Sincerely Molly

rsorensen

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Description

This one's pretty raw, but by design. It's a true story about a homeless girl I used to walk by every night on the corner of Granville and Georgia here in downtown Vancouver (see pic). I took the picture the last time I saw her because of the irony of the signs above her. They pointed to all the great things at our disposal in the city, while she held a sign of her own that simply read "Hungry, Broke Sincerely Molly"

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Lyrics

Sincerely Molly

She wears a wool cap in the summer
and pulls it down over her brow
A long gray coat rests on her shoulders
An empty coffee cup reached out

Hungry, Broke
Sincerely Molly

Sometimes she stands and sometimes sits down
But never does she speak a word
She's seen a thousand people walk by
But they have never seen her

Hungry, Broke
Sincerely Molly

The city's signs are up above her
A picture of such irony
It's right for coffee shops and jewelers
And left for something good to eat
But she just stands there right below them
and holds a sign for us to see
And we all change lanes when we walk by
Just so we won't have to read

Hungry, Broke
Sincerely Molly

Someone told me "pretty girls get what they like"
I guess that's not always the truth
If it was she wouldn't be out here tonight
Oh Molly I can fill that cup for you

I took a walk downtown this evening
Pockets full of change for her
And when I got to her street corner
Pretty Molly wasn't there

Song Stats

Hits: 1017
Comments: 58
Fans: 29
Plays: 104
Downloads: 74
Votes: 9
Uploaded: Jan 18, 2009 - 04:11:05 PM
Last Updated: Jan 18, 2009 - 04:17:21 PM Last Played: Oct 19, 2009 - 04:08:30 PM

Song License

Creative Commons License:
NoDerivs

Song Actions

Keywords:

homeless (8), acoustic (585)

Hardware:

Taylor Big Baby, M-Audio KeyStudio 49i

Software:

GB08

Comments

magnatone	magnatone said 294 days ago (January 18th, 2009)
	Sincerely Molly sigh.....this is incredible Ridd. Thanks for the backstory and that photo - wow, just says it all. Beautiful work (as usual) Check out my latest song called Symphonic Smackdown

rsorensen	rsorensen said 291 days ago (January 21st, 2009)
	molly thanks karen. the first time i saw her holding that sign i knew i was gonna write a song about her. glad you like this :) Check out my latest song called You Are My Whole Life

Feter

Feter said 294 days ago (January 18th, 2009)

Sincerely Molly
Goodness ...this brought the deep huan of you Ridd ...your blew me away
with this cos art music just what we need to show and let others hear ...
my prayers to Molly ..and a deep bow to you for feel this human being !
thank you so very much my friend for sharing such kinda art !!!!

Check out my latest song called A Night With Feter feat'(Roxylee sloparts crissew johnwhitehead and Yamin AL Yamani )

rsorensen	rsorensen said 291 days ago (January 21st, 2009)
	:) thanks feter. i'm trying to back off writing so many songs about relationships, so it was refreshing to visit this subject matter. i'm happy this touched you. thanks for listening Check out my latest song called You Are My Whole Life

BossHook	BossHook said 294 days ago (January 18th, 2009)
	a very humble offering that completely serves the message and the reality of sincerely, Molly. Check out my latest song called LAUGH OUT LOUD

rsorensen	rsorensen said 291 days ago (January 21st, 2009)
	boss thanks for the feedback! Check out my latest song called You Are My Whole Life

gail60	gail60 said 294 days ago (January 18th, 2009)
	Ridd, you are the best! Somehow I know that you could make a hit song out of an empty potato sack and make it sound wonderful. This is such a moving and sad song and needs to be heard over and over again. You have a good heart kid. Keep up the great work. Your talent increases daily and always blows me away!! Check out my latest song called Sweet September

rsorensen	rsorensen said 291 days ago (January 21st, 2009)
	hey thanks for the kind words, gail. it's cool to know you find this so moving. I think you're pretty darn swell too :) thanks for stopping by. Check out my latest song called You Are My Whole Life

MarkHolbrook	MarkHolbrook said 293 days ago (January 18th, 2009)
	I agree with Karen Ridd... This is excellent with very heartfelt lyrics and and story. Thanks for pulling this together and sharing it with us. Check out my latest song called Never Say Goodbye - Bond Challenge

rsorensen	rsorensen said 291 days ago (January 21st, 2009)
	:) thanks for listening and commenting, Mark Check out my latest song called You Are My Whole Life

drakonis	drakonis said 293 days ago (January 18th, 2009)
	fill a cup with poignancy Wow, really touching song, excellent writing and singing... perfect lo-fi bite, and perfect "sudden-realization" ending... wow. Lyrics have a bit of Simon & Garfunkel touch, quite well written. ttfn, Drakonis Check out my latest song called Temporal Tantrum (Sister Savage Mix)

rsorensen	rsorensen said 291 days ago (January 21st, 2009)
	wow thanks drakonis. S&G were amazing lyricists so any comparison to them is a very welcome one. Thanks very much. Glad you liked this Check out my latest song called You Are My Whole Life

