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1.
Happiness Is the Way 03:35
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There is no way to happiness: happiness is the way It’s the way What should I do next and what have I done? Tomorrow, yesterday... And if I do nothing and if I go nowhere, am I really ok? I’ve got so much resentment and so many fears, how do I keep them at bay? And if I feel guilty and when I feel shameful, how can I finally repay? You tell me there is no way to happiness: happiness is the way You tell me there is no way to happiness: happiness is the way But what if I’m single? And what if I’m lonely? And nobody’s coming to play? And if I’ve got spots, and if I’ve got big feet, and if I’m old and grey I’m lost in confusion and lacking direction, I’m totally caught in the fray And I don’t know if I’m coming or going, whether I’ll leave or I’ll stay You tell me there is no way to happiness: happiness is the way (happy now) You tell me there is no way to happiness: happiness is the way (happy now) And I already have more than enough to be happy (happy now, happy now) I already have more than enough to be free (happy now) Yes, I already have more than enough to be happy (happy now, happy now) And I already have more than enough… (happy now) But do I have a heart? Do I have a soul? Can you find me with an x-ray? And if there are needles, pointed sharp needles, how will I find them in all this hay? There is no way to happiness: happiness is the way There is no way to happiness: happiness is the way Happiness is, happiness is, happiness is the way! Happiness is, happiness is, happiness is the way! There is no way to happiness: happiness is the way (oh, oh, oh!) There is no way to happiness: HAPPINESS IS THE WAY Come walk with me
2.
Heartwood 03:54
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And though the rain pours down upon this town Like heaven above was crying And while I watch the news, the world comes unglued The politicians are lying And now the money’s spent And I haven’t paid the rent It’s the winter of my discontent Nothing’s satisfying Still I have your laughter, still I have your laughter It’s the one thing, the one thing that pulls me back from this disaster My heartwood, you are my touchstone You are the reason that I’ll never be alone You are my heartwood, you are the sweetest cup You are the breath I breathe, the reason that I’ll never, never give up And though the fog surrounds this desperate town And clouds my point of view Still I break the bread, try to stay ahead And find my way through I need a lucky break, from this constant heartache I’ve had all I can take But there’s so much more to do Still I have your laughter, still I have your laughter It’s the one thing, the one thing that pulls me back from this disaster Your laughter, still I have your laughter It’s the one thing, the one thing that makes my pulse a little faster My heartwood, you are my touchstone You are the reason that I’ll never be alone You are my heartwood, you are the sweetest cup You are the breath I breathe, the reason that I’ll never, never give up One more mile upon this track, ten more miles and then I’m coming back A hundred miles on down this track, I remember, I remember You are my heartwood, you are my touchstone You are the reason that I’ll never be alone You are my heartwood, you are the overflowing cup You are the breath I breathe, the reason that I’ll never, never give up The breath I breathe, the reason that I’ll never, never give up The breath I breathe, the reason that I’ll never, I'll never give up I’ll never, never give up I’ll never, never give up
3.
Row This Boat With Me 03:40
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I don't need somebody to buy me flowers I don't need somebody to change my name I don't need somebody to protect me from dark showers I don't need somebody - I won't play that game Play that game But the river runs around us - I can see it flowing (oh) Yeah, the river runs around us - I wonder where it's going (oh) Will you row this boat with me? Climb on in and take the other oar Will you row this boat with me? We'll make our way to yonder shore Row this boat with me I don't need somebody as a pretty distraction I don't need somebody to cook meals and keep a home I don't need somebody for my ego's satisfaction No parading mini-me's I'd rather be alone Be alone But the river runs around us - I can see it flowing (oh) Yeah, the river runs around us… Will you row this boat with me? Climb on in and take the other oar Will you row this boat with me? We'll make our way to yonder shore Row this boat with me Marry me by the river...we don't need nothing else Marry me by the river…you be you, I'll be myself Marry me by the river...we're both looking so deep Marry me by the river…we'll make love and drift to sleep Will you row this boat with me? Climb on in and take the other oar Will you row this boat with me? We'll make our way to yonder shore Will you row this boat with me? Pull together in love and strength Will you row this boat with me? We'll find our way to the other bank Row this boat with me
4.
