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
Circus
Craig Cardiff Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I thought all the doors had been closed
But now that you're here
I don't think I can stand to see you go
And I am only I am only I am only I
And you are only you
We are only we
For a little while
With the night as our blanket
And the ghosts in the yard
When you lean in close and say
"I think we can go far"
Me, I'm always drowning in the
The water and the whiskey and the wine and
And look how I've managed to
To make a circus of us this time
And you say "I am only I am only I
And you are only you
And we are only we
For a little while"
With the night as our blanket
And the ghosts in the yard
And you lean in close and say
"I think we can go far"
In "Circus," Craig Cardiff paints a picture of vulnerability and intimacy as he explores the fleeting nature of relationships. The song starts with him expressing surprise at the entrance of someone into his life who he thought he had closed the doors on. Despite his initial resistance, he can't bear the thought of seeing them go now that they are here. The chorus emphasizes the transient nature of their connection, as they are only themselves, only together, for a while.
The second verse introduces a melancholic tone as Craig describes feeling overwhelmed by his vices - the water, whiskey, and wine. It seems as though he's struggling in his life, but his lover, who is also flawed, encourages him and tells him that they can go far together. The repetition of "I am only I am only I" and "you are only you" underscores the importance of embracing oneself, embracing one's imperfections, and fully accepting the person in front of them despite each other's faults.
Line by Line Meaning
How did you sneak in
I did not expect to see you here, how did you manage to come in unnoticed?
I thought all the doors had been closed
I believed that there was no possibility of you entering, all entrances were blocked
But now that you're here
Since you are actually present now
I don't think I can stand to see you go
I have grown attached now and I don't think I would be able to bear the idea of you leaving
And I am only I am only I am only I
I am just myself
And you are only you
You are simply yourself
We are only we
Together, we are just us
For a little while
This is not a forever lasting thing, but temporary
With the night as our blanket
The night has wrapped around us like a comforting blanket
And the ghosts in the yard
There are memories and thoughts haunting us in this moment
When you lean in close and say
As you get nearer, you speak to me quietly
"I think we can go far"
You express to me that there is a chance we might achieve great things
Me, I'm always drowning in the
I have a tendency to get consumed by
The water and the whiskey and the wine and
Excessive intake of drinks is something that drags me down
And look how I've managed to
Only to show a stand up comic type of result
To make a circus of us this time
This time I have created a scene that is quite chaotic
And you say "I am only I am only I
And you voice your belief to me
And you are only you
That we are only ourselves individually
And we are only we
That when we come together, we are just us
For a little while"
However, this will be for just a little amount of time
With the night as our blanket
This moment is further embellished by the envelopment of the night
And the ghosts in the yard
Although reminiscing with certain hidden thoughts and moments
And you lean in close and say
As you come closer, you let me know with emphasis
"I think we can go far"
That you still hold the belief that we can both reach the place we wish to be in
Contributed by Adalyn S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.