Good Morning To You,
Good Morning To You,
Good Morning, dear children,
Good Morning To All!
Did you know that “Happy Birthday to You” was originally titled “Good Morning to You?” It’s one of the best known songs in history, but its origins are relatively recent. In fact, “Happy Birthday” only entered the public domain, meaning it was free to use and perform, in 2016.
“Good Morning to You” was originally composed in 1893 by sisters Patty and Mildred Hill. Patty was a kindergarten principle at the Little Loomhouse school in Louisville, Kentucky, and Mildred was a pianist and composer. They wrote the above lyrics and the tune together for use in the schoolhouse, and later published the song in the collection Song Stories for Kindergarten.
The tune proved popular, and was published in 1911 with the common lyrics we all know today, which are derived from the poem “Roy’s Birthday” by Edith Goodyear Alger. The Summy Company claimed copyright on “Happy Birthday to You” in 1935, and was later purchased by Warner/Chappell music in 1988. Warner/Chappell music began to enforce the copyright at that point, requiring a $700 royalty fee for each public performance or recording, which made “Happy Birthday to You” one of the highest earning songs in history by in licensing alone! After a lengthy lawsuit started in 2013, the song was deemed public domain, and is now free to perform anywhere with the common lyrics intact.
Would you like to learn how to play “Happy Birthday to You?” All it takes is a few music lessons from Thompson Tutoring! Contact us today for information about in-person or virtual lessons.