Lyrics

Penny wore a paper crown,
Tossed tangerines against the sun;
Said she’d join the circus town,
They clapped and laughed for fun.

Teacups flying in a line,
Carpet marked a painted square;
Neighbours said, “She’ll grow out fine,
It’s childhood in the air.”

But Penny kept a secret spark
Hidden in her sleeve,
While voices said, “Be safe, be smart”.
She never did believe.

Seventeen and standing tall,
Laughter sharpened into tone;
“Dreamers slip on polished floors,
Clouds don’t pay the loan.”

She learned to answer every call,
Signed her name in tidy blue;
Built a life respectable,
Spoke in tones she never knew.

Still Penny kept a quiet flame
Tucked behind her hair,
Daylight wore another name,
Night would take her there.

Oh Penny, spin silver light,
Let the ceiling stare,
Queens may work till late at night
But reign in borrowed air.

Midnight circles start to rise,
Orbit slow and fair;
No applause and no surprise,
Still she feels it there.

Penny keeps what can’t be sold,
Something bright and rare,
Not a story loudly told
But balanced in the air.

Oh Penny, spin silver light,
Let the ceiling stare,
Queens may work till late at night
But reign in borrowed air.