Birthday songs

Subject: Birthday songs
From: CeltArctic
Date: 14 Apr 07 - 07:31 PM

Having just passed my own last month, I started thinking about this topic. Besides the usual "Happy Birthday to you..." song traditionally sung to people celebrating B-days, are there any other ones that have become ritual in your area?

One friends sing here in Yellowknife is sung to a rather mournful tune as a joke:

Happy Birthday
Happy Birthday
People dying everywhere
People crying everywhere
But Happy Birthday
Happy Birthday.

Moira

Subject: Lyr Add: HAPPY BIRTHDAY LISA (Michael Jackson)
From: Azizi
Date: 14 Apr 07 - 08:01 PM

Belated Happy Birthday, CeltArctic {Moira}.

As to Happy Birthday songs, if you can get YouTube, check out this delightful clip:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LISA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNKvPSgbRdg

Added November 04, 2006; From simpsonsbr
"Bart and Michael Jackson - Happy Birthday Lisa"

-snip-

Here's the lyrics to that song:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LISA
[Michael Jackson

(from the simpsons)[television series]

Michael:
Lisa, it's your birthday.
God bless you this day.
You gave me the gift of a little sister,
And I'm proud of you today.

Michael and Bart:
Lisa, it's your birthday.
Happy birthday, Lisa.
Lisa, it's your birthday.
Happy birthday, Lisa.

Michael:
I wish you love and good will.
I wish you peace and joy.

Bart:
I wish you better than your heart desires.

Michael:
And your first kiss from a boy.

Michael and Bart:
Lisa, it's your birthday.
Happy birthday, Lisa.
Lisa, it's your birthday.
Happy birthday, Lisa.

Bart:
Yeah!


http://www.stlyrics.com/lyrics/thesimpsons/lisasbirthdaysong.htm

Subject: RE: Birthday songs
From: Azizi
Date: 14 Apr 07 - 08:08 PM

Here's a children's rhyme. Though it's not exactly a song, it fits the happy birthday theme.


Happy birthday to you.
You belong in a zoo.
You look like a monkey.
And you smell like one too.

Subject: RE: Birthday songs
From: CeltArctic
Date: 14 Apr 07 - 08:38 PM

A group I sing with used to do a medley of B-day songs including the regular "Happy Birthday" song, the morbid one about people dying (see above), and the following:

the one from the Flintstones:

Happy anniversary, happy anniversary
Happy anniversary, happy anniversary
Happy happy happy happy happy anniversary
etc (you get the idea)

and ending with

Why were you born so beautiful?
Why were you born at all.
You're no bloody use to anyone,
You're no bloody use at all!

(yes, I know - we're a jolly lot up here in the North!)

Moira

Subject: RE: Birthday songs
From: Rog Peek
Date: 15 Apr 07 - 04:19 AM

Happy Birthday to you
Squashed tomatoes and stew
Bread and butter in the gutter
Happy Bithday to you

Daft eh!

Subject: RE: Birthday songs
From: Little Robyn
Date: 15 Apr 07 - 04:21 AM

About 50 years ago we saw a movie with Farley Granger playing a spoilt rich boy/criminal who was being transported across country and he convinced his guards to stop off at his mother's house (mansion really) so he could sing a special birthday song to her. It was a ploy to try to escape (and I don't remember if it worked) but she was having a big party and Farley Granger did sing to her and the song has stayed in our memory banks ever since. It's sung to Twinkle twinkle with a slight modification at the end:

Happy birthday Mother dear,
You will always find me near,
Close to you year after year,
Happy birthday Mother dear.

I guess it was written by a script writer so doesn't really qualify as a genuine birthday song but we used to sing it, and even tho' we've forgotten the name of the film it was in or how it turned out in the end, my sisters and I remember it.
Robyn

Subject: RE: Birthday songs
From: Sooz
Date: 15 Apr 07 - 05:28 AM

Why was he born so beautiful?
Why was he born at all?
He's no bloody use to anyone
He's no bloody use at all.

