Happy Birthday My Friend

Edit 05/07/07: I'm still working on this song. Among other things, I wrote the notes down wrong, and I wrote down some wrong notes. Onward I go...


Anyone is welcome to tweak this song (especially if you're comfortable writing music notation, which I'm definitely not). I'm not sure the song needs all those quarter notes.

Some time ago, I promised you a new Happy Birthday song. Unlike the traditional one that is in the chokehold of You-Know-Who (Voldemort?) as far as copyright goes, this little song is my gift to the world. If you like it, sing it. Don't worry about performance rights, as they are completely, totally free in a non-profit context. If you're a small business, you can use the song without paying me, though I would be happy with a nod in the direction of attribution. If you're a big business and you use the song in a peformance, you need to give sizable donations to Heifer International and something local in your area that specializes in services for disadvantaged children. If you want to record the song, you need to pay me royalties, and I'll give the money to Heifer International (and something local in my area that specializes in services for disadvantaged children). I've already conducted the imaginary interview in my head for when I'm relatively successful because of this one song:

***
Announcer: Welcome to this week's edition of "Three Seconds of Fame!" Today, we speak briefly with Farida Dowler, a.k.a. Alkelda the Gleeful, the darling of children's birthday parties everywhere. What, you've never heard of Alkelda the Gleeful? Maybe not, but you sing her song all the time.

[Zoom to interviewer and subject]

Q: Mrs. The Gleeful, are you ever bothered that your one hit song, "Happy Birthday My Friend," was one in which you could have made millions in royalties? You could have been rich beyond imagining, and yet you gave away all of your profits to charity.

A: Pshaw.

Q: But really-- other compositions like "Superhero Teaparty" and "Song of the Planet-Hoppers" found a small, loyal following but never quite launched you into the big time the way "Happy Birthday My Friend" did. Do you ever worry that you're a one-hit wonder?

A: I'm too busy singing and telling stories to worry about such foolish notions [smiles winningly for the camera].

Q: What is your response to the rumors that They-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named are furious with you because people no longer sing the traditional birthday song, and therefore no longer have to pay a disgustingly large amount of royalties?

A: After they get over their fury, I hope they become chagrined. I mean, really.

Q: Well, that's all we have time for, Mrs. The Gleeful. Thank you so much for talking with us, and we look forward to hearing about you and the band on future birthday party cross-country tours.

A: Rawk and roll. Oh, I can't believe I just said that.