Gratitude Train 04:02
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Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh Ooh, ooh, ooh Outraged on the High Street: it's a one-way conversation How people are such idiots: you spew your condemnation You miss the springtime lullabies, the starry midnight skies The kindness in her eyes, don't you? This is your suffering, I want to ease your suffering, so will you Climb on board the Gratitude Train There's plenty of room so step inside Yeah, climb on board the Gratitude Train If you miss this one, there's another three minutes behind And life is more beautiful, I promise it's more beautiful Life is more beautiful when you catch a ride On the Gratitude Train Hopeless on the High Street: it's a one-way conversation How people can't be trusted, you're full of consternation You miss the whisp'ring of the trees, the sweet honey bees This delicate scented breeze, don't you? This is your suffering, I'm sorry for your suffering, please take my hand and Climb on board the Gratitude Train There's plenty of room so step inside Yeah, climb on board the Gratitude Train If you miss this one, there's another three minutes behind And life is more beautiful, I promise it's more beautiful Life is more beautiful when you, catch a ride On the Gratitude Train, on the Gratitude Train On the Gratitude Train (mind the gap), on the Gratitude Train (ready to depart) On the Gratitude Train (it's a free ride), on the Gratitude Train (it's a free ride) On the Gratitude Train (it's a free ride), on the Gratitude Train (it's a free ride) On the Gratitude Train
5.
Hello 04:36
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I see the furrow in your brow and your mouth turns in a scowl, oh Your jaw is gripping tense and somehow, you take offence, oh But your face is new to me so I can't begin to see What tears you up, what's going on Yeah, your face is new to me so I can't begin to see How and why it feels so wrong I guess you've fallen in the dirt And there's trouble in your heart Oh I know it sometimes hurts But I'm gonna do my part and say Hello, hello, hello, hello, hello - can't you see I'm smiling for you Hello, hello, hello, hello, hello - my eyes are shining for you Hello, hello, hello, hello, hello - these bells are chiming for you Hello, hello, hello, hello, hello - my beauty, hello Your anger ringing out: sharp sarcasm, rough blunt shout, oh Your eyes are hard, your lips are curled – you see the enemy all over this glorious world But I see the tears behind the mad, the good behind the bad I see myself in you I see the tears behind the mad, I see the good behind the bad Each time I look anew I guess you've fallen in the dirt And there's trouble in your heart Oh I know it sometimes hurts But I'm gonna do my part and say Hello, hello, hello, hello, hello - can't you see I'm smiling for you Hello, hello, hello, hello, hello - my eyes are shining for you Hello, hello, hello, hello, hello - these bells are chiming for you Hello, hello, hello, hello, hello - my beauty, hello Hello, hello, hello, hello, hello (I am looking) - I am looking deep into you Hello, hello, hello, hello, hello (the light is growing) - to the light that is growing in you Hello, hello, hello, hello, hello (your true nature) - your true nature, the Buddha in you Hello, hello, hello, hello, hello (I see Buddha) - I see the Buddha in you
6.
My Offering 03:24
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Here is (oh yeah) My offering (oh yeah) Here is The gift that I bring to you (HERE IN MY SOUL) Here is (HERE ARE MY TWO STRONG HANDS) My offering (THE SHAMEFUL SECRETS OF ALL I AM) Here is (IF YOU WANT ME, YOU HAVE ME BUT TAKE) The gift that I bring to you, that I bring to you (TAKE ME WHOLE, TAKE ME WHOLE) I bound my soul to a tree I left it there for you to see I wrapped my fate around a branch Suspended in the breath of chance I wait for revelation Knee deep in a lake of contemplation I wait, I wait for revolution The moon that rights the tide of evolution, oh yeah Here is (HERE IS MY OFFERING) My offering (HERE IS THE GIFT I BRING) Here is (HERE, RIGHT HERE) The gift that I bring to you (HERE IN MY SOUL) Here is (HERE ARE MY TWO STRONG HANDS) My offering (THE SHAMEFUL SECRETS OF ALL