Pennies From Heaven
Frank Sinatra & Count Basie Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Every time it rains
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
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

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

Overall Meaning

The song "Pennies From Heaven" is a classic tune originally composed by Arthur Johnston and written by Johnny Burke in 1936. The lyrics present an interesting analogy where the idea of fortune or good luck is compared to pennies falling from the sky, and the suggestion is that one can find their fortune in even the most unexpected places. The first verse refers to the fact that every time it rains, it rains pennies from heaven, and that every cloud contains these pennies, thus indicating that we should not be too quick to dismiss something as common as rain. The idea is that even in mundane occurrences like rain, there is something to be gained.


The chorus urges us to be prepared to catch these pennies by making sure to have our umbrellas upside down. It then goes on to suggest that the pennies can be traded for a package of sunshine and flowers, representing the things that we love. However, in order to get what we love, we must first experience and embrace the rain or negative experiences in life. Thunder is used to represent such experiences, and the chorus advises us not to run under a tree in order to avoid thunder but rather to face it head-on. By doing so, we will eventually be rewarded with those "pennies from heaven."


Line by Line Meaning

Every time it rains
Whenever it rains


It rains pennies from heaven
Money comes from nowhere when it rains


Don't you know each cloud contains
Do you not realize that each cloud carries


Pennies from heaven
Free money


You'll find your fortune
You will discover your wealth


Fallin' all over town
Scattered throughout the city


Be sure that your umbrella is upside down
Make sure your umbrella is turned upside down to catch the pennies


Trade them for a package of sunshine and flowers
Exchange the money for happiness and beauty


If you want the things you love
If you want what brings you joy


You must have showers
You must experience some difficulties


So when you hear it thunder
When you hear thunder


Don't run under a tree
Do not hide under a tree


There'll be pennies from heaven
Money will appear from nowhere


For you and me
For both of us




Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, DistroKid, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, PROSADIS, Capitol CMG Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Jack Reardon, Jean Broussolle, Alexandre Sacha Distel

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Comments from YouTube:

Jack Ambridge

Sinatra always has the best bands and arrangers backing him up, especially Basie the were made for each other. This is one of my favourites

David Garrick

You can see how Frank is enjoying himself here and it so adds to the performance.

Helena Seiler

Absolutely ! I had the same impression !!

MrAitraining

Frank loved basie

ozzie321

Hardest swinging band in the business. Frank Sinatra loved them. You can tell how much he's enjoying it.

theoldmet

Give some some props to the drummer too. Gregg (something) I think his name is. He could swing pretty good.

plang527

He loved performing with Count Basie. I think it was his finest work with Basie.

Mark Francis Sinatra Vinette

Two legends. Frank and Bill Basie together. Can't get better than this.

Rey Thomas

He is having SO much fun! He loved being with the Basie band. Absolutely loved it!

W F

Sinatra & Basie, it doesn't get any better.

More Comments

More Versions