for me
A letter for each party involved
That said ‘do you love’ and I said ‘yes I love’ indeed
The letters contain questions and answers pertaining to romantic love
And it leads you out in life without any warning
Love can also guide your decisions in life without notice
Contributed by Stella G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.