Reflections: Pennies From Heaven
“I collect lucky pennies that I find on the ground. I keep them in a Ziploc bag.” Jessica Simpson
Reflections: Pennies From Heaven – 8 lucky pennies found on the ground
Bing Crosby – Pennies From Heaven (1936)
Pennies From Heaven – Bing Crosby via Metrolyrics
A long time ago, a million years BC
The best things in life were absolutely free
But no one appreciated a sky that was always blue
And no one congratulated a moon that was always newSo it was planned that they would vanish now and then
And you must pay before you get them back again
That’s what storms were made for
And you shouldn’t be afraid for… Contd below
Songwriters: Johnny Burke, Arthur Johnston
Published by: Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
This morning, as I was getting ready to enter my car, after doing some early morning grocery shopping, I looked down by my car door and found a bunch of pennies staring right back at me. There were 8 pennies in varying states of shine. I was surprised because I didn’t notice them when I parked my car. Frankly, I saw a single penny as I headed into the store and since, like Jessica Simpson above, I collect lucky pennies, I was thrilled. The pennies brought back many memories of conversations with friends and family about where these “lucky pennies” come from, why some people are reviled by them, and why others, like me, see them as a blessing from the angels of good fortune. I don’t know how you feel about them but, I truly believe that these lucky pennies are reminders that we should treat all money with respect, especially and even more so, when things are hard for us. I took a few smartphone shots of my eight pennies, collected them, and headed home. What do I do with my lucky pennies? Sometimes, I leave them in my car coin-holder and, at other times, I collect them in a small change cup at home. They definitely get used … with gratitude. Do you collect lucky pennies?
“Consuming less means throwing away less, while reusing things actually helps to save the planet as well as the pennies.” Sheherazade Goldsmith
Reflections: Pennies From Heaven – 8 lucky pennies found on the ground
Reflections: Pennies From Heaven – 8 lucky pennies found on the ground
Louis Armstrong / Frances Langford – Pennies From Heaven
Every time it rains it rains
Pennies from heaven
Don’t you know each cloud contains
Pennies from heavenYou’ll find your fortune falling all over town
Be sure that your umbrella is upside down
Trade them for a package of sunshine and flowers
If you want the things you love… Contd below
Do you have musical memories connected to money? Collecting lucky pennies and the song Pennies From Heaven hold a few fond childhood memories for me. I’ve collected them as far back as I can remember and, before you cringe, I always wash my hands after collecting my lucky pennies and I say a thank you to the universe for them. YES, I do! That said, when I got home and checked my blog and the WP Daily prompts, I was nicely surprised to see that today’s assignment had to do with the songs we listened to at home when we were kids. Essentially, it’s about the music our parents listened to and how we think it influenced our taste in music. My parents were from a different musical generation and they had their preferences; they loved the classics, jazz, the blues and popular African cultural music. I enjoyed a lot of what they loved and still remember a lot of their music, however, I think my interests veered a bit to the left of theirs… It comes with the territory; different generation equals different interests.
As I thought about today’s prompt and my lucky money moment, my memory shifted to the popular song – Pennies from Heaven (which you can purchase on Google Play). It was one of many, many songs my parents enjoyed listening to at home. My parents listened to African music, music from the UK, the US, and anything that caught their fancy from around the globe. Even though we weren’t living in the US, Pennies From Heaven resonated with my Dad who knew what it meant to struggle from poverty and make huge leaps in life. Listening to it again today, I found that the lyrics spoke to a challenging time in the USA; during the war and the Depression era. It still holds tremendous meaning for anyone going through hard times. My Dad had a pretty wide interest in many forms of music and so we heard a lot of different musical styles, genres and voices at home. I must admit that I paid little attention to some of the lyrics of the songs they shared unless, it caught my attention. I remember some songs we heard during my childhood especially songs with a repeated chorus. When the song popped up in my head, I could only remember a few lines and decided to dig up the rest. I had no idea it was such a powerful song. Do you remember this song? What’s your memory of it?
More Below!
“I would roll up pennies to take the subway to work in Times Square. I was broke, but I was happy.” Jennifer Garner
Reflections: Pennies From Heaven – 8 lucky pennies found on the ground
Pennies From Heaven – Billie Holiday
Pennies From Heaven – Bing Crosby
You must have showers
So when you hear it thunder
Don’t run under a tree
There’ll be pennies from heaven for you and meYou must have showers
So when you hear it thunder
Don’t run under a tree
There’ll be pennies from heaven for you and me
Songwriters: Johnny Burke, Arthur Johnston
Published by: Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
What memories are triggered by music? What’s your memory of this song? Reflecting on my experience this morning, I can say that our memories are tied very much to experiences that give us strong emotional responses; both good and bad. Music acts as a great buffer in good and bad times and the songs we remember carry the same degree of poignancy. In a moment of serendipity, I was reminded of this song, of my father’s childhood, and of my struggles and successes just by picking up 8 pennies this morning. It gave me a lot of food for thought and made me wonder what kind of musical memories we would leave/are leaving for our kids. What are your thoughts?
