Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, ….
Everyone knows this popular song that is sung to celebrate a person’s birthday. But did you know that this song was written by sisters Patti Hill and Mildred J. Hill in 1893? Patti was a kindergarten teacher in Kentucky and she and her sister Mildred, a pianist and composer, composed the song, “Good Morning to All” which she sang to her class every morning.
Apparently the sisters enjoyed their song so much they started to sing it at birthday parties and would change the words to “Happy Birthday to you” plus added a couple extra notes to the melody so the melody would fit the words of the song.
Since the sisters never had the song copyrighted — it was finally copyrighted in 1935 by the Summy Company which had the publishing rights to the song book that the sisters wrote which included this popular song. The copyright for “Happy Birthday” will expire in the year 2030. Consequently royalties have to be paid if the song is song in any public event, movie, film or on the radio. The royalties can be upwards of $5000 per day to use this song in a public establishment. Ouch!! that would sure hurt to have to pay that.
At the Manor On Golden Pond we won’t be singing Happy Birthday but we surely will treat our birthday guest with subtle but elegant treats and surprises. The surprises are just that and we don’t want to ruin the surprise by telling you. So you will have to come and experience a Manor birthday to find out. Just expect to be treated royalty as any birthday boy or girl should be treated.
What about not telling them where they are going and make the whole stay a surprise for the guest. We are good at keeping secrets. Once you drive up the driveway the smile on their face will make your day.
The cake is in the oven so let us know when you are coming!!!
