Indian Head Penny
Hazell Dean · Other Songs - Hazell Dean
The last one they ever made, you should've seen me shine
When I landed on the counter they gave me to a kid
Making change for a jaw breaker was the first thing that I did
I got traded for a pocket knife, two marbles and some string
Wound up on a railroad track waiting for a train
Snatched up by a hobo and turned right into wine
Pitched up against the wall at least a thousand times
Round and round a penny goes
Round and back again
Listen and I'll tell you
The places that I've been
I was stolen from a banker by Pretty Boy Floyd and then
He gave me to a farmer who was trying to save his land
I was good luck to a soldier back in WWII
He lost me in a poker game the day the war was through
I got stuck behind the back seat of a '51 Chevrolet
Spare change in the sixties, getting worthless every day
Not it's piggy banks and gum machines
And occasional wishing wells
Or laying on a bar room floor
As far and wide
So both of us can dare
A promise I will love and bide
That's all I have to share
A chance to sail among the stars
That few will ever see
To feel the deepest missing you
That most think cannot be
A heart that beats for only one
and loves you fast and true
A promise I will love and bide
That's all I have for you
These things I have to give to you
Their value isn't much
Just things that you can barely see
And rearely ever touch
A hand to hold when we're alone
And no one seems to care
A gentle touch to reassure
And tell you I'm still there
To try my best to reminisce
Our dreams that all come true
A promise I will love and bide
That's all I have for you
My promise I will love and bide
This I give to you...
Indian Head Penny
Hazell Dean's "Indian Head Penny" stands as a notable song in her discography, reflecting the soulful and rhythmic qualities that defined her career. Emerging from a period where she established herself as a significant voice in British soul and R&B, the track showcases her distinctive vocal delivery and emotive phrasing. While the song may not have achieved the same immediate chart dominance as some of her other singles, it remains a cherished recording among fans of the genre. Dean's ability to convey deep feeling through her music is evident throughout her body of work, from early hits to later explorations. This particular recording captures the essence of her style, blending traditional soul influences with a contemporary edge that resonated with audiences during her active years.