• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Mark Shepard Sings

A Life In Song: 4 Decades of Original Music

  • About
    • Bio
    • Mark Shepard Photos
    • Testimonials
  • Song Index
  • Full Albums
    • The Key To Your Cage (Full Album)
    • Spark and Flame CD
    • Purest Form of Trance CD
    • Visions and Voices CD
    • Home Across The Sea CD
    • The Fire Before the Flame CD
    • Ocean of Dreams CD
    • Eyes On The Horizon CD
    • Thirsty for the Sky CD
  • Songs
  • Contact

“Penny In The Jar” (solo acoustic 4-23-17) #45

April 25, 2017 · A Life In Song, Break Up Songs, healing songs, Life In Song 1980's, Songs of Transformation, Transformation Tunes, Videos

About This Song:

Song #45, “Penny In The Jar” (solo acoustic version recorded 4/23/17)

Lyrics:

Penny In The Jar

Song #45   |  July 1980   | recorded solo acoustic 4/23/17
Sleepless and tied up in knots,
I come back to you again.
In the past I asked for love,
Now all I ask is some affection
If it’s something that can’t happen now
I’ll try to understand
I’ll try to laugh and put a penny in the jar
Laugh and put a penny in the jar…

Think of me as a lover,
Think of me as a friend.
Think of me in any way that you possibly can
And when I start to wonder if you think of me at all
I try to laugh and put a penny in the jar
I laugh and put a penny in the jar…

If distance is the only thing that keeps us feeling free
Then baby I don’t know if there’s any hope for me
‘Cause every day that passes puts a penny in my hand
And when the evening comes, I put it in the jar
I laugh and put a penny in the jar…

Bridge:
Laugh and put a penny…
Put a penny in the jar
Laugh and put a penny…
Put a penny in the jar

If there’s a reason for our being here it’s a reason that is lost
Only those who love know how much love really costs
Time and time and time and time and
Time and time again
We just laugh and put a penny in the jar
Laugh and put a penny in the jar…

In the middle of the pain
We learn again that we’re alive
The selves that we’d forgotten
Begin to be revived
And there amidst the losing,
the gathering begins
And we laugh and put a penny in the jar
Laugh and put a penny in the jar
Laugh and put a penny in the jar
Laugh and put a penny in the jar…

Copyright 1980-2017 by Mark Shepard. All Rights Reserved. Used with permission.

Contact me.

Penny In The Jar Home Page

Filed Under: A Life In Song, Break Up Songs, healing songs, Life In Song 1980's, Songs of Transformation, Transformation Tunes, Videos

Previous Post: « Out of the Shadows (solo acoustic video 4-23-17) #89
Next Post: Freedom (Joe Mennonna Arrangement v. 1.04) #312 »

Primary Sidebar

A Life in Song Newsletter

Hey! Every time I record a new song I send a short email to let you know. If you want to be on the list sign up below...

Mark Shepard’s CDs

Like me on facebook

Some reviews & testimonials

Enjoying your songs so much…

Hello Mark. I am enjoying your songs so much! I’d love to see you play live somewhere.

Marianne

You have put a grown man in tears…

Mark, this song and message really hit home for me today. You have put a grown man in tears. Thank You for what you do. Sometimes I think you sound kind of cheesy, and then others, I think you are a genius, and I’m beginning to realize that you actually care about helping people. So hard to “get out of your own way” sometimes…thanks for the reminder.

Jeremy

They love (your song) and ask to listen to it, ALWAYS.

My name is Cecile. I teach kindergarten at OMSD. I had the pleasure of using your song Together We Can Change The World to help my students make a difference in this wonderful world! They love it and ask to listen to it, ALWAYS.

Cecile Arvizo

Love your lyrics!

Love your music! Love your lyrics!

Robin Bridgeford

I Love listening to all your songs…

Mark, you really are an amazing songwriter! I Love listening to all your songs and sitting in the creative aura they create!

Cheri

Been singing the chorus since the first day I heard it…

I sh*t you not when I say I’ve been singing the chorus to Honest Rock since the first day I heard it. I sing this every single day. Many times a day. Seriously. It’s like a mantra to me. It soothes me:-)

Gene Moore

Total awesomeness!!!

‘Let’s Run’ is MY FAVORITE so far.. I LOVE THIS ONE.. great job.. total awesomeness!!! I thank Jana Stanfield for introducing me to your gifts. I am grateful.

Merril

Your song was just perfect to start my day…

Mark, your song ‘Freedom (It’s Been  Long Road)’ was just perfect to start my day. I LOVE IT!  Thank you, Thank you.  Blessings to you and much gratitude for your musical gift.

Judy

Just awesome…

Your music is taking over my life and it’s awesome!

Eric

Love the “Key To Your Cage” album…

Love the “Key To Your Cage” album. I hear so many different influences and styles woven throughout the songs, really keeps it interesting from start to finish!

Dan Z

Your lyrics embody everything we hold sacred…

Your lyrics embody everything we hold sacred and dear as a faith community.

Gina Sullivan, Sisters of the Congregation of St. Joseph

For me these songs are transformational lessons in self-love…

Dear Mark, THANK YOU for sending *Spark & Flame*!!!! This CD certainly is a compilation of Conscious Love Songs! As I listen I am transported to memory after memory past, present and future, fulfilled and unfulfilled. I was flooded with many different emotions. I cried, laughed, held my breath and also breathed deep heart-centered breaths of connection to the Divine. I feel joy, grief, sadness, compassion, love, awe, freedom, kindness, gratitude and appreciation. For me these songs are transformational lessons in self-love, releasing, acceptance for what was, what is and who I am. Knowing that I am enough and that I am Divinely Loved.

J

I loved the song and listened to it 3 times….

Hi Mark, I just had to tell you this. I emailed my 3 granddaughters the song you wrote who are sisters with the youngest being 11 years old, has cerebral palsy and is very smart, is able to talk, very funny, uses a computer, is able to write, now is learning to play drums, emails me ‘Thanks. I do.’ I loved the song and listened to it 3 times.

Gail Russ

You write some great songs!

Hi Mark, You write some great songs! I really enjoyed listening to all of them on Spark and Flame. Thank you for all that you do. Keep up the good work! All the best.

Susan

Brilliant!

Brilliant! I LOVE seeing the words to all these beloved songs, thanks!

Mary F.

Never fails to move me…

Your incredible music never fails to move me. Thank you, Mark.

Paula

Song Search

Contact, Like, Follow, Donate

  • facebook
  • youtube
  • twitter
  • soundcloud
  • mail

Copyright © 2025 · Mark Shepard Sings
Powered by Success Marketing · Log in