Craig Cardiff (born 9 July 1976 in Waterloo, Ontario) is a Canadian folk si… Read Full Bio ↴Craig Cardiff (born 9 July 1976 in Waterloo, Ontario) is a Canadian folk singer who is known for his soft voice and digital vocal and guitar loops and for the connections he makes with his fans. In 2012, he 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". His first release was in 1997.

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

Lion And The Dragon
Craig Cardiff Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

How do you say I don't know
When your mouth is full of words
How do you say I'm not and never will be sure
Without sounding absurd

And here it is 3 A.M.
And you're the one I always call when I get like this
And you'll likely always be the one

I call to clean up the mess

And I could be the lion to your dragon
A river to your ocean
The moon stuck in your sky
And calm to your commotion

The lion to your dragon
A river to your ocean
The moon stuck in your sky
And a calm to your commotion

As long as I, as I could be me

I can't explain why it's taken me this long
To sort it all out
And to push and pull together into a song

I'm the boy who sat in the back
I am the boy who'd walk you home
I am your secret admirer
I am the unsigned poem

And I could be the lion to your dragon
The river to your ocean
The moon stuck in your sky
The calm to your commotion

The lion to your dragon
The river to your ocean
The moon stuck in your sky
And the calm to your commotion

As long as I, as I could be me

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Craig Cardiff's "Lion And The Dragon" express a sense of uncertainty and vulnerability in a relationship. The singer struggles to express their lack of knowledge or assurance without sounding foolish. The opening lines reflect this dilemma, questioning how to convey their uncertainties when they are constantly surrounded by a barrage of words. It speaks to the difficulties of communication and honesty in a relationship, particularly when there is a fear of being misunderstood or judged.

The song also touches upon the theme of reliance and dependence on someone else during moments of vulnerability. The singer describes how, in the midst of their struggles and uncertainties, it is always this person that they turn to for support and comfort, regardless of the time of day. This person becomes their confidant, the one who helps them clean up the messes they create. It highlights the importance of having someone in our lives who we can trust and rely on during challenging times.

The chorus brings forth a powerful metaphorical comparison, where the singer explores their potential role in the other person's life. They envision themselves as the lion to the dragon, the river to the ocean, the moon in the sky, and the calm amidst the chaos. It reflects their desire to be a source of strength, stability, and serenity in the other person's life. The repeated phrase "As long as I, as I could be me" emphasizes that they want to remain true to themselves while being a support system for their partner.

Overall, "Lion And The Dragon" captures the complexities of relationships, the struggle for honest communication, and the desire to be a source of support and stability for someone we care about.

Line by Line Meaning

How do you say I don't know
How can I express uncertainty

When your mouth is full of words
When you always have something to say

How do you say I'm not and never will be sure
How can I admit my lack of certainty

Without sounding absurd
Without sounding ridiculous

And here it is 3 A.M.
In these late hours of the night

And you're the one I always call when I get like this
You're the person I turn to in moments like these

And you'll likely always be the one
And it's probable that you'll always be the one

I call to clean up the mess
I contact to help me fix my problems

And I could be the lion to your dragon
I could be the strength to complement your power

A river to your ocean
A constant presence in your vastness

The moon stuck in your sky
A consistent source of light in your life