Love And Happiness
Emmylou Harris Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Here's a wishing well
Here's a penny for
Any thought it is
That makes you smile
Every diamond dream
Everything that brings
Love and happiness
To your life

Here's a rabbit's food
Take it when you go
So you'll always know
You're safe from harm
Wear your ruby shoes
When you're far away
So you'll always stay
Home in your heart

You will always have a lucky star
That shines because of what you are
Even in the deepest dark
Because your aim is true
And if I could only have one wish
Darling, then I would be this
Love and happiness for you

Here's a spinning wheel
Use it once you've learned
There's a way to turn
The straw to gold
Here's a rosary
Count on every bead
With a prayer to keep
The hope you hold

You will always have a lucky star
That shines because of what you are
Even in the deepest dark
Because your aim is true
And if I could only have one wish
Darling, then it would be this
Love and happiness fot you
And if I could only have one wish




Darling, then it would be this
Love and happiness for you

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Love and Happiness" by Emmylou Harris revolve around the notion of wishing and hoping for love and joy in life. The first two stanzas talk about offering well wishes, pennies, and rabbit's food (all known symbols of good luck) to the listener, urging them to find reasons to smile and bringing love and happiness to their life.


The third stanza is a bit more personal, with Harris telling the listener that they will always have a lucky star that shines because of who they are. It is a recognition that when you stay true to yourself and continue to work towards your goals (the aim is true), it creates a sense of light and hope even in difficult times. The final stanza is a call to learn and grow, with Harris suggesting that the listener use the spinning wheel to turn straw to gold (a reference to the Rumplestiltskin fairy tale) and count on every bead of the rosary to keep the hope they hold.


Overall, the song encourages listeners to find hope and joy in everyday life and to keep their eyes on their goals, even when the going gets tough. It is a heartfelt message that remains relevant and uplifting decades after it was written.


Line by Line Meaning

Here's a wishing well
A symbol of hope and opportunity that we all have access to


Here's a penny for
Something small, but precious, that we can spare to share with others in hopes of bringing a smile to their face


Any thought it is
No matter how small, insignificant, or random a thought may be, it is worth cherishing if it brings joy into our lives


That makes you smile
The ultimate goal of our thoughts - to bring happiness and positivity into our lives


Every diamond dream
Our greatest aspirations, hopes, and goals that shine bright like diamonds


Everything that brings
Anything that adds meaning, joy, and fulfillment to our lives


Love and happiness
The two most important things in life that everyone desires and deserves


Here's a rabbit's food
A reminder to keep something close that provides a sense of safety and comfort


Take it when you go
To always remember that the things that bring us comfort and security can be taken with us wherever we go


So you'll always know
To never forget, even when things get tough, that we all have sources of strength and comfort to draw from


You're safe from harm
That our sources of comfort can shield us from the harms of the world and provide us with a sense of security


Wear your ruby shoes
A reference to the red shoes that Dorothy wears in the Wizard of Oz - a symbol of staying true to oneself and never losing sight of home


When you're far away
To remember to keep our sense of home close, even when we are physically distant


So you'll always stay
To always keep our roots and sense of identity close, even when we are far away from our physical homes


Home in your heart
A reminder that our homes are not only physical structures, but they can also be found within ourselves and the people we love


You will always have a lucky star
To always remember that we all have something special about us that shines bright and can guide us through difficult times


That shines because of what you are
That our unique qualities and traits are what make us shine and stand out in the world


Even in the deepest dark
That even in the toughest and most challenging times, we all have something within us that can light the way forward


Because your aim is true
That staying true to our values, beliefs, and passions can guide us forward and ensure that we stay on the right path


And if I could only have one wish
A statement of dedication and commitment to helping others find love and happiness, no matter what


Darling, then I would be this
Expressing a deep connection and feeling of affection towards the other person


Love and happiness for you
The ultimate goal and wish for everyone - that they find love and happiness in their lives


Here's a spinning wheel
A symbol of transformation and the power to turn something ordinary into something extraordinary


Use it once you've learned
To never stop learning, growing, and seeking out new knowledge and experiences


There's a way to turn
To be optimistic and hopeful, even when things seem impossible or challenging


The straw to gold
To make something beautiful and valuable out of something ordinary or seemingly worthless


Here's a rosary
A symbol of faith, devotion, and prayer, and the hope and strength it can bring to our lives


Count on every bead
To never stop believing in the power of prayer and the comfort it can bring to our lives


With a prayer to keep
A reminder that our faith, hopes, and desires can keep us grounded and focused even in the toughest times


The hope you hold
To hold on to our hopes and dreams, no matter what, and believe that anything is possible




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: EMMYLOU HARRIS, KIMMIE RHODES

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@dand4692

Here's a wishing well, here's a penny for
Any thought it is that makes you smile
Every diamond dream, everything that brings
Love and happiness to your life
Here's a rabbit's foot, take it when you go
So, you'll always know you're safe from harm
Wear your ruby shoes when you're far away
So, you'll always stay home in your heart
You will always have a lucky star
That shines because of what you are
Even in the deepest dark because your aim is true
And if I could only have one wish, darlin' then
It would be this, love and happiness for you
Here's a spinning wheel, use it once you've learned
There's a way to turn the straw to gold
Here's a rosary, count on every bead
With a prayer to keep the hope you hold
You will always have a lucky star
That shines because of what you are
Even in the deepest dark because your aim is true
And if I could only have one wish, darlin' then
It would be this, love and happiness for you
And if I could only have one wish, darlin' then
It would be this, love and happiness for you



All comments from YouTube:

@hupotasso4705

I love that instead of giving a wedding toast, last week, Eugene Levy (of Schitt’s Creek fame) and his wife sang this duet together for their daughter and son-in-law at their daughter’s wedding.

@jamberstone1

Omg thank you for sharing that 💖 💗 💕 💓 ❤️ 💜

@rosemarymurphy9241

This beautiful song performed by the two legends Mark Knopfler and Emmylou Harris.The voices dovetail superbly. Absolute gold standard.

@danielpdoyle5741

Simply divine, two really talented artist. Love Emmy Lou and her music. I've been collecting her music for almost 50 years and never tire of it. Daniel D

@jonathanstimes8487

When I danced with my daughter at her wedding 10 years ago, it was to this wonderful song. Pure gold.

@davidparnell1893

A guitar strap upon your shoulder...a silver halo of hair as you grow older...your angel's voice I hear so bolder...your warming thoughts to hold me over...A Gibson guitar and words so true...God bless Emmylou...

@Susan1Minnie

Oh, David Parnell, what perfect wording for the world’s little singbird, Emmylou!

@patriciaweiss4446

Your comment is exquisite poetry

@lindalafferty1846

"And if I could only have one wish, darlin' then it would be this, love and happiness for you." A beautiful song and an even more beautiful gift I received from an old friend. Thank you!

@ItsWaldo

Thanks Linda...glad you liked it  :-)

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