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
Safe Here
Craig Cardiff Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Our words came out sharp like edges of knives
When all we needed was to talk things through
This is the part where we learn that love is
Not what we say but what we do
VERSE 2
This is my country
There are so many things we need to change
It’d be too easy to let them overwhelm us
It’d be too easy to let things stay the same
CHORUS
Am I Safe Here (yes you’re safe here)
Am I needed here (yes you’re safe here)
VERSE 3
They convinced us that this was not our problem
None of our concern
And then they chiselled and chiselled until everything we loved and everything we earned was taken away – we let them take it all away
VERSE 4
This is my country
This is your country too
There are so many things we need to change
It’d be too easy to let it overwhelm us
It’d be too easy to let things stay the same
CHORUS
Am I Safe Here (yes you’re safe here)
Am I needed here (yes you’re safe here)
REFRAIN
While we stood and argued
About the cost (of it)
Look how we let it slip out the backdoor
What was the price of what we lost?
VERSE 5
You won’t remember any of these meetings
Any of the things you did or did not own
This is the part where we learn that love is
Not having to do this on your own.
VERSE 6
This is my country
This is your country too
There are so many things we need to change
It’d be too easy to let it overwhelm us
It’d be too easy to let things stay the same
CHORUS
Am I Safe Here (yes you’re safe here)
Am I needed here (yes you’re safe here)
Am I Loved Here (yes you’re loved here)
Am I needed here (yes you’re safe here)
The lyrics of "Safe Here" by Craig Cardiff talk about two different themes, but both are presented under the same light of safety, love, and belonging. The first theme is the need for effective communication and cooperation within a relationship. The first verse describes how words can be hurtful when people fail to talk everything through, and they become abrasive and divisive, like the sharp edges of knives. The second theme is about social activism and the need for a united front to effect change. The second verse captures this idea of inclusive participation, where everyone has a stake in making things better; "This is my country, this is your country too."
The lyrics highlight the dangers of apathy, where we allow things to remain as they are instead of taking a stand or fighting for justice. In verse three, "they" represents people that try to create divisions, to demonize specific groups, and to perpetrate oppression. When people fall for their trap, they lose everything they hold close to their hearts. The refrain emphasizes how we argue and focus on money (cost) while important things, such as values, justice, and freedom, are left unattended.
The song ends with the idea that we are all in this together, and no one needs to go through hardships alone. The song's musical arrangement is simple, mostly letting the lyrics and the voice take center stage, but it also features a blend of guitar and violin, which creates an emotional and touching melody. The overall message is clear — we need to be safe, feel loved, and belong to something bigger to make a difference.
Line by Line Meaning
Our words came out sharp like edges of knives
We spoke harshly and with ill intent when a simple conversation would have sufficed.
When all we needed was to talk things through
A conversation would have easily resolved the situation.
This is the part where we learn that love is
We are realizing that love is not merely expressed through words but through action.
Not what we say but what we do
Love is not something that we can merely speak into existence, but it requires action and effort on our part.
This is my country
The country that I belong to.
This is your country too
You also belong to this country with me.
There are so many things we need to change
There are numerous things that require the collective effort of everyone to improve.
It’d be too easy to let them overwhelm us
It is effortless to permit the numerous challenges that we face to consume us entirely.
It’d be too easy to let things stay the same
It is very convenient to allow the status quo to remain even though it needs to change.
Am I Safe Here (yes you’re safe here)
You are protected, and nothing harmful will occur to you here.
Am I needed here (yes you’re safe here)
Your presence is valuable and necessary.
They convinced us that this was not our problem
Someone convinced both of us that this issue was unrelated to us.
None of our concern
We were told that this problem was not within our purview to resolve.
And then they chiselled and chiselled until everything we loved and everything we earned was taken away – we let them take it all away
Gradually, our possessions, assets, and everything we held dear to our hearts were stripped away from us until it was too late to regain them.
While we stood and argued
We were engaged in a verbal altercation.
About the cost (of it)
We disputed the cost of something that would have been precious to us.
Look how we let it slip out the backdoor
We allowed our most valuable possession to be stolen from us without even noticing when it occurred.
What was the price of what we lost?
What was the actual value of what was stripped away from us when we were not looking?
You won’t remember any of these meetings
You are unlikely to recall any of our discussions that we had before.
Any of the things you did or did not own
It is also irrelevant whether you had any possessions or not.
This is the part where we learn that love is
We are recognizing the fact that love is about being there for someone when they need it the most.
Not having to do this on your own
Love is not about raising something on our own but supporting and encouraging each other even when the tasks are daunting.
Am I Loved Here (yes you’re loved here)
You are appreciated and adored here, and your presence is essential.
Contributed by Aaliyah R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
English Tree TV
Great song!
Craig Cardiff - Music
thanks for sharing / commenting - pls consider subscribing to the channel - cc
English Tree TV
@Craig Cardiff - Music Done!
Cassidy Aitchison
I’ve heard this song so many times but it is speaking so much truth to me at this moment in my life. Thank you for your words!
Natalie Green
this is a wonderful song❤💚💙
Craig Cardiff - Music
thanks for your ears!
Allisa Bennett
Love this song. Makes me cry with relief to be understood so well. "It'd be too easy to let it overwhelm us. It'd be too easy to let it stay the same." Post more lyrics please!
Craig Cardiff - Music
thanks for your ears - cc (and subscribing!)
A YouTuber
Performed at my school years ago I kept staring fascinated by the performance and looping and storytelling in the arts theatre now fast forward listening this song sinks deep 🙏
Hannah
Nokomis😭💕☁︎