# What do various countries/languages sing at birthdays? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 7, 2007, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-various-countries-languages-sing-at-birthdays/407143 "2007-06-07T16:43:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![joazito](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7feea3/32.png) [@joazito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joazito)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2007, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-various-countries-languages-sing-at-birthdays/407143/41 "2007-06-09T00:24:21Z")
[QUOTE=Shecky] Obligatory Portuguese: Parabéns a você, Happy Birthday to you Nesta data querida. On the date dear Muitas felicidades, Much happiness Muitos anos de vida. Many years of life. There’s a second verse some do: Hoje é dia de festa, Cantam as nossas almas. Para o/a menino/a \_\_\_\_\_, Uma salva de palmas. Then, there’s a little chant afterwards that I can’t figure out the words to. [/QUOTE] That would be the solo part with the birthday boy/girl’s response: Obrigado meus amigos, Do fundo do coração Por me terem cantado Esta linda canção. (_Thank you my friends, From the bottom of my heart For having sang this beautiful song_) Actually that’s pretty neat, hm? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Hypnagogic\_Jerk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hypnagogic_jerk/32/4252_2.png) [@Hypnagogic\_Jerk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypnagogic_Jerk)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2007, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-various-countries-languages-sing-at-birthdays/407143/42 "2007-06-09T00:52:15Z")
[QUOTE=WhyNot] **severus** , mentioned at the bottom of that link is the one my French teacher taught us. (“Bon anniversaire-Nos voeux les plus sincères…”) I still don’t remember the rest of the words - we mostly mumbled our way through them anyway! That one’s not actually used, huh? [/QUOTE] I didn’t know the words either ( **Arnold Winkelried** posted them), so it’s not commonly sung here. But I guess there must be places where this song is more popular. ---
**Author:** ![Dunderman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecb155/32.png) [@Dunderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dunderman)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2007, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-various-countries-languages-sing-at-birthdays/407143/43 "2007-06-09T01:12:58Z")
In addition to the ones **Bagistan** listed, the following Swedish birthday song has been growing in popularity the last few years: Vad är det för en dag? Är det en vanlig dag? Nej det är ingen vanlig dag för det är \s födelsedag! Hurra hurra hurra! Translation: What kind of day is it? Is it a normal day? No, it’s not a normal day, for it is \'s birthday! Hooray hooray hooray! ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2007, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-various-countries-languages-sing-at-birthdays/407143/44 "2007-06-09T01:30:35Z")
[Birthday songs](http://www.birthdaycelebrations.net/songs.htm) in English, French, German, Korean, Spanish, Hebrew, Arabic, Portuguese, and Italian. Latter-day Saints English birthday songs (from the Children’s Songbook) are: [ul][li][Feliz Cumpleaños](http://www.lds.org/churchmusic/detailmusicPlayer/index.html?searchlanguage=1&searchcollection=2&searchseqstart=282&searchsubseqstart=%20&searchseqend=282&searchsubseqend=ZZZ) in Spanish[/li][li][Happy, Happy Birthday](http://www.lds.org/churchmusic/detailmusicPlayer/index.html?searchlanguage=1&searchcollection=2&searchseqstart=284&searchsubseqstart=a&searchseqend=284&searchsubseqend=a) in English[/li][li][Have a Very Happy Birthday!](http://www.lds.org/churchmusic/detailmusicPlayer/index.html?searchlanguage=1&searchcollection=2&searchseqstart=284&searchsubseqstart=b&searchseqend=284&searchsubseqend=b) in English[/li][li][Here We Are Together](http://www.lds.org/churchmusic/detailmusicPlayer/index.html?searchlanguage=1&searchcollection=2&searchseqstart=261&searchsubseqstart=%20&searchseqend=261&searchsubseqend=ZZZ) in English[/li][li][I Like My Birthdays](http://www.lds.org/churchmusic/detailmusicPlayer/index.html?searchlanguage=1&searchcollection=2&searchseqstart=104&searchsubseqstart=%20&searchseqend=104&searchsubseqend=ZZZ) in English[/li][li][You’ve Had a Birthday](http://www.lds.org/churchmusic/detailmusicPlayer/index.html?searchlanguage=1&searchcollection=2&searchseqstart=285&searchsubseqstart=%20&searchseqend=285&searchsubseqend=ZZZ) in English[/li][li][Your Happy Birthday](http://www.lds.org/churchmusic/detailmusicPlayer/index.html?searchlanguage=1&searchcollection=2&searchseqstart=283&searchsubseqstart=%20&searchseqend=283&searchsubseqend=ZZZ) in English[/ul][/li] [Here](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=401156&highlight=happy) is a thread regarding the passing of the composer of _Happy, Happy Birthday_. ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Girl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7bcc69/32.png) [@Mighty\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Girl)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2007, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-various-countries-languages-sing-at-birthdays/407143/45 "2007-06-09T03:54:52Z")