Subject: RE: Birthday songs
From: Dan Schatz
Date: 15 Apr 07 - 06:56 PM

The Potluck Singers in Eaton, NH sing:

"We wish you a happy birthday
A joyous and celebrated birthday
To our friend _______
May you have many many more."

(I may not be remembering the words correctly.) And of course, "Why Was He/She/They Born so Beautiful," as posted by Sooz, is extremely popular with the Washington, DC crowd.

Dan Schatz

Subject: RE: Birthday songs
From: s&r
Date: 15 Apr 07 - 07:07 PM

Someone's having a birthday
Now we've all been told
we wish him/her many happy returns
Now he/she's ........years old


Followed by the usual H B T Y

Stu

Subject: RE: Birthday songs
From: leeneia
Date: 15 Apr 07 - 07:19 PM

When my husband turned forty, I wrote a real beauty. I believe it w2as a round with a bass ground. it was for the church choir to sing,and they did it up brown.

Lost it since then, but somebody could write another. (To write a round, you leave out the fourth and seventh notes of the scale.) The original "Happy Birthday" is getting well worn.

Subject: RE: Birthday songs
From: GUEST,lauren
Date: 16 Apr 07 - 10:20 PM

Happy birf,vkfkffflfkvkffmvkvkfkfmvkvkfkfmfmvvkffm

Subject: Lyr Add: CUT THE CAKE (John McCutcheon)
From: open mike
Date: 17 Apr 07 - 01:40 AM

John McCutcheon does a great one
that says :
It's your birthday we wish you many more
health and wealth and friends by the score
cut the cake and let's eat some more
happy birthday to you.

he sings it at every concert..
and dedicates it to someone
who is having a birthday.

it is off of his Howjadoo album
this should be added to the D.T.
data base (if it is not already there)

Cut the Cake
words & music by Tina Liza Jones

We're gonna let 2nd grade out early today
Which made little Mikey kinda blue
He just turned 7 years old that day
And he thought he'd get a party at school
He walked back home and he's taken off his guard
There's chairs and tables all over the yard
And his friends jumped up and they hollered real hard,
"Happy Birthday to You!"

CHORUS:

It makes me think of the good old days
Happy birthday to you
You sure grew out of your baby ways
Happy birthday to you
(7th 23rd, 92nd) birthday we wish you many more
Health and wealth and friends by the score
Cut the cake and let's eat some more
Happy birthday to you

Now Mike's 22 and he's working for his Pop
And his head's full of business thru and thru
He was planning out a whole new system at the shop
And he forgot he had a birthday due
He drove back home and he's taken off his guard
There's chairs and tables all over the yard
And his friends jumped up and they hollered real hard,
"Happy Birthday to You!"

CHORUS

Now it's old man Michael in a rocking chair
Admiring the view
He's still got all his teeth and he's still got all his hair
And today he's 92
He turns in his seat and he's taken off his guard
There's chairs and tables all over the yard
And his friends jumped up and they hollered real hard,
"Happy Birthday to You!"

CHORUS

Subject: RE: Birthday songs
From: CeltArctic
Date: 17 Apr 07 - 10:55 AM

These are all neat!

I have been trying to remember the words and tune to a traditional French B-day song I've heard a few times, but the song's just not coming back to me.

Anyone know any ones from other countries?

Moira

Subject: RE: Birthday songs
From: Bill D
Date: 17 Apr 07 - 02:33 PM

"Happy Birthday
Happy Birthday
People dying everywhere
People crying everywhere
But Happy Birthday
Happy Birthday."

it's to "The Volga Boatmen"
Happy BIRTHday...ugnnn
Happy BIRTHday...ugnnn

"When you reach the age you are,
Your demise cannot be far.
Happy BIRTHday...ugnnn
Happy BIRTHday...ugnnn"

and so on in that ilk..

one about "flames from candles on your cake"

Subject: RE: Birthday songs
From: GUEST,Joanna
Date: 23 Jun 07 - 07:46 AM

I remembered when I was in Elementary a birthday song sung by our English teacher... I can't remember the whole lyrics but it goes something like this...

It's somewhat sad..