I AM) Here is (IF YOU WANT ME, YOU HAVE ME BUT TAKE) The gift that I bring to you, that I bring to you (TAKE ME WHOLE, TAKE ME WHOLE) I placed my memory on a rock And prayed to break out of this deadlock I wrote my name on the stony floor Like some Amazon conspirator I wait for inspiration I’m bathed in the beauty of this starry dedication And I wait, I wait for absolution To bless me with some peace and resolution, oh yeah Here is (HERE IS MY OFFERING) (oh yeah) My offering (HERE IS THE GIFT I BRING) (oh yeah) Here is (HERE, RIGHT HERE) The gift that I bring to you (HERE IN MY SOUL) (oh yeah) Here is (HERE ARE MY TWO STRONG HANDS) (oh yeah) My offering (THE SHAMEFUL SECRETS OF ALL I AM) (oh yeah) Here is (IF YOU WANT ME, YOU HAVE ME BUT TAKE) The gift that I bring to you, that I bring to you (TAKE ME WHOLE, TAKE ME WHOLE) Here is (HERE IS MY OFFERING) (oh yeah) My offering (HERE IS THE GIFT I BRING) (oh yeah) Here is (HERE, RIGHT HERE) The gift that I bring to you (HERE IN MY SOUL) (oh yeah) Here is (HERE ARE MY TWO STRONG HANDS) (oh yeah) My offering (THE SHAMEFUL SECRETS OF ALL I AM) (oh yeah) Here is (IF YOU WANT ME, YOU HAVE ME BUT TAKE) The gift that I bring to you, that I bring to you (TAKE ME WHOLE, TAKE ME WHOLE) That I bring to you (TAKE ME WHOLE, TAKE ME AS I AM)
7.
Oceans 03:50
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Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh Ooh, ooh, ooh Oceans of dreaming, gliding a while Migrating freely, my heart wears a smile Oceans of gratitude, oceans of peace Surfacing, floating, then diving so deep Radical trust: we're breathing together The pod's connection through stormiest weather Splashing and flipping, a tail or a fin Oceans of riding waves, formation swim Water holds me in her arms so tender Water is the place that I call home Water is my constant friend, water is my lover Water is my teacher and I know I'll never be alone I'll never be alone These oceans crystal clear, oceans of play Sounding harmonics, I send ripples away Oceans of singing, celebration Spy hopping, drifting, liberation Riding the currents, silver, jet black In other dimensions, I flip on my back Flowing and changing, oceans of healing Jumping for joy, I surrender to this feeling Water holds me in her arms so tender Water is the place that I call home Water is my constant friend, water is my lover Water is my teacher and I know I'll never be alone I'll never be alone I'll never be alone
8.
Wait for the Call 03:57
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My mama always told me, ‘Time never waits! You have to earn your place inside heaven’s gates’ My papa always told me, ‘Grab hold of each day! And let no person, place or thing ever stand in your way’ I trusted what they taught me even when my heart forgot me I worked until my knuckles bled I trusted what they taught me even when my heart forgot me The voices in my head…But I say After the riots I have run, after the wars I’ve fought and won After the fears I’ve overcome, after it’s all been said and done Yes, I’ve given it my all… Now I’ll WAIT FOR THE CALL My mama always told me, ‘Nothing comes for free: You have to build your own ship and sail across the sea’ My papa always told me, ‘Rely on no one else ‘Cause in the end, it’s true, you only have yourself’ I trusted every word, didn’t question what I heard Deadlines and dead ends I trusted every word, didn’t question what I heard The rules I could not bend…But I say After the riots I have run, after the wars I’ve fought and won After the fears I’ve overcome, after it’s all been said and done Yes, I’ve given it my all… Help me…Is someone watching over? Will you help me…Does anybody care? Oh, help me… Is anybody there? Hello? Is anybody there? I’ll WAIT FOR THE CALL I’ll WAIT FOR THE CALL I’ll WAIT FOR THE CALL - after the riots I have run, after the wars I’ve fought and won I’ll WAIT FOR THE CALL - after the fears I’ve overcome, after it’s all been said and done I’ll WAIT FOR THE CALL - after the riots I have run, after the wars I’ve fought and won Yes, I’ve given it my all I’ll WAIT FOR THE CALL - after the fears I’ve overcome, after it’s all been said and done Yes, I’ve given it my all Yes, I’ve given it my all… Now I’ll WAIT FOR THE CALL
9.