Komrade K	Komrade K said 293 days ago (January 19th, 2009)
	May be... ... Molly not being there was a good thing, may be she found a home and hope. Excellent singing and playing. KK Check out my latest song called Borice

rsorensen	rsorensen said 291 days ago (January 21st, 2009)
	that's what I like to think, too. thanks for listening Check out my latest song called You Are My Whole Life

ted23	ted23 said 293 days ago (January 19th, 2009)
	Chorus.. ..was excellent. Such great guitar tone and I really like your voice. The verses flow so well but that chorus really gets me. Check out my latest song called kooky dance

rsorensen	rsorensen said 291 days ago (January 21st, 2009)
	chorus thanks I'm glad you like the chorus. It was my favorite part to sing actually. Check out my latest song called You Are My Whole Life

kingbee	kingbee said 293 days ago (January 19th, 2009)
	homeless but not hopeless This song has that sort of 'one man band, corner of the street busker' to it. Great song, vocals, lyrics production, backing vocals. Nice one Check out my latest song called Dr.Thunderball-Bond theme challenge

rsorensen	rsorensen said 291 days ago (January 21st, 2009)
	busker yeah, that's true. it does sound rather buskerish hehe. thanks for listening man Check out my latest song called You Are My Whole Life

lavalamp	lavalamp said 293 days ago (January 19th, 2009)
	Special tune Observational writing, well down. Molly is my dog's name, too. (no joke) Really a special song man. Great job. LL Check out my latest song called Googolplex Times Zero

rsorensen	rsorensen said 293 days ago (January 19th, 2009)
	thanks dave haha I have a dog named Molly too actually! She didn't come running when I was singing this though cuz I think she hates me. It's the wife's dog. Whaddya gonna do? Thanks for the listen :) Check out my latest song called You Are My Whole Life

lengold	lengold said 293 days ago (January 19th, 2009)
	I really love this. Downloaded. Thanks. Cheers Len Check out my latest song called Dodgy Doughnut

rsorensen	rsorensen said 291 days ago (January 21st, 2009)
	download thanks a lot for downloading. my song's honored to be on your pod. Check out my latest song called You Are My Whole Life

sheilad

sheilad said 293 days ago (January 19th, 2009)

Very Moving
I had the same feelings when I visited Robson Street. It amazed me how people could make such wide paths around the less fortunate in their quest for over priced coffee and luxuries. Spending more on one item than some people have to spend all year. We could all find ourselves less fortunate and should be thankful for what we have. This song really touched my heart. Thanks for the d/l

Check out my latest song called Halloween Wandering/PickQuickRecords

rsorensen	rsorensen said 291 days ago (January 21st, 2009)
	yeah i hear you. i'm guilty of it too. sometimes I'll make eye contact and say hi or offer some change, but too often I find myself looking down with the headphones on and taking the 'other' lane as I walk by. really glad this touched you sheila. thanks for dropping by Check out my latest song called You Are My Whole Life

bud	bud said 293 days ago (January 19th, 2009)
	Beautiful song and compassionate observations. The production matches the mood perfectly. There was a fellow I used to see who sat by the entrance to a bookstore in Manhattan. His sign read "Please give - anything helps - it's the uncertainty." I think of him often - there but for the grace of God.... Thanks for posting. Check out my latest song called Expanding Toys (Halloween Remix)

rsorensen	rsorensen said 291 days ago (January 21st, 2009)
	oooo that's a great sign, too. when i saw molly's sign I thought it was so honest. glad you like the production on this kevin. i was tempted to 'perfect' the vocals, add drums etc, but it wouldve taken away from what I wanted to be a raw & heartfelt kind of experience, so I elected to keep the warts Check out my latest song called You Are My Whole Life

Mckenzie

Mckenzie said 293 days ago (January 19th, 2009)

sigh...
i have absolutely nothing else to say but what's already been said. Poignant, emotional, unique - it just has everything. I really like it like this too, with just the guitar and voice, kinda like you could be standing next to her on the street with the acoustic. I love songs that are stories too, i find it so hard to write a song with a proper story and not make it sound silly, but you just nailed this one as per usual.
Seriously inspiring..
Thanks mate :)

Check out my latest song called Carriage Girl

rsorensen	rsorensen said 291 days ago (January 21st, 2009)
	Mckenzie.. thanks man. you know I love ALL your stuff too. I'm glad you like this. It's hard for me to write musical 'stories' as well, and I really didn't want this one to come off contrived or preachy. Glad you think it works as is. Thanks Check out my latest song called You Are My Whole Life

leap4rog

leap4rog said 293 days ago (January 19th, 2009)

loved it
This is tight and right. Lyrics, vocals, harmonies-- are all so professional. The only thing I could note would be that I might want to hear the "pretty girls" part (chorus? bridge?) twice because the pattern of the guitar at the end of each verse phrase does start to feel slightly repetitious. But then the song might approach 6 minutes in length (which I wouldn't mind because I loved it.)

