The Price of Happiness
Single Out May 3
"Miranda's poetic lyric style leaves room for personal interpretation and an ever-evolving listening experience"
- someone someday probably
I hope you find your own meanings in these lyrics. However, if desired, you can consider the thoughts on the "about" page as a starting point.
TRAPPED IN AN IRISH DRINKING SONG
Gather ‘round the fire for a tale of desire
ending just the same as it’s begun
A lady’s eyes of green widened with a dream
A seamstress with a talent and story to be sung
She yearns for something more, to travel to New York
and build a better life after the war
Sew dresses to be sold for coin silver and gold
But she’s trapped in Irish drinking song with more verses to endure
(dah dee dah lah dee dah dee dah dee dum dee doo dee dah)
Her husband lost his job, spends their pennies at the pub,
she waits for him to return from the bar
One or two should appease, but the Irish live by threes
So he’s triple fisting pints, singing whiskey in the jar
She yearns for something more, to travel to New York
and build a better life after the war
Sew dresses to be sold for coin silver and gold
But she’s trapped in Irish drinking song with more verses to endure
(dah dee dah lah dee dah dee dah dee dum dee doo dee dah)
The mornin’ of their journey, she finds him outside Murphy’s
passed out on a sack of potatoes
No luck waking him up, she surrenders to the pub
And takes a pour of whiskey and two more for the road
She yearns for something more, to travel to New York
and build a better life after the war
Sew dresses to be sold for coin silver and gold
But she’s trapped in Irish drinking song with more verses to endure
(dah dee dah lah dee dah dee dah dee dum dee doo dee dah)
Herself, she calls a truce to swear off barley juice
and sails away anew to the rainbow’s end
But when one’s out at sea, rum gets passed to thee
Puking o’er the edge like a sailor drunk again
She yearns for something more, to travel to New York
and build a better life after the war
Sew dresses to be sold for coin silver and gold
But she’s trapped in Irish drinking song with more verses to endure
(dah dee dah lah dee dah dee dah dee dum dee doo dee dah)
Manhattan, she’s here at last, only water in her glass,
hopeful for the new life she’s begun
But living out her dreams is not as easy as it seems
On the island of opportunity and one hundred Irish pubs
She yearns for something more, a glass of tullamore
Maybe a pint or two will be in store
With stories to be told and good times to unfold
Cause she’s trapped in Irish drinking song with more verses to endure
(dah dee dah lah dee dah dee dah dee dum dee doo dee dah)
Now the moral of this story is you can dream of glory
and lead yourself to do what’s right from wrong
You can take advice and give up every vice
But you can’t take the whiskey out of an Irish song
Dah dee dah lah dee dah dah
The songs still going on
We’ll sing the song ’til we can’t sing songs no more
We’ll sing ’til all is sung and drink ’til all is drunk
Cause we’re trapped in Irish drinking song
with whiskey to be poured
Christmas Tree
I chopped down a Christmas tree
I took the life it’s given me
My smile creeps in like ivy
I strung it up with pretty lights
They come and go
But hypnotize me every single time
This holiday energy
Is making me believe
There’s more to love than loss
Melts the ice in my eyes
It always makes me cry
Every year this time
Every wish I’ve thought of you
And if I dared I’d make them true
But I’m terrified to choose you
What you get you get to lose
And I can’t bare any more bad news
It hurts to breathe sometimes
I know it’s better to lose
Then never have what you’ve
Wanted out of love
Still shivers from the snow
Remind me of my ghosts
And I’m so sick of loss
It seems to me
Nothing here ever lasts too long
This Christmas tree
Is shining but it’s already gone
It's a Doggie Blue Christmas
You brought in a mini tree
But it’s not even a place to pee
This Christmas
This Christmas
You hung me up a giant sock
But I can’t reach to chew it up
This Christmas
This Christmas
I don’t need expensive gifts
Just a few dog butts to sniff
Maybe just one squeaky toy
A treat for good girls and boys
You said it’s the best time of year
And then packed up to leave me here
This Christmas
This Christmas
Forget holiday vacations
To Tropical destinations
Why can’t you just relax
With me snuggled on your lap
I don’t need no Santa clause
To dress my little doggie paws
In miniature festive holiday boots
just wanna spend my time with you
It wouldn’t take a lot from you
To get me through my doggie blues
This Christmas
This Christmas
with you
REVERIE ALBUM LYRICS
FAR AS I CAN TELL
living like a relic dulling in its sheath
shining velvet, sharpened underneath
difference of opinion, resistance pulling threads
i’m still spinning quarters, slapping hand to head
waiting like a felon sharpening his teeth
reasons for redemption falling out of reach
wintered paths to heaven, seasons churn in bed
in my living quarters resting like the dead
how am I to figure this out
when all I ever do is doubt
turn on the TV to tune out the hell
it’s just getting louder as far as I can tell
tripping on my laces, chances slip from mind
can’t tie up loose ends losin' my paid time
sort through fact from visions fictitiously fed
drawing out the act with superstitions in my head
how am I to figure this out
when all I ever do is doubt
turn on the TV to tune out the hell
it’s just getting harder as far as I can tell
i just keep forgetting to write my prospects down
might as well be listing things for crossing out
heard its all subjective so now I’ve finally cracked
ripping down my effigy - we’ll see if I react
how am I to figure this out
when all I ever do is doubt
turn on the TV to tune out the hell
i’m just getting started as far as I can tell
PASSÉ MASTERPIECE
is this how it plays out? we fall to less than friends?
