Half-Penny, Two-Penny

(album: Paradise Theater - 1981)

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 kidding 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 thisany 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)