Oh Happy Birthday
Oh Happy Birthday

Raindrops falling from the skies
People dieing just like flies

Oh Happy Birthday
Oh Happy Birthday


that's what I remember... anyone knows the whole lyrics???
if you do can you email it to me?

[e-mail]

thanks in advance!

Subject: RE: Birthday songs
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 23 Jun 07 - 08:29 AM

Get someone from the Netherlands to sing you the traditional Dutch birthday song. It's a gas, and would lend itself very well to the sort of harmony singing you get in the traditional clubs or the Christmas carol sings in Yorkshire.

I don't have a copy of it to post because I only heard it live, sung to Packie by a wonderful lady from Holland who lives in the area. (This was at a private party for his 88th, not the recent big bash.)

All the best (and happy birthday) -

Bonnie

Subject: RE: Birthday songs
From: JennyO
Date: 23 Jun 07 - 08:43 AM

Here are a few more verses from the Birthday Dirge. You sing the Happy Birthday (unh) chorus after every two lines:

BIRTHDAY DIRGE
(to the tune of the Volga Boatmen)

Happy Birthday! (UNH!)
Happy Birthday! (UNH!)

Death and gloom and dark despair
People dying everywhere

Happy Birthday! (UNH!)
Happy Birthday! (UNH!)

Birthdays come, but once a year
Marking time, as Death draws near

May the candles on your cake
Burn like cities in your wake

May your deeds with sheep and yaks
Equal those with sword and axe

Burn the Castle and storm the keep
Kill the Women but SAVE THE SHEEP!

We brought linen, white as cloud
Now we'll sit and sew your shroud!

Long ago your hair turned grey
Now it's falling out, they say

This one lesson you must learn
FIRST you pillage, THEN you burn!

Now you are the age you are
Your demise cannot be far

Death will come before the dawn
Now's the time to party on!


Happy Birthday! (UNH!)
Happy Birthday! (UNH!)

Subject: RE: Birthday songs
From: mack/misophist
Date: 23 Jun 07 - 10:18 AM

There's also a traditional Spanish version with it's own melody. If some has a link to a midi, I wouldn't mind at all. It's been over a decade since I heard it.

Subject: RE: Birthday songs
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Jun 07 - 05:47 AM

Here ia another childrens one:
Happy Birthday to you
You live in a zoo
You smell like a monkey
and you look like one to!!!

enjoy!!!!

Heres another adults one:
Why was she born so beautiful?
Why was she born at all?
Because she had no say in it
No say in it at all

---

Please note that anonymous posting is no longer allowed at Mudcat. Use a consistent name [in the 'from' box] when you post, or your messages risk being deleted.
Thanks.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Birthday songs
From: SharonA
Date: 25 Jun 07 - 07:28 AM

From this site

Traditional Spanish Happy Birthday Lyrics

Although the above song is gradually becoming the more accepted song for singing at birthdays in Spain, the Spanish do have a song of their own which has traditionally been sung at birthdays and is still very much in use to-day.

Here it is, followed by an English translation.

Feliz, feliz en tu día,
Amiguito(a) qué Dios te bendiga,
Y qué reine la paz en tu día,
Y qué cumplas muchos más.

Happy, happy on your day,
Friend, may God bless you,
May peace reign on your day,
And may you have/complete many more (birthdays, years).

Subject: RE: Birthday songs
From: pitheris
Date: 25 Jun 07 - 08:40 AM

Our friends of polish decent always sing this at birthdays:

Sto Lat

Sto lat, sto lat, niech zyje zyje nam.
Sto lat, sto lat, niech zyje zyje nam.
Jeszcze raz, jeszcze raz, niech zyje, zyje nam.
Niech zyje nam!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sto_lat
midi here

Phoneticly its something like this:

stow lot, stow lot nieg gee ah-gee ah-nahm, stow lot stow lot nieg gee ah-gee ah-nam, yeshtadahs, yeshtadahs, nieg gee ah-gee ah-nahm, nieeeeeg geeee enaaaahm!

Subject: RE: Birthday songs
From: EBarnacle
Date: 26 Jun 07 - 08:37 AM

To the tune of the Merry Widow Waltz:

Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday,
Just for you;
Happy Birthday and may all your dreams come true!