drift apart ‘til we sink down, riptide with no defense
i still picture it now - the end matching intent
retrospectively I doubt we could ever be strangers again
i haven’t heard your name in long stretches of time
don’t know if you’re alone, don’t know if you’re alive
not sure why i care, the paints already dry
keep on thinking back to nights when you were mine
there’s nothing I write down that’s makin sense to send
silently I’m drowning out feelings with my thoughts again
repeat chorus
memorizing you like you’d always be around
everything I knew is nothing useful now
new moon rising blue
sky reflects the ground framing history
a passé masterpiece the tide pulled out
repeat chorus
TIKI BAR
i know a place lit like the sunshine
where ships get wrecked to no surprise
happens all the time
blueberry skies, red watermelon
rum in disguise under umbrellas
find some peace of mind in concrete paradise
need a little sunshine on this island
life’s a beach but you can’t find it
i know what you’re seeking, it’s not far
meet me at the tiki bar
here’s a punchline to get you laughing
fruity rum and lime is what you’re lacking
i know how you feel, shit gets hard
meet me at the tiki bar
i know you hate rush hour traffic
i know you cry when straws are plastic
happens all the time
red sunset fades to dark blue water
saw a mermaid
i almost caught her to apologize for the rising tide
repeat chorus
sweet sweet sugar rush, fruity fruity rum
drinks sneak up on us - and another one
sweet sweet sugar rush, fruity fruity punch
day sneaks away from us - and another one
repeat chorus
LAWLESS ROMANCES
wedding guests get impressed
tearing up over love and fate
bridesmaid in a scarlet dress
red roses wilt on white cake
when they know, they know
when they don’t they guess
bet your money on her
she’ll end up in a white dress
but i loved you first
i know your worth
rehearsal nights rehearsing fights
you know practice makes perfect
too late to question fate
your best man’s your best chance to tell you it’s worth it
when you know, you know
when you don’t you guess
put your honey in a church
bring something to confess
that you loved me first
you know my worth
misery loves compromise
they’ll stick together on the course
predictable like the sunrise -
is there anything much worse?
ditch the toast, drive up the coast
make it to the beach by morning
take this road, wherever it goes
ignore the signs, just for the story
hold my tongue through the ceremony
exchanging stolen glances
riding through uncharted territory
count me out for lawless romances
when i know, i know
when i don’t i guess
put my money on you
ended up in a red dress
cus i knew her first
i know her worth
I knew her first
AT LEAST I FED THE DUCKS
i line up my feet on checkered tile floor
right, left, repeat - i’ve kept this pace before
fast lane with slow gain, losing what I've got
silence fills the room 'cause I’m not listening
sparks that light my fuse fizzle as I sink
small talk with big thoughts suppressed as I’m taught
feel it day by day
take it as a warning
things won’t be the same even if I hurry
passing time with pastel skies that paint the pond blush
i stop to feed the ducks
deep breath in the park just to play pretend
lie there till the dark creeps on in again
succumb to everyone following the crumbs
feel it day by day
take it as a warning
things won’t be the same even if I worry
and race away the darker days
time's too quick to rush
i stop to feed the ducks
stuck on my last words, poisoning my peace
struck right where it hurts, "i'm burdened when you bleed"
replay what I’d say if time went in reverse
feel it day by day
take it as a warning
things won’t be the same even if i’m sorry
just yesterday i saw your face close enough to touch
we stopped to feed the ducks
at least i fed the ducks
VILLAINS NOT IN THE NEWS
looking out your dirty window
past tells you what you need to see
young charmer with a knack for control
the venomous breed
locked and loaded black widow
world spins around you
watching lonely on your nightly patrol
crave a bite of something new
i know you
the kind of villain who don’t make it to the news
she went out displaying that dress
and your best friend told you she’s no lady
you don’t doubt her motive’s to tempt
and you’re not one to keep waiting
creepin in, a hollow hunter
claiming prey is what nature’s for
dark decisions mark your pattern
like the stripes mark the skirts you’ve torn
i know you
the kind of villain who don’t make it to the news
she said no but you bet she meant yes
‘cause your daddy taught you to be persuasive
took her home just to give it your best
while she can’t stop you, too faded
(i know you)
always leave your victims dazed and used
i can see the venom, veins start to bruise
i know you
the kind of villain who don’t make it to the news
i know you
leave your victims feeling dazed and used
i know you
see the venom in their veins start to bruise
i know you
FLIGHT OF FANCY
how deep is it in my mind
can’t rid of monsters that you can’t find
crimson berries on low vines
