We Could Be Happy (“Happy” by Beth Crowley Parody)
New Hyde Park, NY
2022, Junior, Performing Arts
Verse 1
Don’t think that we’ve forgotten All the ways we did you wrong We just happened to ignore
All the pain you’ve undergone
But I’ve done a lot of thinking
And I’m sure that we mean well Though I don’t think we’ll be smiling When we wave our home farewell
Chorus
But maybe we’ll be happy
Just not quite as happy
As we could have been
If we cared for our seas
And maybe you’ll be healthy
Like, there will be some gloomy days But everyone goes through them
You could call it destiny
And I know one day we’ll feel regret But I bet it won’t hurt
If we don’t look too closely
And when we’re faced with our debt Of all we took from you
And the pain that we’ve caused you I hope we’ll still be happy
Verse 2
And oh we’ve kept it hidden
The damage we create
Cause it’s all for our prosperity And to make our species great
But I don’t think we can ignore it It’s time to stop this plight
Cause animals are suffering
But I’m sure we’ll be alright
Chorus
Cause maybe we’ll be happy
Even when the ocean is filled with Our plastic, oil, and debris
And I’m sure we’ll be forgiven Even when pollution
(Caused by us, by the way)
Spreads through the home of you and me
And I know one day we’ll have to pay The corals we’ve killed
The air that we’ve ruined
And when it stares us in the face
Well, we can’t ignore it
Because we destroyed it
But we’re gonna be happy
Bridge
And oh
Why do I have to pretend
That our future’s bright and blue Cause if I’m being honest
That is so far from the truth
Chorus
Cause we deserve to be unhappy It’s our responsibility
As we take and take cause
Humans “are the best”
Cause the earth’s no longer healthy And if we couldn’t see it, well then We should stop this song
To go and have our dumb eyes checked
Cause when we finally realized That we had it good
In this place that we live in
I know that we can make it right To help patch our home up
Cause we’ve got to own up
And then we could be happy
Yes we could be happy
Reflection
Reflection
I chose “Happy” by Beth Crowley for the parody because I felt that its humorous melody (and the humor in its original lyrics) fit the theme this year perfectly. I tried to use this song to illustrate the idea that our happiness now should be used as a foundation to ensure our happiness, and the health of our Earth and its oceans, in the future, because even small steps contribute to progress. I’ve written songs, articles, and poems on climate change before, and will continue to do so for the sake of this planet, because though climate change seems like such a monumental issue, it is a solvable one if our communities and the people stand in solidarity to protect our home. It comforts me that perhaps, with the endeavors and contributions of all of us, even in a few years from now we can make progress towards the happiness and health of generations to come. And that—the conservation of this beautiful planet we call home—would definitely make me happy.