Maybe the best thing you do here is tell this story we all know personally without any contrivance whatsoever. That seems to be what good songwriting is.

Check out my latest song called Capsicum

rsorensen	rsorensen said 291 days ago (January 21st, 2009)
	bridge Thanks man. I thought the same thing actually - about making that final bridge a chorus and moving it up in the song more. I might revisit some day or try it live, but yeah - you're right I tried to keep it honest as possible and just played what felt right in that moment. thanks for the feedback and listen. Really appreciate it Check out my latest song called You Are My Whole Life

Vic Holman	Vic Holman said 293 days ago (January 19th, 2009)
	you always wonder about the lives of people on the street. some are there with no where else to go. then you have the others that are pulling a scam. anyway great tune and excellent story in the lyrics. I really like the style you treated this with. a real campfire song style. Check out my latest song called One Step Over The Line

rsorensen	rsorensen said 291 days ago (January 21st, 2009)
	agreed.. I can usually tell when I'm being conned. What gets me are the guys that actually tell you what they want the money for. There's this one dude that says 'will ya buy a bum a beer?'. Haha at least he's honest. Glad you dug this vic thanks. Check out my latest song called You Are My Whole Life

Bob Rodgers	Bob Rodgers said 293 days ago (January 19th, 2009)
	This is a wonderful song with superb lyrics, guitar and vocals! Great stuff and I loved it! Bob Check out my latest song called In My Mind

rsorensen	rsorensen said 291 days ago (January 21st, 2009)
	:) thanks a lot bob Check out my latest song called You Are My Whole Life

sloparts

sloparts said 293 days ago (January 19th, 2009)

Sad but true
This is so sad. It's a wonder any of us can sleep at night knowing she's out there somewhere, probably cold and hungry, and feeling all alone in this world. Her and how many others I ask. And not just the young girls, but the old men, the Vets, the lost souls.

This song speaks to our failing as a species to see to it that no one is forgotten, that no one is left out in the cold.

Beautifully done Ridd. I doubt that changing it at all would make it better, only more "arranged". Leave it as it is and it will touch peoples heart as it has mine.

Ed

Check out my latest song called Just a little Something

rsorensen	rsorensen said 291 days ago (January 21st, 2009)
	yeah thanks Ed. I tried to keep this song from sounding preachy, but there's definitely a problem when people are dying on the streets in my country. I'm guilty of ignorance myself. Glad you found a message in this. I appreciate the feedback. Check out my latest song called You Are My Whole Life

The Orbiting

The Orbiting said 292 days ago (January 19th, 2009)

Add me to the lovers
...of this song (and the photo). I love the specificity of the lyrics and your harmonies are especially wonderful this time around. Keep this one for your next album, Ridd.

I'd be interested to hear a version with a drier, more immediate vocal. This version is great, but the effects are creating some distance that make me wonder about what it would sound like without them, that's all.

You're doing such great work lately. I'm so glad you found us (and are giving away your music for free!)

Check out my latest song called Mayday

rsorensen	rsorensen said 291 days ago (January 21st, 2009)
	dry thanks a lot man. Glad you like this and my other recent songs. I really enjoy your stuff as well. I did try it with a drier vocal but it didn't connect with me. sounded a little TOO intimate, know what I mean? Check out my latest song called You Are My Whole Life

12parsecs	12parsecs said 292 days ago (January 19th, 2009)
	great recording! amazing vocal performance, ridd. so smooth. man am i jealous of your vocal abilities - both for singing and automated attendant phone system greetings. =P and i have to get me one of those acoustics too! i can't believe how nice that thing sounds recorded. Check out my latest song called Through

rsorensen

rsorensen said 291 days ago (January 21st, 2009)

golly
a 'great recording' compliment from you is huge to me so thanks! and speaking of automated phone attendant greetings, I've been tasked to do another. I'm thinking of trying a more... er... flamboyant voice this time hehe

I love the Taylor. I could never gig with it (without a good mic anyway), but for recording purposes it's a gem

So when are you gonna add vox to that new song of yours? Get on it man!

