Workin' For Pennies
Longing Roads and Lovin' Dimes
Lyrics
Well the miles that lay between us are getting longer everyday
Expressing the increasing distance between the speaker and their loved one.
I don't know how much more that I'm gonna take
Feeling a strain and uncertainty about how much more separation can be endured.
Lord I took a job far from home and I spend too many nights on the road
Revealing that the speaker took a distant job, spending many lonely nights away.
While the girl that I love is home sleeping all alone
Highlighting the loneliness of the speaker's partner while they are away.
Well I made up my mind today
Decision to head back home is made today.
I'll be rollin' south right away
Committing to travel south immediately to reunite with the loved one.
Hold on baby your man is comin' home to stay
Assuring the partner that the speaker is returning to stay.
Well cause I'm on my way down to my old Dixie town
Heading towards an old Dixie town, symbolizing a return to roots.
Back in those hills where the simple life can still be found
Describing the simplicity of life in the hills and expressing a desire to return to it.
I've been chasing those dollar signs when I should've been holdin' that woman of mine
Regretting pursuing money instead of cherishing the relationship.
Gettin' ahead ain't worth leaving love behind
Stressing that career success isn't worth sacrificing love.
When you're workin' for pennies and you could've been lovin' a dime
Playing on the metaphor of "pennies" and "dime," emphasizing the value of love over material gains.
Well she used to call in the morning when I was working on the factory floor
Recalling a time when the partner used to call in the morning.
Fixin' some machine that don't care if I see her no more
Detailing the nature of the speaker's work, which doesn't care about personal relationships.
Well but thinkin' of her cute little smile, it kept me holding on for a while
Despite challenges, the memory of the partner's smile keeps the speaker going.
But a man needs more than a call on a telephone
Expressing the need for more than just distant phone calls in a relationship.
Oh my Chevy lord she's all gassed up
Describing the speaker's preparedness to return home.
I got a burger and a full coffee cup
List of provisions for the journey back home.
And enough Gary Stewart albums to get me home
Having enough music to accompany the journey back.
Yeah cause I'm on my way down to my old Dixie town
Reiterating the journey to the old Dixie town.
Back in those hills where the simple life can still be found
Highlighting the simplicity of life in the hills.
I've been chasing those dollar signs when I should've been holdin' that woman of mine
Reflecting on the missed opportunity to prioritize love over wealth.
Gettin' ahead ain't worth leaving love behind
Reiterating the idea that success is not worth sacrificing love.
Oh when you're workin' for pennies and you could've been lovin' a dime
Emphasizing the contrast between working for minimal financial gain and the potential for deep love.
Come on now
A call to action or encouragement.
Oh big ole' highway won't you carry me home
Requesting the highway to lead the speaker back home.
I've been a long, long time gone
Acknowledging the long period of separation.
Now I'm goin' back to the place that I belong
Expressing the intent to return to the place where the speaker belongs.
Well cause I'm on my way down to my old Dixie town
Repeating the journey to the old Dixie town.
Back in those hills where the simple life can still be found
Reiterating the desire to return to a simpler life in the hills.
Yeah I've been chasing those dollar signs when I should've been holdin' that woman of mine
Reflecting on the pursuit of wealth at the expense of love.
Gettin' ahead ain't worth leaving love behind
Reiterating that success is not worth sacrificing love.
Oh when you're workin' for pennies and you could've been lovin' a dime
Reemphasizing the central theme of working for minimal gain instead of embracing deep love.
When you're workin' for pennies and you could've been lovin' a dime
Repeating the idea that working for pennies contrasts with the potential for a valuable relationship.
Lord when you're workin' for pennies and you could've been lovin' a dime
Summarizing the overarching theme of the song, lamenting the choice of working for minimal gain instead of pursuing a meaningful relationship.
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