John Denver covered his most famous and perhaps finest song, "Molly", and David Bowie covered "Fill Your Heart". Recently he has lived in the New Orleans area.
Molly
Biff Rose Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I ran away from home
I went to join the circus
I went to see the cotton candy whirl
And make me lots on money on my own
For molly, oh my pretty Molly
She's waiting all alone
Someday soon I will return to her.
Then I made the big time
Bright lights—show biz
I'm really in the circus
There's only one thing wrong:
I haven't saved a peony on my own
For Molly, ah my pretty Molly
But she's writing everyday
Molly understands so it's OK.
Ride a windy box car
And see a thousand children young and old
Oh that grease paint smile can hide your soul
Here comes a carrousel guess which town it is
Feel the thrill
Grease paint covers everything
But winters chill
I'm reading Molly's letter.
The ink is fading
and the page is turning yellow
Long ago, I promised Molly
Don't you know I—
I will close my eyes and go to her.
The song "Molly" by Biff Rose tells the story of a young man who runs away from home to join the circus, hoping to make enough money to be with his love, Molly. Despite making it big in show business, he realizes that he hasn't saved a penny for her. The circus, with its bright lights and greasepaint smiles, is a place where one can hide their soul. The singer is left with nothing but the letters he receives from Molly, which he treasures. The ink is fading, and the pages are turning yellow, but he vows to keep his promise to her.
The song is a reflection on how chasing one's dreams can lead to unintended consequences. The singer leaves behind everything he knows to chase after fame and fortune, but despite his success, he realizes that he's not fulfilled. The circus, with its superficiality and transience, is a place where he can hide from his problems, but it's also lonely. Molly becomes his anchor, the one constant in his life that he can rely on. Her letters remind him of who he is and what's important to him. In the end, he realizes that he needs to honor his promise to Molly and go back to her.
Line by Line Meaning
When I was a young man
In my youth, I had a desire to venture out and experience the world.
I ran away from home
I left my home in pursuit of my dreams.
I went to join the circus
My passion led me to join the circus.
I went to see the cotton candy whirl
I sought after the novelty and excitement of the circus life.
And make me lots on money on my own
I aimed to be successful and independent.
For molly, oh my pretty Molly
There was someone special in my life whom I longed to be with.
She's waiting all alone
My absence had caused her to be alone.
Someday soon I will return to her.
I had a hope and a plan to come back to her soon.
Then I made the big time
I achieved success in the entertainment industry.
Bright lights—show biz
The glamour and glitz of show business was my reality.
I'm really in the circus
I had become a part of the circus family.
There's only one thing wrong:
Despite my success, there was one thing that was missing.
I haven't saved a peony on my own
I had not saved any money for myself and Molly.
For Molly, ah my pretty Molly
My love for Molly had not diminished.
But she's writing everyday
Molly was keeping in touch by writing letters.
Molly understands so it's OK.
Molly was understanding of my situation, which brought me some comfort.
Ride a windy box car
I traveled on a freight train with an uncertain destination.
And see a thousand children young and old
I saw many children from various generations while on this journey.
Oh that grease paint smile can hide your soul
The painted smile of the circus performers concealed their true feelings and emotions.
Here comes a carrousel guess which town it is
I heard the sound of a carousel and wondered which town I was in.
Feel the thrill
I experienced the thrill of the ride.
Grease paint covers everything
The circus performers were covered in paint from head to toe.
But winters chill
Despite the seemingly warm environment, the winter cold still lingered.
I'm reading Molly's letter.
I took the time to read a letter from Molly.
The ink is fading
The ink on the letter was beginning to fade over time.
and the page is turning yellow
The letter itself was aging and beginning to turn yellow due to the passage of time.
Long ago, I promised Molly
There was a promise that I made to Molly a long time ago.
Don't you know I—
I wanted Molly to know something.
I will close my eyes and go to her.
In the end, I decided that I wanted to be with Molly, and nothing else mattered.
Writer(s): Biff Rose
Contributed by Camden N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@revmarctime1
R.I.P. Biff Rose 7/25/23
@kevinwollenweber340
Oh my, I haven’t heard this in years. It still gets to me.
@SimonTimoney-74
Beautiful song❤
@markdouglas668
Easily one of the top, largely undiscovered, talents of his era.
@jjj1951
I can't listen to this song without tearing up.
@debrabrabenec3731
My favorite song on the album!
@bassil1
A poignant song thinly veiled about the perils of following the muse....Showbiz can leave your true heart behind in the distant haze. A friend of mine knew this on piano and played it for me one late night. I burst into tears at its truth and sadness.
@meganallen8585
This song hits you in the heart
@rickrodrigues2219
Box car Biff riding the trains & thinking of Molly... lol!
@gregoryjayvalent9641
Saw him at the old Quiet Knight in Chicago. April or May 1973. He performed this.