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
Brandon From Ithica
Craig Cardiff Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
at the coffeeshop to pour the people out
to drink all the coffee and read through the papers
about the famous coming domn
the couple two rows up to the left didn't move
as i passed they just lay sleeping in
to one another like the way birds cluster all together
when facing wind
she was like a camera he a 'b' film
both pretty faced but hard
from smoking too much and waiting too long
and from all the things that life does to break your heart
i told you so don't say i didn't tell you so.
i listened to them all the way westbound
under gold blankets and blue fields
with our sally ann jackets, and their pillows and backpacks
she turned into him like a shield
from the stories of santa claus drunk stuck in the chimney
and the deer they lost making them fly
and how bb king rode the bus to his gig 'cause he was broke
and how sometimes it's ok to cry and
i swear it rains there all the time she says
first thing we'll take a room to keep dry
o we'll find a bed and put us in it
but it'll feel like home in no time
what if there's not much more than this
i'd like to share it with you.
say, with your 100$ dollars and my 100$ dollars i'm sure...
sure... sure that we'll pull through
i told you so
don't say i didn't tell you so.
i told you so
The song "Brandon From Ithica" by Craig Cardiff reflects on a journey taken on a bus from Ithica to Brandon in the company of two people. The song paints a vivid image of the bus ride and the people on it. The opening lines describe the bus stop in Brandon, which is miles from Ithica, and how people got off to drink coffee and read the papers. The couple sitting two rows up from the left is described as sleeping, leaning on each other, resembling birds that cluster together in the face of the wind.
The couple is portrayed as pretty-faced yet innately hard, damaged and scarred from life's experiences. The lyrics caution that this is the kind of thing that happens when you smoke too much and wait for too long. The journey continues as they travel "westbound under gold blankets and blue fields" where they share stories of Santa Claus, deer, BB King, and crying. The song features lyrics that contemplate the meaning of life and the satisfaction of spending it with someone you care about.
The final lines emphasize the importance of the bond created between people sharing their journey, their stories, and their lives. The singer suggests that even if there is not much more to life than this, they can pull through anything as long as they are together. "Brandon From Ithica" is a poignant ode to the beauty of human connection and companionship.
Line by Line Meaning
the bus stopped in brandon miles from ithica
The bus arrived at Brandon which is miles away from Ithaca.
at the coffeeshop to pour the people out
The bus stopped at a coffee shop for people to get out.
to drink all the coffee and read through the papers
People got out to drink coffee and read the newspapers.
about the famous coming domn
The newspapers had stories about a famous person coming.
the couple two rows up to the left didn't move
A couple two rows up didn't move from their seats.
as i passed they just lay sleeping in
The couple was sleeping as the singer passed.
to one another like the way birds cluster all together
The couple was huddled together like a flock of birds.
when facing wind
Birds huddle together to protect themselves against the wind.
she was like a camera he a 'b' film
The woman was like a camera, the man like a low-budget film.
both pretty faced but hard
Both were attractive but had been through difficult experiences.
from smoking too much and waiting too long
They were hardened from smoking and waiting for things to happen.
and from all the things that life does to break your heart
Their emotional toughness came from life experiences that had hurt them.
i told you so don't say i didn't tell you so.
The singer warned the couple about the difficulties of life.
i listened to them all the way westbound
The singer listened to the couple talk during the westbound journey.
under gold blankets and blue fields
The couple and the singer were traveling through a beautiful landscape.
with our sally ann jackets, and their pillows and backpacks
They were wearing warm jackets and carrying pillows and backpacks.
she turned into him like a shield
The woman leaned into the man for comfort and protection.
from the stories of santa claus drunk stuck in the chimney
They talked about funny holiday stories like Santa getting stuck in a chimney.
and the deer they lost making them fly
They also discussed tales of deer making people fly.
and how bb king rode the bus to his gig 'cause he was broke
They shared a story about legendary musician BB King riding the bus because he was broke.
and how sometimes it's ok to cry
They acknowledged that it's okay to cry sometimes.
and i swear it rains there all the time she says
The woman stated that it rains frequently in the location they were traveling to.
first thing we'll take a room to keep dry
They planned to rent a room to stay dry from the rain.
o we'll find a bed and put us in it
They would find a bed to sleep in.
but it'll feel like home in no time
They were optimistic that the new place would feel like home soon.
what if there's not much more than this
The singer wondered if there was much more to life than what they were experiencing.
i'd like to share it with you.
The singer wanted to share whatever life had to offer with the couple.
say, with your 100$ dollars and my 100$ dollars i'm sure...
The singer suggested that they pool their money together to get through tough times.
sure... sure that we'll pull through
The singer was confident that they would overcome challenges together.
i told you so
The singer repeated the warning to the couple.
don't say i didn't tell you so.
The singer didn't want to be blamed if things went wrong.
Contributed by Jasmine R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.