To Be Happy

Little boy,
Swinging on his swing,
Smiling at everything,
He’s just trying to be happy.

Little girl,
Climbing in her tree,
As high as can be,
She’s just trying to be happy.

Young boy,
In the front row,
Just watching the show.
Thinking he can be happy.

Young girl,
In the bright lights,
Heart set on the spotlight.
Thinking she can be happy.

And all the things they told you,
All the things you thought true,
Just lies that they sold you.
Telling you how to be happy.
And all the things you once knew,
Were just stories for you,
Designed to control you,
But you see what you want to see.

Weary dad,
In the work queue,
Doing what he has to,
He wants to be happy.

Burnt-out mum,
Working the night shift,
Waiting for the lift,
She wants to be happy.

Tired man,
On the subway,
Trying to get away,
He wants to be happy.

Old lady,
She’s all alone,
Not wanting to go home,
She wants to be happy.

And all the things they told you,
All the things you thought true,
Just lies that they sold you.
Telling you how to be happy.
And all the things you once knew,
Were just stories for you,
Designed to control you,
But you see what you want to see.

But if you let the past fade,
Forget the mistakes made,
Give up this crazy charade,
Maybe you can be happy.

It is so easy to be wrong,
Getting confused as we move along,
Fair is the road you’re on,
Who knows where it’s going?

Hiding pain in plain sight,
Behind your cheap disguise,
Without even knowing why,
Or if it even matters.

And all the things they told you,
All the things you thought true,
Just lies that they sold you.
Telling you how to be happy.
And all the things you once knew,
Were just stories for you,
Designed to control you,
But you see what you want to see.

But you see what you want to see.
But you see what you want to see.