When you blow out the candles,
One light stays aglow--
It's the sunshine of your smile Where-eer you go.

Subject: RE: Birthday songs
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Mar 09 - 11:29 AM

My father used to sing:

Happy Birthday. Happy Birthday.
Children Crying.
People Dying,
but Happy Birthday.

Subject: RE: Birthday songs
From: Cool Beans
Date: 23 Mar 09 - 12:12 PM

Tom Glazer used to sing:

Hurray, hurray, hurray, hurray
Hurray, today's your birthday!
Hurray, hurray, hurray, hurray
Hurray, today's your birthday!
It's not the beaver's or the bear's
Not the pickle's or the pear's
It's not next week or yesterday
Hurray, today's your birthday!

Subject: Lyr Add: LET'S THROW A PARTY FOR OURSELVES
From: Eve Goldberg
Date: 30 Mar 09 - 10:39 AM

I wrote a birthday song for my friend Susan, sort of a bluesy, swingy, torchy tune:

LET'S THROW A PARTY FOR OURSELVES
Words and Music by Eve Goldberg

Every year or so, no matter where you go
You know that day will arrive
That very special morn, the day that you were born
Ain't it good to be alive

CHORUS:
Sing and shout, blow the candle out
Let's throw a party for ourselves

You can fuss and you can fret, you can try to forget
You can let it get into your head
But it's really not so bad, in fact you should be glad
If you weren't getting older, you'd be dead

(Chorus)

So I hope you have some fun on this trip around the sun
And whatever may be your fate
Your friends will stick by you with a love so deep and true
And that's a thing to celebrate

(Chorus)

Subject: Lyr Add: HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY (Arrogant Worms)
From: Marion
Date: 30 Mar 09 - 12:18 PM

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY

(by the Arrogant Worms, a Canadian musical comedy band)

Once a year we celebrate
With paper hats and plastic plates
The fact that you were able to make
Another trip around the sun.
So all your friends will gather round
And gifts and laughter do abound
And we let out a joyful sound
And sing that stupid song.

Happy birthday! Today you're one year older
Happy birthday! Your life still isn't over
Happy birthday! You did not accomplish much
But you didn't die this year, I guess that's good enough.

So let's drink to your fading health
And hope you don't remind yourself
Your chance for love and fame and wealth
Decrease with every year.
You feel like you're just doing laps
And eating food and taking naps
And hoping that someday perhaps
Your life will hold some cheer.

Happy birthday! What have you done that matters?
Happy birthday! You're starting to get fatter
Happy birthday! It's downhill from now on
Try not to remind yourself your best years are all gone.

If cryogenics were all free
Then you could be like Walt Disney
And live for all eternity
Inside a block of ice.
But instead your time is set
This is the only life you get
And though it hasn't ended yet
Sometimes you wish it might.

Happy birthday! You wish you had more money
Happy birthday! Your life's so sad it's funny
Happy birthday! How much more can you take?
But your friends are hungry so just cut the stupid cake.

Subject: RE: Birthday songs
From: Richard Mellish
Date: 30 Mar 09 - 05:36 PM

I loath, despise and detest the usual "Happy birthday to you". Hearing it only once in one's life would be boring enough, because it drags a few words out into a whole stanza by excessive repetition, over a turgid tune. But one hears it very often, which makes it even more boring. For my own 60th birthday party I gave notice that I would leave instantly if that song were sung. My friends respected my wish.

They have a MUCH better song in Sweden (which I'm afraid I can't quote). It ends with wishing that the person will live for a hundred years. Though I suppose that might be a problem if someone is already celebrating their 100th or later birthday ...

