Penny Music

Throw a penny from the window
Watch an old man play a song
On a twenty dollar violin
He bought before the war
Though it screeches, and he scratches
And the notes are always wrong
But he plays like he’s in concert
On the street outside my door
Tunes to suit your fancy
Are there any requests?
I’ll play them for a penny
And not a penny less
He’s the local virtuoso
It’s his only way of life
Plays 97 overtures
And goes home to his wife
In the quiet of the evening
While his frozen fingers bleed
He counts pennies on a blanket
To supply his meagre need
Tunes to suit your fancy
Are there any requests?
I’ll play them for a penny
And not a penny less
When there’s frost upon the pumpkin
In the weakness of the sun
He will stand there in the cold
Until his symphony is done
In the early gray of morning
He is sure to come around
You can hear him through the window
When the pennies hit the ground
Tunes to suit your fancy
Are there any requests?
I’ll play them for a penny
And not a penny less
They’re playing penny music
Playing penny music
They’re playing penny music
Playing penny music
Playing penny music