9/30/2021
Episode #114 “Birthday Folklore”
Today, I’ll be talking about birthday folklore! Welcome to the party. This episode will get started with some weird birthday myths and superstitions, and I’ll be talking about the origins of one of the worlds most known songs, “Happy Birthday”. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, Happy Birthday is the most frequently sung song in the English language. The world’s most popular songs was written by Louisville sisters Patty and Mildred Hill in the 1890s. The pair were two school teachers who wrote a song called “Good Morning To All”. but the lyrics were eventually changed to “Happy Birthday”. I’ll dive into the story of how these women lost the copywrite to the original song. So kick back and relax with me for a full hour or birthday celebrations and more!
Today’s Playlist
Birthday – The Beatles
It’s My Party – Lesley Gore
Happy Birthday (Merry Christmas and Happy New Year) – Loretta Lynn
Happy Birthday – Stevie Wonder
Sitting On The Dock Of The Bay – Otis Redding
Lazy Day – Carter Sisters
Relaxation – John R. Miller
Ernest Tubb – Waltz Across Texas
Sweet Dreams (Of You) – Patsy Cline
Wasting Time – Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats
Well I Guess I Told You Off – Mother Maybelle & The Carter Sisters
Take This Job And Shove It – Johnny Paycheck
Working Girl Blues – Hazel Dickens and Alice Gerrard
Put It Off Until Tomorrow – Dolly Parton
Roger Miller – Whistle Stop
Intro and theme music Omie Wise (feat. Kalia Yeagle) by Hasee Ciaccio
Background instrumental music by Brittany Haas, Produced by Darol Anger. All traditional old-time tunes. 2004.
Resources and Additional Materials
5 Weird Historical Myths About Birthdays
10 Wacky Birthday Superstitions
How Did The Tradition of Birthdays Begin?
Who really wrote the ‘Happy Birthday’ song?