Erland and the Carnival are a London, UK folk rock band, formed by multi-in… Read Full Bio ↴Erland and the Carnival are a London, UK folk rock band, formed by multi-instrumentalist Simon Tong (formerly of the the The Verve / Blur / The Good, the Bad & the Queen), Erland Cooper (Orkney Islander - guitars / vocals), David Nock (drums / engineering - recently worked with Paul McCartney & The Fireman). Other members inc: Andy Bruce, Georgia Sands & Danny Wheeler.

After Erland recorded a track –‘Coming Home’ produced by Nock for Tongs Butterfly recordings compilation- “What the folk vol2”- the three of them began writing and playing together around London. Following in the path of Pentangle, The Trees and early Fairport they decided to form their group entitled “Erland and the Carnival.”

Carnival are best known for their contemporary arrangements of traditional Scottish and English folk songs, including Sally Free and Easy, The Parting Glass, Was You Ever See and Love Is a Killing Thing collected by Ralph Vaughn Williams. The band have just finished recording their debut album at Damon Albarns Studio, 13 and have released material, independently, through various collaborative projects.

The band's name comes from the Jackson C Frank song My Name is Carnival after the band recorded their own version of the song from his album Blues Run the Game. They are inspired by the likes of super folk groups Pentangle and Fairport Convention.

Sites: Discogs.

This Night
Erland and the Carnival Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

This night has opened my eyes and now I see
Not for the first time, not for the last time
This night has opened my mind and now I see
Not for the first time, not for the last time

This night has opened my eyes and now I see
Not for the first time, not for the last time
[Incomprehensible]

Not for the first time, not for the last time

Not for the first time, not for the last time
Not for the first time, not for the last time
Not for the first time, not for the last time
Not for the first time, not for the last time

Not for the first time, not for the last time
Not for the first time, not for the last time
Not for the first time, not for the last time
(This night has opened my eyes)
Not for the first time, not for the last time
(And now I see)

Not for the first time, not for the last time

(Not for the first time, not for the last time)
Not for the first time, not for the last time

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Erland and the Carnival's song "This Night" seem to express the idea of an epiphany that leads to a change in perception. The repeated lines "This night has opened my eyes and now I see, not for the first time, not for the last time" suggest a realization that is both new and yet familiar. The ambiguity of the lyrics allows for multiple interpretations, but it could be interpreted as a spiritual awakening or a moment of clarity in a personal relationship. The way the song ends with the repetition of "not for the first time, not for the last time" emphasizes the cyclical nature of life and suggests that this realization will occur again and again.

It's worth noting that the hypnotic quality of the music supports the idea of a transformative moment, with the build-up of layers and repetition towards the end of the song adding to the sense of a shift in consciousness. The use of unusual instruments like the bouzouki and the harmonium, as well as the echoey production, give the song an ethereal and otherworldly feel.

Line by Line Meaning

This night has opened my eyes and now I see
I have gained a new perspective tonight and it has allowed me to see things clearly

Not for the first time, not for the last time
This is not the first or last time I will experience a moment like this

[Incomprehensible]
The meaning of this moment or experience is hard to put into clear words

Not for the first time, not for the last time
Again, this is not the first or last time I will feel this way

Not for the first time, not for the last time
I have had similar experiences before and will have them again in the future

Not for the first time, not for the last time
This feeling or revelation is not unique to this particular moment

Not for the first time, not for the last time
I will continue to have similar experiences throughout my life

(This night has opened my eyes)
This specific night and experience has allowed me to see things differently

(And now I see)
As a result of this experience, my understanding or perspective has been altered

(Not for the first time, not for the last time)
Reiteration of the idea that this type of experience is not unique or isolated

Not for the first time, not for the last time
Another reminder that this is not a one-time occurrence