Richard

Subject: ADD: Happy Crappy Birthday
From: Joe Offer
Date: 17 Aug 09 - 01:53 AM

I heard "Happy Crappy Birthday," sung to me and Alan MacColl at song circle today (Sunday) to celebrate our August birthdays on dates that will not be revealed. I went looking for the song when I got home, and found Amos had posted a link to a YouTube video in an Art Thieme birthday thread in July. The singer in the link from Amos is Sharon Carl, who sang the song for Alan and me today.
So, happy belated birthday, Art - and to me and Alan, too.
-Joe Offer-

Birthday Song
Sung to Scotland the Brave
(author unknown)

When you were two or three
Your mommy would always see
That you had a party on your birthday
But now you're older and more mature
At least we are pretty sure
And shouldn't be treated like a baby.
'Cuz no one gives a shit about your birthday any more,
No! It's not important.
And if you want the truth it's merely a good excuse
For your friends to all get drunk together.

Now I'm sure that you'll agree,
Your brain starts to atrophy,
Each time that you celebrate your birthday.
Unfortunately I must remind you,
The best part of life's behind you.
Soon they will throw your final party.
Your teeth will rot, your hair fall out,
And sex will merely refer to gender only.
So raise a glass with me, a toast to senility,
We wish you a Happy Crappy Birthday!


Happy birthday, Art.
-Joe-

Subject: RE: Birthday songs
From: GUEST,Sharon Carl
Date: 25 May 10 - 10:47 AM

Joe, you must mean Allan MacLeod.

I have searched for the author of this song, with no luck. If anyone knows who wrote it, please tell me!!

Subject: RE: Birthday songs
From: Joe Offer
Date: 25 May 10 - 06:59 PM

Well, Allan MacLeod knew MacColl and sings a lot of songs MacColl wrote....

Hey, if you knew how old I am (and you do), why are you surprised that my brain is fuzzy???

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Birthday songs
From: Fl!p Breskin
Date: 30 Aug 11 - 10:16 PM

In Bellingham (WA, USA) we sing the round:

We wish you a very merry birthday
A joyous and celebrated birthday
Our friend _______
We wish you a long long life!

Also, the Harry Chapin words to the Merry Widow Waltz come out like this:

Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday. We love you.
Happy Birthday and may all your dreams come true.
When you blow out the candles one light stays aglow
That's the love light in your eyes where 'ere you go.

Also (not so mean):

Why was he (or she) born so beautiful
Why was she born at all?
She's born for the joy of everyone
She's born for the love of us all
(continue to almost the tune of My Bonnie Lies Over The ocean)
She ought to be publicly cuddled
She ought to be publicly praised
She ought to be fed upon chocolate
And given time off and a raise!

And of course we sing the birthday dirge. In our family, we sang it this past spring for my 92 year old father, who conducted us all, and grinned when the folks in their retirement home looked horrified.

Subject: RE: Birthday songs
From: Artful Codger
Date: 31 Aug 11 - 05:55 AM

Here's a list of birthday songs from around the world:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_birthday_songs

Plug these titles into YouTube or your favorite search engine and you're sure to find clips and lyrics.

Subject: Lyr Add: FIVE YEARS OLD (Loudon Wainwright III)
From: PHJim
Date: 31 Aug 11 - 02:26 PM

Here's one from Loudon Wainwright III:

Five Years Old

CHORUS:
Happy birthday Martha, happy birthday, birthday girl
I'm sorry I can't be there for that party, birthday girl
But pin the tail upon the donkey in that party dress
Balloons, and cake, 2 kinds of ice cream
I guess you'll be a mess

Five years old, Five years old
Five years old, Five years old

Be nice to all your pals, and cousins
Remember they're your guests
Share the fun with your big brother
As friends go, he's your best
I know that they'll sing happy birthday
When those lights go out
Make a wish it just might come true
Blow those candles out

Five years old, Five years old
Five years old, Five years old

I Hope yo get the gifts you wanted
On your special day
The pet store was all out of ponies
Maybe next birthday
I know you can not play with flowers
They're nice to smell and see
But if you got some roses on your birthday
They're from me
I won't forget the day that you were born
Five years ago
We were happy and excited and we loved you so
You're growing up so quickly
Now, I feel a little sad, after all I am your daddy

Five years old, Five years old
Five years old, Five years old

(Chorus)

Subject: RE: Birthday songs
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 31 Aug 11 - 10:53 PM

Good to see you here, Flip, and glad to see the B'ham contingent represented.

