Styx

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
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

[Verse 2]
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

[Chorus]
Yes, I'm gonna shake myself loose
Back home across the sea
Where I know that I will be free

[Verse 3]
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

[Chorus]
[Background Voices]
"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."

[Verse 4]
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

[Chorus]

I want to be free

[Chorus]

We all want to be free

Half-Penny, Two-Penny is a classic rock song from the American rock band, Styx. It was released in 1973 as a part of their second studio album, Styx II. The song has a unique storyline as it takes place at a demolished theatre. The song's lyrics capture the mood and setting perfectly, making it an unforgettable piece of music for all lovers of classic rock.

About Half-Penny, Two-Penny

The song, Half-Penny, Two-Penny, starts with the line "All along the day, the noise begins and ends, she talks aloud to herself." This line sets the scene of a person who is wandering around aimlessly in a demolished theatre, talking to themselves in a state of delusion. The protagonist is haunted by the memories of the place, and the lyrics of the song describe the atmosphere as eerie.

The song then progresses to describe the details of the theatre's demolition, "The mornin' after blues, dry dust and cardboard flues." The next lines, "Then when you must arrange, to make further arrangements, keep it to yourself, don't discuss it with anyone else," create an air of mystery around what arrangements are being discussed here. The lyrics are somewhat open to interpretation, and allow the listener to imagine what arrangements the protagonist is making.

The song is layered with rich imagery, and the lyrics are incredibly poetic. The line, "In the fading light, the sign once read Theater Tonight" recalls the memories of the theatre and the performances that once graced its stage. The protagonist of the song is nostalgic for the past and is unable to accept the reality of the present. The last line of the song, "Half-penny, two-penny, gold Krugerrands, don't seem to matter anymore," is somewhat ambiguous but suggests that the protagonist has lost interest in material things after the demolition of the theatre.

The song is an excellent example of Styx's versatility with different song themes. Half-Penny, Two-Penny has a unique storyline and captures the listener's attention with its vivid descriptions of the demolished theatre. The instrumentation and the melody of the song complement the lyrics wonderfully, elevating the song to the realm of classic rock.

Perplexity and Burstiness

The song Half-Penny, Two-Penny has a high level of perplexity as it deals with a complex and abstract concept. The lyrics are open to interpretation, and the song's theme is not easily understood upon the first listen. The use of poetic language, metaphorical expressions, and imagery makes it a perplexing song that requires the listener's attention and analyses.

Half-Penny, Two-Penny also has a high level of burstiness as the song captures the essence of the demolished theatre and the protagonist's emotions. The lyrics create a sense of urgency and mystery around the arrangements that the protagonist is making. The imagery used in the lyrics makes the song burst with vivid descriptions and emotions, making it a memorable classic rock song.

Concluding Thoughts

Half-Penny, Two-Penny by Styx is a classic rock song that deserves a place in every rock lover's playlist. The song's storyline of a demolished theatre and a person wandering about in a deluded state creates an eerie atmosphere that the listener can't help but get engulfed in. The song's poetic lyrics and melody make it a memorable classic rock song worth listening to time and again. With a high level of perplexity and burstiness, Half-Penny, Two-Penny stands out as a unique piece of music, showcasing the artistic abilities of the band, Styx.

• Release Date: January 19, 1981
• Artist: Styx