A moving, empathic country song about homeless
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I love the rasp and uplifting ache in Tenille Townes's voice as she sings this song. The story and lyrics clearly depict a person whose life wasn't easy. It reminds us that, except for our circumstances, we're all the same.
This country song is about homelessness. It's about those moments we pass by someone at an intersection holding up a cardboard sign asking for money for help.
"Oh I don't know the reasons why I'm the one whose driving by and she's the one on the corner of 18th street...bet she was somebody's best friend, back when she was somebody's sister counting change at the lemonade stand"This mid-tempo song will touch your soul.
I remember first hearing it on the radio in my kitchen, and because I wasn't listening very closely to the lyrics, the song passed me by without notice. For me, ninety-nine percent of the time, it's the story first, the music second.
The next time I heard the song, I happened to be driving. Then I took the time to listen to the story behind the words.
The Inspiration Behind Tenille Townes Writing This Song
The tune was inspired during a drive Tenille Townes took with her mom in Nashville, Tennessee. They saw a homeless person standing with a sign and began wondering about this person's life story. Personally, I've wondered the same myself. I suspect that's the reason this song touched me so deeply.
The song reminds us that "she was somebody's best friend, somebody's first kiss, somebody's daughter".What do We Do When We See Someone Standing With a Cardboard Sign Asking for Help?
Many times I've handed out a bit of money. People have told me, "oh, that's a con, they're lazy, they're not deserving." I'm sorry, but the onus is not on me to prove their truth. The recipient has to deal with the validity of the situation. I'm not prepared to conclude that everyone who does this isn't being honest. I believe most are genuinely suffering. I would rather be kind than be judgemental about that situation, but that's me. I just give; you never know who you've helped.
Who is Tenille Townes
Tenille Townes is a rising Canadian Country Music Artist from Grand Prairie, Alberta, Canada. In 2011 she was nominated at 17 years old for Canadian Country Music Female Artist of the Year. Her career is off and running. In 2018 she opened for Miranda Lambert and Little Big Town on The Bandwagon Tour.
Her Grand Ole Opry Debut
She's also recently enjoyed the honor of performing at the Grand Ole Opry. That was a big deal for her family and friends! Watch and listen to Tenille Townes in her own words, describe her amazing experience. She's a class act.
Big Hearts for Big Kids - Her Cause
In over nine years, she's raised $1.5+ million dollars for Sunrise House, a shelter for homeless youth in Alberta Canada. A cause she generously dedicates her time and name to.
Here's a brief video on her 2018 Fundraiser, Big Hearts for Big Kids:
Homelessness - The Stats and Where to Learn More
It's roughly estimated that between 150,000 and 300,000 people in Canada are homeless at some given time. In 2017 approximately 5 million people in Canada lived in poverty. Canadians can learn more about homelessness and what can be done here at The Homeless Hub.
According to Voa.org, in the United States in 2017, approximately 553,000 Americans were homeless on a given night, 40 million struggled with hunger, and 40.6 million officially lived in poverty. The US population is about 325 million. To learn more about poverty in the USA and how you can help, visit Voa.org/homeless-people.
"I believe those who suffer the most teach us the most" - by me
Wow Barbara, how lovely a review. I had not heard of this singer before and will certainly look for her now. I love Canadian country singers. Theirs songs and their passion is amazing and they generally are pretty "cool" people. Thank you for turning me onto a new artist!
ReplyDeleteThe radio station in my kitchen is always on and on the country station so I'll tend to notice newer songs. This song has been out since last year, but still, it's my fave.
DeleteI am glad we are the kind of people who find it hard to look away and don't think critically of the homeless. Unfortunately, it is impossible to tell the criminals from the needy when all we see is the individual holding a sign. I have lots of stories I could tell you about our own experiences, but let me simply say, we each should carefully follow our own hearts. I had not heard the song before, but certainly gives food for thought. She talks about relationships. I always think how that is someones son or daughter. I bet you do too!
ReplyDeletethat's true about being cautious for sure, always wise to approach situations that way. I find myself wondering about the lives people have lived for sure. Especially in a long term care facility. I look around at the seniors and when I get a chance I absolutely love to hear about their youth (if they're able to share). It's like living another life through their eyes.
DeleteHomelessness is one of those "There but for the Grace of God go I.... " situations. We never know what circumstances led to any given situation and thus should never make judgments. We each do what we feel we need to do, as Tenille Townes has done with her music and her homeless youth cause. Always interesting to hear the story behind the person.
ReplyDeleteSo true about learning the story behind the artist. I hadn't realized how devoted she was to her cause til I wrote this article.
DeleteWhat a beautiful and important post. I'd never heard of Tenille Townes. What a big heart she has. Good for her. And good for the homeless children she is trying to help. Wonderful post Barbara. <3
ReplyDeleteThank you Dawn
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