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
Last Love Letter
Craig Cardiff Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
written but never sent,
instead made to wait
held for fear that it
was not the strongest key
to unlock your heart
too frail; broken; to even start.
the time that you called
broken open, saying please
you said ‘i'm open, ready'
the time that you wore
your heart on your sleeve
saying ‘is there any room for me?'
let this be the last
love letter never sent
let this be the last love letter
received but never read.
instead made to wait,
for fear that the heart was too small to hold
so instead it was folded into a book.
then book onto shelf, shelf into box
packed away with everything else
until the years piled and grew
heart held in sling
slow and steady
tired of remembering
the time that you wore
your heart on your sleeve
saying ‘is there any room for me?'
let this be the last
love letter never read
dear you,
this started as a letter
that i wrote in the hopes
soon things would get better
but they did not.
you said burn these tin foil wings
cardboard crowns
you said let them fall,
burn the whole thing down,
but leave me the soul
because the soul knows how to sing
the simplest songs
to explain everything
The lyrics of Craig Cardiff's song Last Love Letter is a poignant reflection on the vulnerability of the heart when it comes to love. The singer is expressing his wish that this be the last love letter that he ever writes, but he never really sends it. Instead, it is kept waiting, stored away in fear that it may not be strong enough to unlock the person he loves. The singer acknowledges that his heart is frail and broken, unable even to start. But the time comes when the person he loves calls out to him, saying that they are ready and open to love. The singer sees the hope in this and wears his heart on his sleeve, asking, “is there any room for me?”. However, despite this, over time, the love letter remains unread, packed away with everything else. The singer is tired of remembering, holding his heart in a sling, and wishing that this be the last love letter never read.
Throughout the song, there is an underlying sense of frustration and despair as the singer is unable to communicate his true feelings to the one he loves. He is trapped in an emotional purgatory, writing letters that may never be read, and unable to move forward. The use of the metaphor of the heart being too small to hold hints at the idea that the person he loves is unable to receive his love. The inscription "let this be the last love letter never sent" suggests that the singer has reached the end of his tether and that he needs to move on from the unrequited love that is holding him back.
Line by Line Meaning
Let this be the last love letter
This should be the last letter written out of love
written but never sent,
Written but not intended to be sent
instead made to wait
Kept and reserved for a while
held for fear that it
was not the strongest key
Reserved because it was thought to be weak to win your heart
to unlock your heart
To make you fall in love
too frail; broken; to even start.
Not strong enough to initiate love
the time that you called
broken open, saying please
The time you cried in despair for help
you said ‘i'm open, ready'
You gave your heart and were set for love
the time that you wore
your heart on your sleeve
When you showed your emotions openly
saying ‘is there any room for me?'
Wondering if there was space for love in my heart
let this be the last
love letter never sent
Let this be the final letter written and kept to oneself
let this be the last love letter
received but never read.
This should be the last written letter, received but unread
for fear that the heart was too small to hold
Being too anxious that my heart would not handle the emotions
so instead it was folded into a book.
It is reserved in a book to keep it safe
then book onto shelf, shelf into box
packed away with everything else
until the years piled and grew
It was stored and packed together with other stuff until it got old
heart held in sling
slow and steady
tired of remembering
The heart was kept, but became weary of the memories it bore
dear you,
A salutation to you, my love
this started as a letter
that i wrote in the hopes
soon things would get better
but they did not.
I wrote this letter in the hope that our love would blossom, but sadly it did not
you said burn these tin foil wings
cardboard crowns
you said let them fall,
burn the whole thing down,
but leave me the soul
You asked me to forget all vain pursuits of love and only love your soul
because the soul knows how to sing
the simplest songs
to explain everything
The soul can express love in its purest form and convey it in the simplest way
Contributed by Chase E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Cory K
LYRICS:
VERSE
Let this be the last
Love letter written but never sent, Instead made to wait
Held for fear it was not the key
To unlock your heart,
And open up the chest,
Too frail;
Broken;
And not the best
CHORUS
Just like
The time that you wore
Your heart on your sleeve
Saying ‘Hey, is there any room for me?'
Oh
And just like
The time that you called
Broken open,
'Please'
You said ‘I am open, I am ready’
Let this be the last love
Letter never sent
Never sent
Never sent
Never sent
VERSE
And let this be the last
Love letter received but never read.
Instead made to wait,
Oh for fear that the heart could not hold
Instead folded into a book.
Then book up to shelf,
Shelf to box
Packed with everything else
CHORUS
Until the years -
Years piled and grew
With a heart held in a sling
Slow and steady and remembering
Just like
The time that you wore
Your heart on your sleeve
Saying ‘Is there room? I am open, I am ready!’
Oh
And Let this be the last love
Letter never read
Never read
Never read
Never read
VERSE
Dear you,
Well this started as a letter that I wrote
In the hopes that
Soon things would get better
But they did not.
All the tin foil wings
And the tin foil crowns
'Burn them all' You said,
'Burn them all down.
But leave me the soul.'
The soul knows how to sing
The simple song
That explains everything.
The Heart knows it too
The heart knows how to sing, When the head only knows what it knows.
What it knows from remembering.
Let this be the last love
Letter never read.
Cory K
LYRICS:
VERSE
Let this be the last
Love letter written but never sent, Instead made to wait
Held for fear it was not the key
To unlock your heart,
And open up the chest,
Too frail;
Broken;
And not the best
CHORUS
Just like
The time that you wore
Your heart on your sleeve
Saying ‘Hey, is there any room for me?'
Oh
And just like
The time that you called
Broken open,
'Please'
You said ‘I am open, I am ready’
Let this be the last love
Letter never sent
Never sent
Never sent
Never sent
VERSE
And let this be the last
Love letter received but never read.
Instead made to wait,
Oh for fear that the heart could not hold
Instead folded into a book.
Then book up to shelf,
Shelf to box
Packed with everything else
CHORUS
Until the years -
Years piled and grew
With a heart held in a sling
Slow and steady and remembering
Just like
The time that you wore
Your heart on your sleeve
Saying ‘Is there room? I am open, I am ready!’
Oh
And Let this be the last love
Letter never read
Never read
Never read
Never read
VERSE
Dear you,
Well this started as a letter that I wrote
In the hopes that
Soon things would get better
But they did not.
All the tin foil wings
And the tin foil crowns
'Burn them all' You said,
'Burn them all down.
But leave me the soul.'
The soul knows how to sing
The simple song
That explains everything.
The Heart knows it too
The heart knows how to sing, When the head only knows what it knows.
What it knows from remembering.
Let this be the last love
Letter never read.
Craig Cardiff - Music
thanks for supporting this music! pls consider subscribing to the channel. - cc
John T
One of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard. An undiscovered gem. That rare find of poetry and music blended perfectly...being distilled by time. Craig's performance - an evocative treasure hidden in plain sight...
Craig Cardiff - Music
we're putting together a re-release as a single outside of north america with a new video as well. more soon!
Civilknight
Been listening to this song and this album for years. So powerful. Got me through hard and great times. Thanks Craig!
Chau Duong
The lyrics is purely poetry and aching at the same time
Julia Brown
why is there only two comments on this video? this song is absolutely amazing ❤
Craig Cardiff - Music
thanks julia - appreciate the support - please considering subscribing - check out 'lake michigan'
Craig Cardiff - Music
that's ok -
-ЯISEN-
Most of Craig's stuff is amazing. Honestly.