Pennies From Heaven
Billie Holiday W/ Teddy Wilson & His Orchestra Lyrics
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It rains pennies from heaven
Don't you know each cloud contains
Pennies from heaven
You'll find your fortune
Fallin' all over town
Be sure that your umbrella is upside down
Trade them for a package of sunshine and flowers
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 me
The world was bright when you loved me
Sweet was the touch of your lips
The world went dark when you left me
And then there came a total eclipse
Nobody knows how cruel fate can be
How close together love and hate can be
Goodbye, just clean the slate for me
That's life I guess
In Billie Holiday's song "Pennies from Heaven," the lyrics talk about a world where everything will work out just fine. The song describes how it rains pennies from heaven every time it rains, and that each cloud in the sky contains these lucky pennies. The singer advises listeners to keep their umbrella upside down to catch as many of these pennies as possible because if they want the things they love, they must go through a few showers. This particular verse provides a metaphorical message that if people want good things to come in their lives, they must endure some difficult moments before reaching their goals.
The subsequent verse talks about how fate can be cruel and unpredictable. When someone loves deeply and loses that love, it can feel like a total eclipse, where the world goes dark. However, the singer advises listeners to clean the slate and move on because that's life. Ultimately, the song delivers a message of hope that even amidst a storm, good things will come, and the rain will eventually cease. The song encourages listeners to keep moving forward, knowing that better things are coming, and that the sun will soon shine again.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh every time it rains
Whenever rain occurs
It rains pennies from heaven
A metaphor that suggests good luck comes easily
Don't you know each cloud contains
Clouds are carriers of destiny or luck
Pennies from heaven
An allusion to the song's title
You'll find your fortune
Destiny is out there waiting for you
Fallin' all over town
Opportunities are everywhere
Be sure that your umbrella is upside down
Make yourself available to the good things in life
Trade them for a package of sunshine and flowers
Make the most of the opportunities in life
It you want the things you love
To achieve your desired result
You must have showers
You must take the good with the bad
So when you hear it thunder
An allusion to bad things happening
Don't run under a tree
Don't take shelter in a dangerous place
There'll be pennies from heaven
Good things will come to those who are cautious
For you and me
A reference to the song's audience
The world was bright when you loved me
Life was good when there was love
Sweet was the touch of your lips
A euphoric feeling from romantic love
The world went dark when you left me
Life without love is lonely and dark
And then there came a total eclipse
A metaphor suggesting devastation from love
Nobody knows how cruel fate can be
Life is unpredictable
How close together love and hate can be
Love and hate are two sides of the same coin
Goodbye, just clean the slate for me
Saying goodbye on a clean slate
That's life I guess
Life can be hard and unpredictable
Lyrics Β© O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Arthur Johnston, Johnny Burke
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@miangelb15
My favorite part in corrina, corrina is when Molly is singing this in the pool
@JoeHarkinsHimself
that sax, that sax, that sax . . . .and then Billie comes in. This - opinion alert - must be one of the most perfect moments in jazz ever recorded.
@hiphoplalala
Every time it rains it rains Pennies from heaven. Don't you know each cloud contains Pennies from heaven. You'll find yor 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 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 me.
@1caramarie
I loved this song from the time I was a little girl. I still sing it almost 60 years later ever time it rains and I'm outside. (Also, Walking in the Rain) I don't care who thinks I'm crazy. (I also dance to both.)
@iluvmorrissey
Such a beautiful song. I love the lyrics.. When you hear it thunder, don't run under a tree, there'll be pennies from heaven for you and me.
@ChrisplussTina96
I heard this in this tiny little vintage shop in my town and I literally stopped in my tracks. I was like, "I know this song from somewhere..." And the Pennies From Heaven line came up and I got so giddy for no reason! I was like, one of 25 people in this store, probably the only one other than my friend under 20 and people looked at me like "Calm down..." Just putting that out there... This song makes me happy :3
@slm22186
This is what I call happy music. That type of music that you just can't help to smile when you listen to it. :)
@Dracapalley
I have never heard a better version than Billie's.
@jarisafia
I take exception to "I was born at the wrong time" and such. Think about it: You wanna hear Billie Holiday? Wanna hear some Hoagie Carmichael? Ella FItzgerald? Nat King Cole? The Beatles? Elvis? Snoop Dogg? The Macarena? You CAN. Immediately. Grass is always greener, but remember we live in a day and age where you can embrace history more than ever. We need history. Songs like this are part of a rich, wonderful history. So just be positive and proud of that, maybe. It eases generation envy.
@bronson223
I wish I could go back in time ,the clothes ,the hair an yeah the men treated women different back then.I love the music.