Pianissimo 04:10
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Pianissimo... Pianissimo... My love is a tornado ripping through our frontier town Your body wrapped so tightly inside this twisting cone of my wedding gown My love is a volcano pouring liquid fire This burning lava is our funeral pyre And I’m asking you what’s happened to our home And your answer is A three-word poem Your answer is Your love is the hushed midnight snow Your love is the sun’s sweet afterglow Under the mistletoe You kissed me, oh So softly – I barely knew it So softly – I talked right through it So softly – pianissimo My love is an avalanche crashing down the mountainside Till we’re buried deep under this weight and our bones collide My love is a tidal wave battering your shore Tearing us to pieces, leaves us flattened on the floor And I’m asking you what’s happened to our home And your answer is A three-word poem Your answer is And with these words my fear dissolves And with these words I am absolved And with these words I find my way And with these words the night becomes the day Your love is the hushed midnight snow Your love is the sun’s sweet afterglow Under the mistletoe You kissed me, oh So softly – I barely knew it So softly – I talked right through it So softly – pianissimo And your answer is A three-word poem Your answer is Pianissimo...
10.
Lemonade 03:45
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I’m making la la la la la la, la la la la lemonade Adding sugar to the lemons: lemonade Here it comes, I feel it coming, the lightning storm of my rage Crashing fierce in this wild jungle, my heart beats hard in my ribcage So I take that anger in my arms and I cradle her like a baby Yeah, I take that anger in my arms and I sing her soft to sleep Go to sleep, my darling, go to sleep my child Go to sleep, my darling, darling Here it comes, I feel it coming, the tornado of my fear Rampaging across these dusty plains, I feel it drawing near Here it comes, I feel it coming: the hurricane of my pain Sweeping through this darkened valley, drowning me in rain Go to sleep, my sorrow, go to sleep my child Go to sleep, my terror, go to sleep, shhhhh I’m making la la la la la la, la la la la lemonade Adding sugar to the lemons: I am not afraid I’m drinking in the light and I’m drinking in the shade How the bitterness turns sweet in lemonade How the bitterness turns sweet in lemonade Here it comes, I feel it coming, the radiant sun of delight Bathing me in happiness, glowing warm and bright So I take that joy into my arms and I cradle her like a baby And I kiss her and feed her and play with her tender This is the love, this is the love I keep, this is the love, this is the love I’m making la la la la la la, la la la la lemonade Adding sugar to the lemons: I am not afraid I’m drinking in the light and I’m drinking in the shade How the bitterness turns sweet in lemonade How the bitterness turns sweet, how the bitterness turns sweet How the bitterness turns sweet… La la la la la la, la la la la lemonade Adding sugar to the lemons: I am not afraid I’m drinking in the light and I’m drinking in the shade How the bitterness turns sweet in lemonade How the bitterness turns sweet in lemonade
11.
Sweep Out 03:44
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She's up the attic, going through disused clothing in miniature sizes Old school notebooks, uneven lettering, crumbling paperbacks She's up the attic, looking at porcelain dolls' heads, long lashes Well-loved bears, straw poking through the balding patches in the fabric...she says It's hot and dry up here amongst these vestiges of my past It's been so many years and I want to be clear at last Sweep out the dust and sweep out the mold, sweep out the lies that I've been told Sweep out resentment, sweep out regret, sweep out the greed and sweep out the debt Sweep out the anger, sweep out the hurt, sweep out the crumbs and sweep out the dirt Sweep out denial, sweep out mistakes, sweep out yesterday... He's down in the basement, faced with an over-stuffed armchair, stained striped cushions Two faulty desk lamps, heads bowed down as if they were praying He's down in the basement, handling a rusty drill and three loose hammer heads A dead air conditioner, yellow flex coiled up like a snake...he says It's cold and damp down here amongst these vestiges of my past It's been so many years and I want to be clear at last Sweep out the dust and sweep out the mold, sweep out the lies that I've been told Sweep out resentment, sweep out regret, sweep out the greed and sweep out the debt Sweep out the anger, sweep out the hurt (oh yeah), sweep out the crumbs and sweep out the dirt Sweep out denial, sweep out mistakes (oh yeah), so I’m Free - fresh and new as a baby (oh) Free - with a beginner's mind (yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah), I'll be Free - a world of ‘yes’ instead of ‘maybe’ (sha-ba-ba-ba-ba) Free - right now is my time, now is the time to Sweep out the dust and sweep out the mold (oh yeah), sweep out the lies that I've been told Sweep out resentment, sweep out regret, sweep out the greed and sweep out the debt (oh yeah) Sweep out the anger, sweep out the hurt, sweep out the crumbs and sweep out the dirt (oh yeah) Sweep out denial, sweep out mistakes, sweep out yesterday Whatever it takes, whatever it takes, I’m wide awake, I’m wide awake Sweep out the dust and sweep out the mold, sweep out the lies that I've been told Sweep out resentment, sweep out regret, sweep out the greed and sweep out the debt Sweep out the anger, sweep out the hurt, sweep out the crumbs and sweep out the dirt Sweep out denial, sweep out mistakes Sweep out, sweep out, sweep out…
12.