My fellow bloggers were equally creative with their selections. Check out how others interpreted the theme – Papa Loves Mambo – below.
This post was inspired by a prompt from WP Daily Post: Weekly Photo Challenge: – Papa Loves Mambo – What sort of music was played in your house when you were growing up? What effect, (if any) did it have on your musical tastes.
Positive Motivation Tip: Music builds memories that last a lifetime and can impact our live choices. Enjoy Yours!
PHOTO CREDITS/ATTRIBUTIONS: All Photos copyrighted and from my Personal Collection.
Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
Mirth and Motivation
Positive Kismet
I also love to collect pennies that I find on the ground. I put them inside a small pouch that I keep in my bed side table. I always believed that these are lucky pennies.
Kindred spirit! 🙂 I love collecting them too and always say thanks for them.
Really motivating post. My experience will stay in my memory until my last day. Sometimes our difficult experiences make us strong.
I hear you… Hugs and blessings! <3
I do collect them, but there seem to be fewer these days, perhaps people are more careful.
Perhaps or others beat you to it… I see a lot more in the suburbs than I do in the city. 😆
This is such a beautiful post! Songs and scents always trigger memories for me 🙂
Likewise… and I can smell my Mom’s flowers now. TY!
What a beautiful sentiment and equally poignant post: it made me question whether we really appreciate the worth of pennies like our generation did before us? We are so obsessed with the process of digitization that we forget the money that brought us into the world.
Thank you Ana. Some countries no longer print pennies which I think is a shame. I love those 99Cent deals. 😆
I agree with you that pennies are a good reminder to treat all things (even those thought of as less important, worth less) with respect. I like that analogy. 🙂
I’m glad… TY! 🙂
We only pick up pennies when they are right side up, but we do collect Pennies from Heaven:)
Very interesting… What is your right side up? Heads? tails?
Where do I begin to list the memories brought on by music? Way too many. On a more practical note – we no longer have pennies here in Canada – phased out. So that in itself is a memory that someone may some day soon put to music! Great post.
Thank you Claudette. I’m glad we still have them here… What would the 99 Cent Stores and Sales do if we phase them out? 🙂
Reblogged this on Concierge Librarian.
Thank you for the reblog!
I do not really have any memories related to music and money but this is a great post. I loved the quote “Consuming less means throwing away less, while reusing things actually helps to save the planet as well as the pennies.” Sheherazade Goldsmith
Thank you dear one. There was another great money hit song in the 80s but I liked that song with no stories attached.
Very insightful perspective. Also, I’m loving this song. Billie Holiday will always be a classic.
Right? I love it too…
We always stop to pick up pennies. Even if just one – they are litter, if nothing else.
I actually don’t think I know this song, but I love the premise behind it. And your photos are lovely 🙂
Thank you… the premise is a good one indeed. 🙂
When I see a penny on the ground I pick it up, and I have heard it is lucky to do so, but I can’t in all honesty say anything has happened to me to substantiate that. Nevertheless, every time I do it, I feel something nice might just happen. Best to live in hope eh ?
Righto… best to live in hope. I have had a few lucky moments with them but the feeling is equally important. Whenever I pick them up, they make me feel good and hopeful so that’s good too. 🙂
Alas Canada has stopped making and using pennies but it is still wonderful to come across one. My youngest grandson and I started Penny walking a year ago and while we never found much in the way of the copper coin we found lots of other things including togetherness.
How beautiful…what a great way to connect. I love that you called it Penny Walking too, Chris. 🙂
Pennies From Heaven-I have always loved that song and it is a classic! “see a penny-pick it up-and all that day you’ll have good luck”
True… TY!
When I saw this title, the Pennies From Heaven song came right to my mind
Glad you did. It’s now playing in my head. 🙂
We don’t have pennies in the Philippines, and quite frankly it’s rare to see even the smallest amount of money lying around on the ground haha. People here are fast at snatching it up here that I never seem to see a coin by chance let alone pick up one. I’m not familiar with the song Pennies from Heaven, but I love the photo you took inspired by the WP Daily Post for the week. 🙂
Hahaha! I can relate to that one… 🙂