Throw a penny from the window

Watch an old man play a song

on a twenty dollar violin he bought before the war

Though he screeches and he scratches

and the notes are always wrong

but he plays like he's in concert

on the street outside my door



Choose to suit your fancy

Are there any requests?

I'll play them for a pennyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy

                                      (play them for a penny)

and not a penny less



He's the local vertuoso

It's his only way of life

plays 97 overtures

and goes on home to his wife

In the quiet of the evening

while his frozen fingers bleed

he counts pennies

on the blanket to supply his meeger(sp?) needs



Choose to suit your fancy

Are there any requests?

I'll play them for a pennyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy

                                      (play them for a penny)

and not a penny less



When there's frost upon the pumpkin

in the weakness of the sun

People stand there in the cold

until his symphony is done

In the early gray of morning

he's sure to come around

You can hear him thru the window

when the pennies hit the ground



Choose to suit your fancy

Are there any requests?

I'll play them for a pennyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy

                                      (play them for a penny)

and not a penny less



They're playing penny music

                          (aaahhhhaaahhhh)

Playing penny music

                          (aaahhhhaaahhhh)

(last two lines repeat a few more times)