Be Beautiful, Be Yourself 04:31
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So you're shy, why not be shy? Shy is beautiful You're impulsive, forgetful and impulsive Wherever you go, whatever you do, you're beautiful You wouldn't be half so gorgeous if you tried to be someone else Take your dreams and fly, don't leave your heart so lonely on that shelf Be beautiful... Be beautiful, be yourself Be beautiful, be yourself You love watching the trains, nothing wrong with watching the trains In the rain, in the sun, you're beautiful So you're frightened, I can see that you're frightened In your fear and your pain, you're beautiful You wouldn't be half so gorgeous if you tried to be someone else Take your dreams and fly, don't leave your heart so lonely on that shelf Be beautiful... Be beautiful, be yourself You can hold your head up high, you can hold your head down low However you hold it, you're beautiful Be the best friend you've ever had 'Cause nothing about you is bad Nothing about you is bad Be beautiful, be yourself Be beautiful, be yourself 'Cause you wouldn't be half so gorgeous if you tried to be someone else Take your dreams and fly, don't leave your heart so lonely on that shelf You wouldn't be half so gorgeous...don't try to be someone else Take your dreams and fly, don't leave your heart so lonely on that shelf Be beautiful, be yourself Be beautiful, be yourself Be beautiful, be yourself
13.
Plenty 03:46
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More than enough, oh yes - I have plenty – oh, oh, oh I have More than enough, oh yes - I have plenty – oh, oh, oh Somehow I thought this was gonna fulfil me, but really, it doesn't do the trick (no, no, no, no) I have so much of everything but I'm not satisfied, I feel empty and sick (no, no, no, no) And those magazines tell me what I need, and those tv ads tell me to spend And those hours on the internet when I lose myself, looking at this, looking at that, without end... I forget that I have More than enough, oh yes - I have plenty – oh, oh, oh I have More than enough, oh yes - I have plenty – oh, oh, oh And all of these possessions can become my prime obsession – this is how I go astray Yeah, all of these possessions create fear and cause depression – I don't wanna live this way! When life feels like some endless treadmill and the glories of earth pass me by (no, no, no, no) An empty promise, this modern illusion, yeah, capitalism's great lie (no, no, no, no) I feel the craving for some stimulation so I won't be so alone Feel the craving for a person or a programme or a tablet, these urges leading me far from home... I forget that I have More than enough, oh yes - I have plenty – oh, oh, oh I have More than enough, oh yes - I have plenty – oh, oh, oh With all of this consuming, I can miss the roses blooming: this is how I go astray Yeah, all of this consuming leads me to some warped assuming – I don't wanna live this way Meanwhile pollution fills the air and discontent grows and grows Meanwhile the waters are turning toxic, the garbage overflows So I shed this fixation and found that I was freed I STOP when I reach for something new, I have more than I need, I have more – I have More than enough, oh yes - I have plenty – oh, oh, oh I have More than enough, oh yes - I have plenty – oh, oh, oh In this moment, I arrive, I'm so happy I'm alive, no longer gone astray In this moment, I arrive, leave behind this restless drive – how I love to live this way I know that I have plenty

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A collection of songs celebrating joy!

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released May 24, 2020

All songs written, performed, programmed, engineered and produced by Monica Max West

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Monica Max West London, UK

Max is a joyful singer-songwriter, originally from Chicago, but now residing in London, UK. She is a feminist, Buddhist, and joyful Earth dweller, a proud member of Extinction Rebellion, a wildlife photographer and the creator of the YouTube show "Moonbow the Sun Bear"! ... more

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