poisonous until they’re ripe
i guess this is my reality
you couldn’t stay that long
didn’t realize when you called me
you were already gone
reliving reshaped memories,
few pointless fantasies
i’m only human - defined by my delusions
flying on my flight of fancy
how far is it to the borderline
can’t run from monsters if you can’t hide
show me signs like peace of mind
bitter sweet on the rind
i guess the sky has been storming
couldn’t say how long
i didn’t realize when you warned me
you had already moved on
reliving reshaped memories
few pointless fantasies
i’m only human - content in my confusion
flying on my flight of fancy
the air is thicker when it’s all mine
can’t rid of monsters that you don’t mind
how long can this hold on to me
are there tricks to sanity
stuck in lost realities, misconstrued eternities
i’m only human - convinced of my conclusions
flying on my flight of fancy
NO ONE TO BE
barefoot in the mud
just someone dressed in calico
stone wallflower stance
i was never much
but enough to catch your straying eyes
that take what they can
you were chewin’ straw grass
didn’t ask what’s growin’ on your mind
i’d already seen you hummin’ to yourself
like you don’t care ‘bout nobody else
or how bad they bleed
weeds on the wall
might as well build them up with stone
stack odds evenly
cowards hide at home dreamin' hard
while cowboys freely roam
with no one to please
with no one to be
played a lion’s game in the barn
you batted me like yarn
tried to provoke
i knew the rules, didn’t dare
give in to you or else
you’d play me alone
slow seep from the oil
on your ivy skin that spreads wildly
tangled in your moods
that swing like we used to do
on my porch love seat
weeds on the wall
might as well build them up with stones
stack odds evenly
cowards hide at home dreamin' hard
while cowboys freely roam
with no where to be
with no one to be
think of us
when the dust settles from your run
as a fading roan
drink from your rusted can
in your callused hand
cornered back home
weeds on the wall
might as well build them up with stones
stack odds evenly
cowards hide at home dreamin' hard
while cowboys freely roam
with no one to be
ROXY
the cracks in the floor
keep letting her in
beers in the bathtub
but the ice is getting thin
says she misses New York
but doesn’t make the effort
he keeps the wine uncorked
trying to forget her
now roxy’s smoking cigarettes
on the hallway stairs
hearing folk music cassettes
answering her prayers
take it slow, ride it out
stick with the local line
headin all the way downtown
back to number nine
sing a sad slow song
dancin in the village
where the one comes along
every other minute
it’s just a gray dog
chasin that fat cat
rip up your pay stub
throw that pickled shot back
strike up the band
deal out a deck of cards
he’ll show his hand’s
missing the jack of hearts
but roxy’s smoking cigarettes
in the hallway
hearing folk music cassettes
answering her heartbreak
repeat chorus
it’s been a few months
since she’s opened this door
but stepping in
things are just as before
he’s trading his chores
for pints in the pub
wishes on a penny
with dishes in the bathtub
and roxy’s smoking cigarettes
in the stairwell
hearing folk music cassettes
singing her farewell
repeat chorus
SPLINTER HEART
you left me out in the rain
then hung me out to dry
since that night things aren’t the same
you don’t even try
every time you come around
you prop me up to knock me down
but when you cross the line
i’m on the other side
this isn’t my fault
you’re the one who chooses when I fall
so sick of blaming you
when sticks and stones hit skulls and bones
you break apart my splinter heart
is it the beer or the whisky that’s got you out of bounds?
don’t you see that you miss me when I stand my ground?
you crave that sound when we collide
you need the power that comes with the crown you’ve been denied
every time you’ve tried
you’ve fallen off to the dark side
repeat chorus
if this is all just a game to you, who will win this time?
when you play do you aim or do you just not have a type?
are you feeling bitter?
are you committed or playing with her?
well we’ll see who gets hurt while my heart’s in splinters
this isn’t my fault
you’re the one who chooses when I fall
so sick of blaming you
this game you play is give and take
after all you’ve put me through
you know I’m playing too
my splinter heart
YELLOW BEDROOM
why’d you leave just to crawl right back?
i’m on my knees feeling under attack
you watch me sleep, but I’m not sleeping too
i can’t believe i’m back next to you
what is it about this bedroom
that you keep on coming back to?
keep messing with my head
you know I’m doin fine without you
you look like someone
someone I once knew from a time I can’t return to
so I can’t trust you
sorry if I hurt you
it’s the state of mind i’m falling into
but I’m stronger this time
repeat chorus
…here
i know you were there last night
i see you lying by her side
i don’t know why you’re here now
nothing on this earth seems to keep you away
is it even worth the price I'd pay?
