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Half-Penny, Two-Penny Lyrics
Half penny, two penny, gold Krugerrand
He was exceedingly rich for such a young man
Sad story, old story
Bring out the band
Another divorce just a few hundred grand
Half penny, two penny, back of the queue
Yes mister poor man this means you
Justice for money what can you say
We all know it's the American Way
Yes, I'm gonna shake myself loose
Back home across the sea
Where I know that I will be free
Half penny, two penny, back in the States
You just couldn't take that African pace
Yes, Mrs. Cleaver your son's home to stay
We all know it's the American Way
Yes, I'm gonna shake myself loose
Back home across the sea
Where I know that I will be free
"Come here - hey Angelo... what's happenin'?"
"Hey, Stosh, good to see ya"
"What the hell you doin'?"
"We're tearing this old building down here"
"Oh you're kiddin' me. Remember when we were kids, and we used to come here every Saturday afternoon to see a cartoon?"
"Yeah, I remember"
"Well what's she lost to?"
"Who knows- politicians, taxes...it's a disgrace"
"I'm not surprised, they make me sick. They don't make theaters like this any more."
Half penny, two penny, ashes to dust
The almighty dollar says "In God we trust"
Justice for money how much more can I pay
We all know it's the American Way
Yes, I'm gonna shake myself loose
Back home across the sea
Where I know that I will be free
(I want to be free)
Yes, I'm gonna shake myself loose
Back home across the sea
Where I know that I will be free
(We all want to be free)
He was exceedingly rich for such a young man
Sad story, old story
Bring out the band
Another divorce just a few hundred grand
Yes mister poor man this means you
Justice for money what can you say
We all know it's the American Way
Back home across the sea
Where I know that I will be free
You just couldn't take that African pace
Yes, Mrs. Cleaver your son's home to stay
We all know it's the American Way
Back home across the sea
Where I know that I will be free
"Hey, Stosh, good to see ya"
"What the hell you doin'?"
"We're tearing this old building down here"
"Oh you're kiddin' me. Remember when we were kids, and we used to come here every Saturday afternoon to see a cartoon?"
"Yeah, I remember"
"Well what's she lost to?"
"Who knows- politicians, taxes...it's a disgrace"
"I'm not surprised, they make me sick. They don't make theaters like this any more."
The almighty dollar says "In God we trust"
Justice for money how much more can I pay
We all know it's the American Way
Back home across the sea
Where I know that I will be free
(I want to be free)
Back home across the sea
Where I know that I will be free
(We all want to be free)
Add your song meanings, interpretations, facts, memories & more to the community.
And so, one more band make a comment on the evils of money, and it's undermining of a social structure, even as they themselves collect a bunch of money.
I could never really understand the dialogue in the middle, during the instrumental. This is the firs time I've seen it transcribed.
Interestingly, James Young chose to name the two character "Angelo" and "Stosh" which are two names usually associated with Italians and Poles respectively. I never heard that until now.
Overall, I think this is easily JY's best song. I love the instrumental ending of the song but suspect that was really Dennis Deyoung that did that.
A great song, but not JY's top 5, (another list I would love to make!)maybe top 10. You need 'The Complete Wooden Nickel" collection (their first 4 albums). There are two or three off that first album I would put over this one. (try "Quick Is the Beat of My Heart") This is a specific injustice, I have been researching trying to know where he is coming from. There is a De Beers CEO Bruce Cleaver, maybe the son the subject of JY's ire?
@FurrowedBr, He's referring to Eldredge Cleaver, who had just returned to the US after moving to Africa.
@FurrowedBr, He's referring to Eldredge Cleaver, who had just returned to the US after moving to Africa.
I also loved the transcription of the colloquy. Rounds out the album extremely well. I appreciate the lyrics. I take them to be a commentary on the unequal justice available to those with means. As a conservative person working in law-enforcement I know this is certainly true.
And as much as I love, JY’s early stuff, I think this is certainly his best song. And I agree with the earlier comment. The transition from the guitar solo into the end of the album is absolutely magnificent. It’s incredible musicianship. I wish they would play this at every concert.