Nathan … Read Full Bio ↴Nathan Carter (born 28 May 1990) is an Irish country singer.
Nathan was born in Liverpool to parents from Northern Ireland. He began playing the accordion at age 4 and at age 10, he won the title for All Ireland Title for Traditional Singing. At 18 he moved from Liverpool to live in Ireland.
His debut album, Starting Out, was released in 2007 and from then on he has been known for reviving the genre of Country and Irish in both the United Kingdom and Ireland. Nathan released his latest album Where I Wanna Be in August 2013. His cover of the single "Wagon Wheel" has topped the main Irish Singles Chart.
Caledonia
Nathan Carter Lyrics
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The changes that have come over me
These last few days I've been afraid
That I might drift away
I've been telling old stories, singing songs
That make me think about where I've come from
That's the reason why I seem
Let me tell you that I love you
That I think about you all the time
Caledonia you're calling me
Now I'm going home
But if I should become a stranger
Know that it would make me more than sad
Caledonia's been everything I've ever had
Now I have moved and I've kept on moving
Proved the points that I needed proving
Lost the friends that I needed losing
Found others on the way
I've kissed the fellas and left them crying
Stolen dreams, yes, there's no denying
I've traveled hard sometimes with conscience flying
Somewhere with the wind
Let me tell you that I love you
That I think about you all the time
Caledonia you're calling me
Now I'm going home
But if I should become a stranger
Know that it would make me more than sad
Caledonia's been everything I've ever had
Now I'm sitting here before the fire
The empty room, the forest choir
The flames have cooled, don't get any higher
They've withered now, they've gone
But I'm steady thinking my way is clear
And I know what I will do tomorrow
When hands have shaken, the kisses flowed
Then I will disappear
Let me tell you that I love you
That I think about you all the time
Caledonia you're calling me
Now I'm going home
But if I should become a stranger
Know that it would make me more than sad
Caledonia's been everything I've ever had
Caledonia's been everything I've ever had
Caledonia's been everything I've ever had
Caledonia's been everything I've ever had
Nathan Carter's song "Caledonia" is a touching tribute to a person's Scottish homeland. The lyrics begin with the singer expressing his fear that he may "drift away" from his past. To avoid this, he reminisces about his upbringing by "telling old stories" and "singing songs." He credits his connection to Scotland to his identity, going so far as to state that "Caledonia's been everything [he's] ever had."
The singer has led a challenging life, mentioning that he has "moved...and kept on moving" and "lost the friends that [he's] needed losing." Despite this, he has found new allies "on the way" and "proved the points that [he's] needed proving." The line "I've kissed the fellas and left them crying" suggests he may have left behind romantic partners; the song does not gender the singer, leaving it open to interpretation.
As the song draws to a close, the singer reflects that even though the flames of his passion may have cooled, he knows what he will do tomorrow. When he has said his goodbyes and shared his good wishes with those he loves, he will "disappear." He reminds his beloved Caledonia that although he may become a stranger, it would make him "more than sad." The song ends on a wistful note, with the singer affirming that Caledonia has always been "everything [he's] ever had."
Line by Line Meaning
I don't know if you can see
I am unsure if you are able to perceive
The changes that have come over me
I have undergone transformations that may not be apparent to you
These last few days I've been afraid
Recently I have been fearful
That I might drift away
Of drifting away from you or losing grip on a certain aspect of my life
I've been telling old stories, singing songs
I have been reminiscing and reflecting on my past by recounting old stories and singing songs
That make me think about where I've come from
These stories and songs have caused me to contemplate my origins and history
That's the reason why I seem
This is why I appear
So far away today
Distant or detached from reality
Let me tell you that I love you
I want to express my love for you
That I think about you all the time
You are constantly on my mind
Caledonia you're calling me
I feel a strong pull towards my homeland of Caledonia
Now I'm going home
I am returning to Caledonia
But if I should become a stranger
In the event that I become unfamiliar
Know that it would make me more than sad
It would deeply upset me
Caledonia's been everything I've ever had
My history and connection to Caledonia has been my entire life
Now I have moved and I've kept on moving
I have travelled and continue to do so
Proved the points that I needed proving
I have demonstrated what I needed to
Lost the friends that I needed losing
I have let go of friends that were not serving me well
Found others on the way
I have made new connections during my travels
I've kissed the fellas and left them crying
I have had romantic encounters with men and left them emotional
Stolen dreams, yes, there's no denying
I have taken opportunities from others, which cannot be refuted
I've traveled hard sometimes with conscience flying
I have gone through periods of intense travel while feeling a sense of freedom and lack of guilt
Somewhere with the wind
Without a particular destination or plan
Now I'm sitting here before the fire
Currently, I am sitting near the fire
The empty room, the forest choir
The room is empty, only the sounds of the forest can be heard
The flames have cooled, don't get any higher
The fire has died down, and will not grow any stronger
They've withered now, they've gone
The flames have diminished and gone out
But I'm steady thinking my way is clear
I am confident and secure in my thoughts and plans
And I know what I will do tomorrow
I have a clear idea of what I will accomplish in the future
When hands have shaken, the kisses flowed
After saying goodbye and expressing affection to those I care about
Then I will disappear
I will leave without drawing attention, and go my own way
Caledonia's been everything I've ever had
Through my travels and experiences, my connection to Caledonia remains the most important thing to me
Contributed by Ethan P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.