Check out my latest song called You Are My Whole Life

rsorensen	rsorensen said 291 days ago (January 21st, 2009)
	oh yeah and if yer serious about getting one, Mauro might sell you his.. I don't think her ever plays it Check out my latest song called You Are My Whole Life

Lennon714	Lennon714 said 292 days ago (January 20th, 2009)
	nice tune. The story is told very well and the pic brings it home. I can hear the Beatles influence in the choice of that second chord in the bridge. The progression and melody still stay very Ridd Sorensen, though Check out my latest song called Anarchy, Inc.

rsorensen	rsorensen said 291 days ago (January 21st, 2009)
	yeah thanks eric. that second B7 chord was kind of an accident at first but it sounded kind of interesting in there so I kept it. Definitely sounds beatlesesque. I've been listening to Revolver nonstop and I just picked up the Anthology DVDs haha. Glad you liked this, thanks. Check out my latest song called You Are My Whole Life

Moses	Moses said 292 days ago (January 20th, 2009)
	Don't have anything to say that hasn't been already said. Lovely tune. Wonderful to listen to. Check out my latest song called Rob and Jackie

rsorensen	rsorensen said 291 days ago (January 21st, 2009)
	moses thanks a lot man. I appreciate the listen Check out my latest song called You Are My Whole Life

thetiler

thetiler said 292 days ago (January 20th, 2009)

wow
you really hit home with this! I think you did a splendid job. You told an excellent story. Very impressed with such clarity in lyrics and voicals plus the guitar !.

Way to go. Glad I ran into this.

It almost reminds me of a lady I used to see on my way to jobs. A lady would be standing with a suite case in a park and stay there all day. She must of been mentally ill, but she would stand week in and week out for years. Not sure what happened to her but it sure struck me. Thanks for bringing back that memory!

Thanks again!

Check out my latest song called The Bluebird Cafe (with two other guest)

rsorensen	rsorensen said 291 days ago (January 21st, 2009)
	:) thanks a bunch. there's a lot of homeless people out there but some seem to stand out a little more than others for whatever reason. glad you like this Check out my latest song called You Are My Whole Life

tempie	tempie said 291 days ago (January 21st, 2009)
	terrific was just listening to bon iver's "blood bank" and again i'll say that when you quiet things down you're as good as anybody i've heard. great song thanks! also molly's sign is one of those random things you see as an artist and think "how do you top that?" I mean it says it all. Incredible. Check out my latest song called Quick Hearted Boy (A Cowboy Ballad, with Funk)

rsorensen

rsorensen said 291 days ago (January 21st, 2009)

hah
funny you should mention him. Just picked up the EP this morning. Great stuff. Not sure what to think of 'Woods' yet though. I think I like it... ANyway thanks a lot for saying that again. Means a lot coming from you. I really love your stuff AND your taste in music
and yeah, that sign REALLY got to me the first time I saw it. amazing.

Check out my latest song called You Are My Whole Life

Scott Carmichael	Scott Carmichael said 291 days ago (January 21st, 2009)
	poignant such a well crafted song... steeped in that singer songwriter tradition... warm with compassion and heart Check out my latest song called Good Morning

rsorensen	rsorensen said 291 days ago (January 21st, 2009)
	thanks a lot scott. this is kind of new ground for me so I'm glad you think it works. I appreciate your input, as always. Check out my latest song called You Are My Whole Life

craft	craft said 291 days ago (January 21st, 2009)
	man this is great sad story for a great composition... You did well with this one... Check out my latest song called Blue Lights (feat. Spleenveil)

rsorensen	rsorensen said 290 days ago (January 22nd, 2009)
	hey thanks craft. looking forward to your next one. Check out my latest song called You Are My Whole Life

davisamerica	davisamerica said 291 days ago (January 21st, 2009)
	ridd... spot on and very nicely done Check out my latest song called No Son(egobandit band)

rsorensen	rsorensen said 290 days ago (January 22nd, 2009)
	:) thanks man. i enjoyed recording this one and keeping it simple. thanks for the feedback Check out my latest song called You Are My Whole Life

egobandit	egobandit said 281 days ago (January 31st, 2009)
	Now This is song writing, Too many Mollys in the world .. You sure put alot of feeling in your singing lifted a few hairs on my arm , Great great song! Check out my latest song called So I been told

rsorensen	rsorensen said 279 days ago (February 2nd, 2009)
	ego thanks dude. really glad this story and performance moved you Check out my latest song called You Are My Whole Life

gh0ul	gh0ul said 263 days ago (February 17th, 2009)
	totally wonderful man... I love this tune... the harmony on the chorus... just doesn't get much better... love the country feel to it. Truly a song that you will realize over and over again as your musical career manifests into greatness..... Check out my latest song called Solace for the bass

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Name: R Sorensen

I'm an animation director/illustrator working in Vancouver, Canada who decided it was time to take writing and recording music to the next level. I recently completed my first album called New Beautiful by Satellite Tragedy, and it's available on... [see more]

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