So, I was supposed to translate it. :smack: [QUOTE=Mighty\_Girl] \* Celebro tu cumpleaños Tan pronto vi asomar el sol Y en este día glorioso Pido tu dicha al señor Porque lo he considerado Como el regalo mejor Toma mi abrazo tu amigo soy Y mucha felicidad! Toma mi abrazo que yo te doy Y mucha felicidad!\* [/QUOTE] I celebrate your birthday As soon as the sun peeked out And in this glorious day I ask the Lord for your happiness Because I think it is The best gift Take this hug, I am your friend Lots of happiness Take this hug I offer you And lots of happiness Yeah, it doesn’t make much sense translated like that. ---
**Author:** ![panamajack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/47e85d/32.png) [@panamajack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panamajack)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2007, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-various-countries-languages-sing-at-birthdays/407143/46 "2007-06-09T05:26:53Z")
Another traditional German one is “Hoch soll er/sie leben”, which is a bit like “For he’s a jolly good fellow” in spirit: (er = he, sie = she) Hoch soll sie leben Hoch soll sie leben Drei mal hoch! Sie lebe hoch (sie lebe hoch) Sie lebe hoch (sie lebe hoch) Sie lebe drei mal hoch! Long may she live Long may she live Three times long! May she live long (may she live long) May she live long (may she live long) May she live three times long! (the third line isn’t a perfect translation; it’s more like “Three cheers for a long life” than it is “live three times as long”) ---
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2007, 6:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-various-countries-languages-sing-at-birthdays/407143/47 "2007-06-09T06:38:31Z")
Medieval: _May the candles on your cake Burn like cities in your wake_ ---
**Author:** ![Rigamarole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/77aa72/32.png) [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2007, 8:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-various-countries-languages-sing-at-birthdays/407143/48 "2007-06-09T08:20:17Z")
[QUOTE=Kimstu] Listen to the “Er is er een jarig” and “Lang zal die leven” songs one right after the other, as that’s the way the Dutch usually sing them. Hieperdepiep-hoera! 🙂 [/QUOTE] That second one sounds like “Oh My Darling Clementine”. ---
**Author:** ![Sublight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@Sublight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sublight)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2007, 9:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-various-countries-languages-sing-at-birthdays/407143/49 "2007-06-09T09:41:52Z")
[QUOTE=Cerowyn] In a vain attempt to get back to the OP, in Japan they usually just sing “Happy Birzday.” [/QUOTE] Usually while drunkenly watching the screen at a karaoke bar. Happy Baasday Tsu You Happy Baasday Tsu You Happy Baas…day… uh? Whuzzat say? …Happy Baasday Tsu You ---
**Author:** ![StuffLikeThatThere](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bc8723/32.png) [@StuffLikeThatThere](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StuffLikeThatThere)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2007, 11:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-various-countries-languages-sing-at-birthdays/407143/50 "2007-06-09T11:16:56Z")
My brother, who is a naturalized Canadian, sings: > [@](#): > > Enjoy yourself. It’s later than you think! > Enjoy yourself. While you’re still in the pink! > The years go by, As quickly as a wink. > Enjoy yourself. Enjoy yourself. It’s later than you think. Which I personally love. But I think that’s a free-spirited-I-know-a-bunch-of-obscure-songs-because-I-am-a-musician thing, and not a Canadian thing. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2007, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-various-countries-languages-sing-at-birthdays/407143/51 "2007-06-09T18:56:43Z")
> [@Johanna](#): > > Medieval: > > May the candles on your cake > Burn like cities in your wake :eek: 😕 Git outta here. No, seriously, cite? Who had medieval birthday cakes? With candles yet? I stand ready to be enlightened and gobsmacked. ---
**Author:** ![Klytus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Klytus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Klytus)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2007, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-various-countries-languages-sing-at-birthdays/407143/52 "2007-06-09T19:23:16Z")
[QUOTE=Kimstu] :eek: 😕 Git outta here. No, seriously, cite? Who had medieval birthday cakes? With candles yet? I stand ready to be enlightened and gobsmacked. [/QUOTE] This is actually an excerpt from the Viking Birthday Dirge… popular at Ren Faire’s and SCA events all over the U.S. THE BIRTHDAY DIRGE ``` It's your Birthday! (thud!) Happy Birthday! (thud!) Doom and gloom and dark despair People dying everywhere! On your Birthday! (thud!) Happy Birthday! (thud!) It's your Birthday! (thud!) Happy Birthday! (thud!) May the candles on your cake Burn like cities in your wake. On your Birthday! (thud!) Happy Birthday! (thud!) It's