We often hear at many private parties one famous song-Happy Birthday to You.... Did anyone of us think as to who gave lyrics to this song and music? In fact, this song was even copy-righted. Incredible but true! The tune was first published in Song Stories for Kindergarten by Patty and Mildred (sisters). These two sisters copied the tune of one of their teachers who used to say Good Morning to you all...to her students in a sweet rhythm. After they replaced the lyrics with same tunes, they published the tune in Song Stories book but was not copy-righted.

Happy birthday sisters even started singing this song spontaneously at many birthday parties that it eventually became fast catching up among the public. The song was soon published in 1918 in a book named Children's Praise and Worship. Happy Birthday song was further published in some other journals but was again never copy-righted. But in 1935, Summy Company owner Preston Ware Orem got the song copy-righted as work for hire.

Since the copy-rights on this song will be active till 1916, anyone using the same at public gatherings, films, television etc, needs to pay royalties (money) to Summy Company. Walt Disney used this song a couple of decades ago, and it paid $5000. It's due to this copy-right issue and huge amount that they need to pay, many film makers don't show Happy Birthday songs in their films.

(AW Phani)