- Album This song officially appears on the Post Card (UK version - Stereo) LP.
- Timeline This song has been recorded in 1968
Related sessions
This song has been recorded during the following studio sessions
Early October 1968 to early December 1968
Related songs
Officially appears on Post Card (UK version - Stereo)
Officially appears on Post Card (UK version - Stereo)
Officially appears on Post Card (UK version - Stereo)
Officially appears on Post Card (UK version - Stereo)
Officially appears on Post Card (UK version - Stereo)
Officially appears on Post Card (UK version - Stereo)
Officially appears on Post Card (UK version - Stereo)
Officially appears on Post Card (UK version - Stereo)
Officially appears on Post Card (UK version - Stereo)
Officially appears on Post Card (UK version - Stereo)
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Song facts
“Happiness Runs (Pebble And The Man)” is a song written by Donovan, and recorded by Mary Hopkin for her debut album “Post Card” released in 1969. Paul McCartney produced the whole album and played bass on this track.
‘Happiness Runs (Pebble And The Man)’ is an uptempo pearl of wisdom, one that Apple selected for its Wall‘s EP, a curious promotional record issued in cahoots with the manufacturers of ice cream.
From the liner notes of the 2010 reissue of “Post Card“:
This is just a happy song I like doing. It was the first one Donovan brought me.
Mary Hopkin – From New Musical Express, February 22, 1969
The three songs by Donovan are among the favourites on the LP… I like Donovan’s songs very much. One is ‘Happiness Runs.’ It’s just about happiness — a lighthearted song with orchestral accompaniment. But I also play guitar all the way through. ‘Voyage Of The Moon’ is a typical lovely Donovan song. This features two guitars behind the vocal. They’re played by Paul McCartney and Donovan. I don’t play here. I just sing. Donovan does a bit of singing from time to time. If you listen hard you can hear him. And Paul also plays a little bit on other tracks. The third Donovan song is called ‘Lord Of The Reedy River’, again accompanied by Donovan and Paul. This is a very soft and dreamy thing.
Mary Hopkin – From Melody Maker – December 28, 1968
Last updated on September 25, 2021
Lyrics
Little pebble upon the sand
Now you're lying here in my hand
How many years have you been here?
Little human upon the sand
From where I'm lying here in your hand
You to me are but a passing breeze
The sun will always shine where you stand
Depending in which land you may find yourself
Now, you have my blessing, go your way
La, la-la, la, la-la, la, la-la, la-la-la
La, la-la, la, la-la, la-la-la, la
Happiness runs in a circular motion
Thought is like a little boat upon the sea
All our souls are deeper than you can see
You can have everything if you let yourself be
Everybody is a part of anything, anyway
You can have everything if you let yourself be
Happiness runs, happiness runs
Happiness runs, happiness runs
Happiness runs, happiness runs
Happiness runs, happiness runs
Happiness runs, happiness runs
Happiness runs, happiness runs
Happiness runs in a circular motion
Thought is like a little boat upon the sea
All our souls are deeper than you can see
You can have everything if you let yourself be
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
La-la, la-la, la-la, la-la, let yourself be
Happiness runs, happiness runs
Happiness runs, happiness runs
Officially appears on
LP • Released in 1969
2:03 • Studio version • A1 • Mono
- Paul McCartney :
- Bass, Producer
- Donovan :
- Acoustic guitar
- Ken Scott :
- Engineering, Mixing engineer
- Mary Hopkin :
- Acoustic guitar, Vocals
- Session Recording:
- Early October 1968 to early December 1968
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Abbey Road ; Trident Studios ; Morgan Studios, London, UK
Post Card (UK version - Stereo)
LP • Released in 1969
2:03 • Studio version • A • Stereo
- Paul McCartney :
- Bass, Producer
- Donovan :
- Acoustic guitar
- Ken Scott :
- Engineering, Mixing engineer
- Mary Hopkin :
- Acoustic guitar, Vocals
- Session Recording:
- Early October 1968 to early December 1968
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Abbey Road ; Trident Studios ; Morgan Studios, London, UK
LP • Released in 1969
2:03 • Studio version • A • Stereo
- Paul McCartney :
- Bass, Producer
- Donovan :
- Acoustic guitar
- Ken Scott :
- Engineering, Mixing engineer
- Mary Hopkin :
- Acoustic guitar, Vocals
- Session Recording:
- Early October 1968 to early December 1968
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Abbey Road ; Trident Studios ; Morgan Studios, London, UK
Official album • Released in 2010
2:03 • Studio version • A2010 • Stereo • 2010 remaster
- Paul McCartney :
- Bass, Producer
- Donovan :
- Acoustic guitar
- Ken Scott :
- Engineering, Mixing engineer
- Mary Hopkin :
- Acoustic guitar, Vocals
- Guy Massey :
- Remastering
- Steve Rooke :
- Remastering
- Alex Wharton :
- Remastering
- Allan Rouse :
- Project co-ordinator
- Session Recording:
- Early October 1968 to early December 1968
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Abbey Road ; Trident Studios ; Morgan Studios, London, UK
Live performances
Paul McCartney has never played this song in concert.
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