SRS (Maggie Dwyer)

Subject: RE: Birthday songs
From: Artful Codger
Date: 01 Sep 11 - 09:33 PM

To the tune of "We Wish You a Merry Christmas"

We wish you a happy birthday, (3x)
And years full of joy.

Best wishes to you from friends dear and true,
Best wishes for your birthday, happy birthday to you.

We've all gathered here with presents and cheer
To wish you good fortune in this coming year.
        or
We've all gathered here to rattle your cage;
We'll scarf down your cake and make fun of your age.

We wish you a happy birthday, (3x)
Now dammit, cut the ca-a-ake!

Subject: RE: Birthday songs
From: GUEST
Date: 26 Jan 13 - 11:08 AM

i am looking for a recording of the birthday song about the pickles and pears. can you help me out?

Subject: Lyr Add: FILL 'EM UP (from Hetty King)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 10 Mar 14 - 08:04 PM

Here's a song from the music-hall era, sung by a woman who was a famous male impersonator of her day. There's an article about her here (in addition to Wikipedia).

You can hear this song at YouTube.

You can see the sheet-music cover (only) here.


FILL 'EM UP
Words by Thomas McGhee, Herbert Rule & James Walsh; music by L Silberman ©1920.
As sung by Hetty King

1. A birthday comes but once a year; it's a good thing it doesn't come twice.
Yesterday was my birthday.
Oh, what a day was yesterday!
All my pals were there, each one gay and bright,
But all that I remember, I kept saying all the night:

CHORUS: Fill 'em up! Fill 'em up! Fill 'em up! It is my birthday.
Fill 'em up! Fill 'em up! Fill 'em up! It is my birthday.
Let us all remain.
There's plenty of old champagne.
Fill 'em up and put 'em down, and fill 'em up again!
Don't stop! Don't stop!
I love to hear the corks go pop! Pop! Pop!
The sound it makes us all feel gay.
One never knows—does one?—
What may happen to a mother's son
Before his next birthday.

2. Ev'rything comes to an end, and a jolly good thing it does.
Oh! Ah! How champagne makes you feel!
It might have been sham but the pain was real.
Nine o'clock this morn, one chap said, "I'm fine.
Yesterday was your birthday, but today is mine." CHORUS TWICE.

Subject: RE: Birthday songs
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Mar 14 - 10:10 PM

Bonnie, the Dutch one goes

Lang tijd verleve, Lang tijd verleve,
Lang tijd verleve in de eewigkeit
In de eewigkeit, in de eewigkeit
Hourah (or Proficiaat)....

The French version, to the tune of HBTY:
Joyeux anniversaire
Joyeux anniversaire
Joyeux anniversaire (and here the squeeze the name of the birthday person in - and guess what the last line is? No, really...)
Joyeaux anniversaire!

Much like
There was a young man from Japan
Whose Limerics never would scan
When asked why it woz
He said, "It's becoz
I like to get as many words into the last line as ever I possibly can.."

Subject: RE: Birthday songs
From: Joe Offer
Date: 30 Jan 19 - 08:00 PM

I was looking for a video of the Waldorf "We Wish You a Happy Birthday" round, but came up with this instead:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jIiD0yWW-Q

I know it as "one bottle of pop" / "don't chuck your muck in my dustbin" / "Fish and chips and vinegar"

but this one is:

One birthday, two birthday, three birthday, four birthday,
Five birthday, six birthday, many many many more.

But I've listened to this over and over, and I can't pick out the second and third parts. Can anybody pick it out and give us the lyrics?

-Joe-

Subject: our add: One Birthday, Two ... - Su Smith - 2013
From: FreddyHeadey
Date: 06 Feb 19 - 08:39 PM

One birthday, two birthday, three birthday, four birthday,
five birthday, six birthday, many many many more.

We heard that it’s your birthday, your birthday, your birthday.
Oh, we heard that it’s your birthday so blessings to you!

Happy happy birthday! Sing this way! Join the fray!
Happy happy birthday! And we sing this song for you!