This is another song written in March of 1992 in Budapest. I don’t know what was in the water but the grey skies and the realisation of being on the other side of the world must have been acting as my dark muse.
This was a reflection on the fact that I had processed a betrayal and had come to peace with the rebuilding of a relationship, at least on the surface.
But as this song reveals, there were still echoes of trauma rattling around down below.
The line, “no second lovers, no second takes”, is put forward as an ideal situation upon which happiness can be built. But can it? Isn’t it better to have taken the emotional disturbances on board and looked for some fundamentally steady bedrock within the relationship for anchoring future endeavours?
2025 Steve says yes, but it sounds like 1992 Steve says no. Well, at least his poet side.
Happy Are Those Lyrics
Happy are those who meet in the spring
Whilst leaves are new and barriers thin
No need for secrecy, no need for defences
No legacy of deception or offences
Happy are those whilst seasons are fresh
They have the key to life’s treasure chest
No foggy conscience, no time for guilt
The perfect foundation on which love is built
Happy are those who’ve made few mistakes
No secret lovers, no second takes
A full fund of character, perfect integrity
A trustworthy partner, a life victory
[chorus]
Happy are those, happy are few
HAPPINESS, HAPPINESS, how do you do?
Your face is familiar, we’ve met before
I know you can’t stay, (let me show you the door)
Happy are those who can’t understand
The bitterness issuing out through my hand
The reason for writing, the reason for singing
The grip of the pain when your heart memory’s stinging
Happy are those few, happy are those
Whose partner’s transgressions nobody knows
Innocence, fantasy, ignorant bliss
It’s better than feeling betrayed by a kiss
Happy are those who are dead to themselves
Who were settled in spring to the sound of church bells
Let them dissolve and grow deaf to the pain
Of a world that is hurting again and again
[chorus]
Happy are those, happy are few
HAPPINESS, HAPPINESS, how do you do?
Your face is familiar, we’ve met before
I know you can’t stay, (let me show you the door)