Many years ago, after recently being elected as Vice-President, Student Affairs at the Student Federation of the University of Ottawa, I got a tour of the offices by the outgoing VP and met everyone who worked there. We ended the tour in my future office and my predecessor put on a song he said I absolutely had to listen to. He then asked me who I thought it was. I was floored. The music was folksy and the voice had a gorgeous quality to it that could just break your heart (or put it back together as his website bio indicates). I named off a few popular bands of the day, trying to guess and, when I finally gave up, was told that it was Craig Cardiff.
Craig? Wait a minute. Craig down the hall Craig? That unassuming guy behind the desk (who works in marketing, natch!) is the one who sounds like that?
Before my term was over I had the privilege of seeing Craig in concert many times and he even gave me a CD - Great White Trash American Novel, which has never left my playlist rotation since.
I've followed Craig's career over the years and picked up a few songs here and there when this one fell into my lap and expressed EVERYTHING that I have been feeling over the last few months as I continue on my hobotastic journey.
I felt like sharing.
You can go ahead and read the lyrics I copied out for yourself and when you're done, please check out his discography. Buy a few CDs even. I promise you won't regret it.
You can find Porchlight on the album "Songs for Lucy" which was recorded live at The Blacksheep Inn in Wakefield.
Porchlight
One month down, one more month in, I can't wait to see you again. I'm going to hold you so tight Until my heart's unbroken.
Some got lost, other's of us found ourselves Mortgage, cars and kids on the edge of town Come and tell me what happened to the fireworks? And the promises spoken?
And all my friends are someplace else I'm stuck here to better myself. Leave the porchlight on And your heart wide open.
And all my friends are someplace else I'm stuck here to better myself. Leave your porchlight on And your heart wide open.
I went for a walk where I grew up slow. I was hoping to see a face I used to know But I walked for hours And I did not see a soul.
I'm so sick of other people's bathrooms And other people's beds. Some of us stayed, most of us fled I'm tired of this life that leaves you bent and broken.
Well, I threw myself hard into the world Oh the world she received me Landing me safe and warm Safe into the rest of you.
And all my friends are someplace else I'm stuck here by myself. Leave your porchlight on And your heart wide open.
All my friends are someplace else I'm stuck here by myself. Leave your porchlight on And your heart wide open.