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.
Partick Artists
Craig Cardiff's Bandcamp page
All This Time Running
Craig Cardiff Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Like if the head's a lamp, is the heart a compass?
Does the soul swallow?
Do the ghosts spit down from heaven where the angels live?
The whole time that I've been running
It was never away, was always coming back to you, coming back to you
And does the soul stretch, crack under the weight of all the missed lines
Wonderings, hesitations
All I know is that I'm done with waiting
I needed you to know how there was nevеr any doubt
The head's a lamp, the hеart's a compass
The whole time that I've been running
It was never away, was always coming back to you, coming back to you
The whole time that I've been running
It was never away, was always coming back to you, coming back to you
Glory and wonder all fills the head
Is it fucking fighting, is it all there is?
All the missed lines, wondering hesitations
All I know is that I'm done with waiting
I needed you to know how there was never any doubt (how if)
The head's a lamp, the heart's a compass
The head's a lamp, the heart's a compass
The whole time that I've been running
It was never away, was always coming back to you, coming back to you
The whole time that I've been running
It was never away, was always coming back to you, coming back to you
Oh, there was never any doubt
The head's a lamp, the heart's a compass
The head's a lamp, the heart's a compass
These lyrics from Craig Cardiff's song "All This Time Running" seem to contemplate the nature of the soul and the journey one takes to find their place in the world. The song starts with a series of questions that suggest a search for direction and meaning. The idea of the "head as a lamp" and the "heart as a compass" implies that these internal tools are necessary for finding one's way, but it's not clear whether or not they always work properly. The references to ghosts and angels add a spiritual dimension to the song, questioning whether or not these beings have any impact on one's journey.
The chorus about running and coming back to someone indicates that perhaps the journey is not only about finding oneself, but also about returning to a loved one. The repetition of this chorus emphasizes the cyclical nature of the journey, implying that no matter how far one may stray, they will always return to where they belong. The bridge of the song mentions "glory and wonder" filling the head, but questions whether or not this is all there is to life. The final repetition of the "head as a lamp, the heart as a compass" line reinforces the idea that these are the tools we have to navigate our lives, and perhaps that is enough.
Line by Line Meaning
Can a song start out with a question?
Can the beginning of a song be marked by an inquiry?
Like if the head's a lamp, is the heart a compass?
Similar to how a lamp helps you see, does the heart help you navigate?
Does the soul swallow?
Is it possible for the soul to take in and absorb?
Do the ghosts spit down from heaven where the angels live?
Do the spirits residing where angels dwell, pour out or release from above?
The whole time that I've been running
It was never away, was always coming back to you, coming back to you
Throughout all my running, I realized I wasn't going away, I was always coming back to you
Who sees the soul? Does it have hands and fingers
And does the soul stretch, crack under the weight of all the missed lines
Wonderings, hesitations
All I know is that I'm done with waiting
Who actually sees the soul? Does it have the ability to stretch or break with regret and indecision? All I know is that after waiting for a long time, it's time to take action.
I needed you to know how there was never any doubt
The head's a lamp, the heart's a compass
I just wanted you to understand how certain I was the whole time. The head illuminates your thoughts, and the heart acts as a guide.
Glory and wonder all fills the head
Is it fucking fighting, is it all there is?
All the missed lines, wondering hesitations
All I know is that I'm done with waiting
The head can be filled with amazement and splendor, but is it always necessary to put up a fight? After being uncertain and indecisive for so long, it's time to just take action.
The whole time that I've been running
It was never away, was always coming back to you, coming back to you
Through all my running, I never truly went away, I always came back to you
Oh, there was never any doubt
The head's a lamp, the heart's a compass
The head's a lamp, the heart's a compass
There was never any question in my mind. The head and heart are both important - to help us see and guide us along our way.
Writer(s): Craig Cardiff
Contributed by Allison O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Trial Conesiaur
Can a song start out with a question?
Like if the head’s a lamp, is the heart a compass?
Does the soul swallow? do the ghosts spit
Down from heaven where the angels live?
The whole time that i’ve been running
Was never away from, was
Always coming back to, back to you
Who sees the soul? does it have hands and fingers
And does the soul stretch? crack under the weight of
All the missed lines, wonderings hesitations
All i know is that i‘m done with waiting
I needed you to know how
There was nevеr any doubt [how if
The head’s a lamp the hеart’s a compass
The whole time that i’ve been running
Was never away from, was
Always coming back to, back to you
Glory and wonder awe fills the head
Is it loving or fighting is this all there is?
All the missed lines, wonderings hesitations
All i know is that i‘m done with waiting
I needed you to know how
There was never any doubt [how if
The head’s a lamp the heart’s a compass
The whole time that i’ve been running
Was never away from, was
Always coming back to, back to you
Trial Conesiaur
Can a song start out with a question?
Like if the head’s a lamp, is the heart a compass?
Does the soul swallow? do the ghosts spit
Down from heaven where the angels live?
The whole time that i’ve been running
Was never away from, was
Always coming back to, back to you
Who sees the soul? does it have hands and fingers
And does the soul stretch? crack under the weight of
All the missed lines, wonderings hesitations
All i know is that i‘m done with waiting
I needed you to know how
There was nevеr any doubt [how if
The head’s a lamp the hеart’s a compass
The whole time that i’ve been running
Was never away from, was
Always coming back to, back to you
Glory and wonder awe fills the head
Is it loving or fighting is this all there is?
All the missed lines, wonderings hesitations
All i know is that i‘m done with waiting
I needed you to know how
There was never any doubt [how if
The head’s a lamp the heart’s a compass
The whole time that i’ve been running
Was never away from, was
Always coming back to, back to you
Trentonius Maximus
Absolutely stellar, why doesn't this have more views??
QíliaBall (Zankiu)
I LOVE THE MUSIC!
Mateus
Muito bom
Joseph Lambert
So very very wonderful !
brian curtis
thanks for giving the link to this track, great keep up the work, looking forward to hear more
Max Santalucia Music
Hey man. Congrats! What an enjoyable song!!!
Folk Roots and Blues
Loving this video!
Best Playlists Ever
What an awesome track and video! We've featured it on our Comfort Songs playlist if you want to hear similar tracks! - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-ntK3MOBOs6UOEBdkuXny7c5SL5q2Y31
natasha betts
Oh my goodness I'm in love love this xxxxxxd