I’d ask you to go but I don’t know how
i feel a chill and i lose my cool
you’re one of a million and i’m just a fool
repeat chorus
maybe it’s your eyes
or the way you creep into my life
and I can’t sleep
ALTERNATIVE ENDING
is this fickle fate a fairytale meant for someone else?
i only catch the waves when the ship has sailed
can't reconcile myself
i’m always too hot, too cold, never just right
don’t feel those fall days when summer calls to say goodbye
is this my alternative ending?
i don’t believe in fairytales
in another narrative pretending
i deserve better than to fail
i fall to nightmares like a fatal snare weaving wicked spells
miscall my affairs 'cause they don’t play fair
don’t recognize myself
usually too used to being used
suddenly the story becomes too good to be true
repeat chorus
since when does heaven sing me angelic songs?
right when i tether myself to my fate, i fear i won’t belong
did you mislead me with ancient alchemy?
only here to tease me like a juliet balcony
repeat chorus
REVENGE OF THE FIRE EMBERS
if kindling sparks in the forest
with no one there to see
extinguishing the darkness
would it still ignite me
open eyes try to stop it
‘cause money grows on trees
cataclysmic knocking
one, two, three
haze rolls in, slowly, smoking
slipping from poetry to prose
and I know it’s not new news
hot summer simmers to an end
high temper dry enough to spread
remember it’s too late to mend
when fire embers seek revenge
apologies come with excuses
no remorse, no regrets
gaslighting fuses
lining our defense
the burnout overcomes me
i follow where it lets me go
and I know it’s nowhere new
repeat chorus
the cold front dances in, bitter wind
frozen branches, wax-dipped
wicker lit low
and I hope there’s somewhere new
WHITE OAK
too free to fail
white oaks will grow
in cold night air
through late spring snow
past the tree line
the air flows thinner
glow like tea lights’
fragile flicker
slowing your trail
fade in shadow
show life plays fair
all wanes to close
cast out a fight
praying like sinners
preordained plight
taut traps trigger
last one more night
wishing in whispers
settle to quiet
bare no winners
once running wild
you now stand still
again a child
free of free will
DIVINE INTERVENTION
pleased to meet ya
i’m not a people pleaser
but ill make you feel right at home
things might get choppy
like black belt karate
i’ll knock you out as friend or foe
don’t mean to be offensive
just have one question -
is this divine intervention for me?
you say you’re scheming
i say you’re dreaming
only lightening strikes me down
you say potato
i say fettuccini alfredo -
since you’re tryin to take me out
don’t mean to be offensive
just have one question -
is this divine intervention for me?
cus I’m feelin' like a god
i cannot be stopped
show me if you’ve got that immaculate touch
believe it or not
i’m the one calling these shots
i'll draw on two - your mind is blown
it might be magic
like King Arthur’s talent
i’ll pull the sword right from the stone
don’t mean to be offensive
just have one question -
is this divine intervention for me?
repeat chorus
said i'd stick to three?
keep it low key?
doesn’t sound like me
must have been another bitch
up tight, doesn’t live it up right,
coward of the night,
high strung like a kite -
some girls good but some girls should
get high on something light,
sip all night, liver in a fight -
limits out of sight and I’m out of my mind
turn up tonight or fall behind
let’s get lit, a little devine
is it next drink o’clock already?
i mix it up a lot, get ready
i have chosen to drink poison
matchin' boys in lederhosen
clinking glasses singing, "ein posit"
i like grass and grape and grain
can’t hold back I’m fannin' this flame
runnin' this game, chuggig' like a train
funny, I was gonna stick to seltzer keep it tame
oh god im feelin' great and
don’t tell me this nights forsaken
goin down like swoosh - that’s a free throw,
gonna pay for it though,
pray for me tomorrow
repeat chorus
TIKI REMIX
repeat song
five dollar chicken makes ya hot
honey check-in at the front
for some loco coco
slamming' rum time
pink wave for subway surfing
lady liberty be workin'
concrete jungle bird-watchin'
with a twist of lime
ooo-nana havana clubbin'
chase us down if rum you runnin'
never-sleeping city
just a broadway castaway
navy strength killing' pain
floating' by them hurricanes
combin' all these beaches
'cause these chicks on holiday
Music & Lyrics ©2021 Miranda Hardy Music (BMI)