your Birthday! (thud!) Happy Birthday! (thud!) Your servants steal, your wife's untrue Your children plot to murder you On your Birthday! (thud!) Happy Birthday! (thud!) It's your Birthday! (thud!) Happy Birthday! (thud!) Burn the castle and storm the keep Kill the women, but save the sheep For your Birthday! (thud!) Happy Birthday! (thud!) It's your Birthday! (thud!) Happy Birthday! (thud!) Birthdays come but once a year Marking time as Death draws near On your Birthday! (thud!) Happy Birthday! (thud!) It's your Birthday! (thud!) Happy Birthday! (thud!) Now you've aged another year Now you know that Death is near On your Birthday! (thud!) Happy Birthday! (thud!) It's your Birthday! (thud!) Happy Birthday! (thud!) Now that you're the age you are Your demise cannot be far On your Birthday! (thud!) Happy Birthday! (thud!) It's your Birthday! (thud!) Happy Birthday! (thud!) Black Death has just struck your town You yourself feel quite run-down On your Birthday! (thud!) Happy Birthday! (thud!) It's your Birthday! (thud!) Happy Birthday! (thud!) Burn, then rape by firelight Add _romance_ to life tonight On your Birthday! (thud!) Happy Birthday! (thud!) It's your Birthday! (thud!) Happy Birthday! (thud!) Indigestion's what you get From the enemies you 'et On your Birthday! (thud!) Happy Birthday! (thud!) It's your Birthday! (thud!) Happy Birthday! (thud!) We love children, yes we do Baked or broiled or in a stew On your Birthday! (thud!) Happy Birthday! (thud!) It's your Birthday! (thud!) Happy Birthday! (thud!) May your deeds with sword and axe Equal those with sheep and yaks On your Birthday! (thud!) Happy Birthday! (thud!) It's your Birthday! (thud!) Happy Birthday! (thud!) This one lesson you must learn First you pillage, then you burn On your Birthday! (thud!) Happy Birthday! (thud!) It's your Birthday! (thud!) Happy Birthday! (thud!) While you eat your birthday stew We will loot the town for you, On your Birthday! (thud!) Happy Birthday! (thud!) It's your Birthday! (thud!) Happy Birthday! (thud!) We brought linen, white as cloud The women sit and sew your shroud On your Birthday! (thud!) Happy Birthday! (thud!) It's your Birthday! (thud!) Happy Birthday! (thud!) Just be glad the friends you've got Haven't found out you-know-what On your Birthday! (thud!) Happy Birthday! (thud!) It's your Birthday! (thud!) Happy Birthday! (thud!) I'm a leper, can't you see Have a birthday kiss from me On your Birthday! (thud!) Happy Birthday! (thud!) It's your Birthday! (thud!) Happy Birthday! (thud!) It's your birthday never fear You'll be dead this time next year On your Birthday! (thud!) Happy Birthday! (thud!) It's your Birthday! (thud!) Happy Birthday! (thud!) So far Death you have bypassed Don't look back, he's gaining fast On your Birthday! (thud!) Happy Birthday! (thud!) It's your Birthday! (thud!) Happy Birthday! (thud!) You must marry very soon Baby's due by next full moon On your Birthday! (thud!) Happy Birthday! (thud!) It's your Birthday! (thud!) Happy Birthday! (thud!) When you've reached this age you know That the mind is first to go On your Birthday! (thud!) Happy Birthday! (thud!) ``` Link to the website: > **[Punkie's Web Page - Lyrics for Viking/Barbarian Birthday Dirge](http://punkwalrus.net/cybertusk/viking_birthday_dirge.html)** > > Punkie goes to ---
**Author:** ![phil417](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/6bbea6/32.png) [@phil417](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phil417)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2007, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-various-countries-languages-sing-at-birthdays/407143/53 "2007-06-09T19:45:51Z")
Klytus, that Birthday Dirge is wonderful – sounds like Terry Pratchett. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2007, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-various-countries-languages-sing-at-birthdays/407143/54 "2007-06-10T14:12:37Z")
In Chinese, they have the same song. It goes: Zhu ni sheng ri kuai le Zhu ni sheng ri kuai le Zhu ni sheng ri sheng ri kuai le Zhu ni sheng ri kuai le You have no idea how irritating that song can be until you eat at a Chinese McDonald’s and hear it played on a cycle repeatedly. For some reason, the Chinese record children’s singing with this super annoying, unnatural sound. It makes me cringe just to think of it. By the way, it translates pretty much to the same meaning. I hate this song! ---
**Author:** ![joazito](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7feea3/32.png) [@joazito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joazito)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2007, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-various-countries-languages-sing-at-birthdays/407143/55 "2007-06-11T14:48:42Z")
Nothing to add, it’s just that it’s my birthday :). ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2007, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-various-countries-languages-sing-at-birthdays/407143/56 "2007-06-11T14:57:17Z")
[QUOTE=joazito] Nothing to add, it’s just that it’s my birthday :). [/QUOTE] I’m sorry, now I have no idea what to sing! 😃 Happy birthday, anyway! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-various-countries-languages-sing-at-birthdays/407143.md?page=2)