Rags: The New American Musical: Penny a Tune

Penny a tune Penny a tune Tunes from around the block Tunes from afar Beautiful tunes Played by musicians Who played for the Czar Penny a tune (For a) Penny a tune (Only a penny) Empty your pockets and fill up our hats Music from the shops and the cold water flats All for a penny a tune All over the East Side they're making a beat Four quarter time in the air For kiddies and grannies And tenement crannies Working their fannies off there They bring us the rhythm of Rivington Street For just a penny a tune One things for sure, though We sweat and we stitch Where folks are poor that's where music is rich Music tonight and the long afternoon At only a penny a tune Stitch, pedal stitch Stitch, pedal stitch Oh Nathan you should see me working in this shop Here where the needles and the noises never stop So many things I've done I thought I couldn't do Oh Nathan, to be with you The days may be long and the work may be dull Patience and strength can wear thin The music comes near it Can lift up your spirit To hear it from seats by your win Oh I've got a boyfriend, and his name is Ben Ain't that a beautiful name He's got this rich cousin And work that Ben does in His factory will make Ben the same Some day he'll be boss there I know it, and then He'll be coming for me I don't know when But it's gonna be soon Left the factory in Minsk To cross the sea And look at me, I ain't come far A prince among men My Prince Street tycoon But I'll find Bella here And make a family And never make another damn cigar Oh sweet are the dreams of A hot afternoon Play it again For Bella and Ben At only a penny a tune Pots and pans and dishes Almost new, folks Usually a dime But just a nickel, for you We got apples sweet as spices Hey you can't beat our prices A loss we're taking All we're making Here is making do Aahh Aahh Listen to those Eastside melodies Old world, new world, jumbled up in strange harmonies Out of the noise and the dreams and the sweat Ain't it a wonder what music we get Priceless, and yet Just a penny a tune!