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  • Joyeux Anniversaire – Happy Birthday in France

Joyeux anniversaire (also known as Joyeuse Fête in Canada) is a translation of the original American song, "Happy birthday to you", dating from the late 19th century. Let's focus on the origins of the song before we learn more about the birthday traditions in France.

The story of Joyeux anniversaire

This short song dates from the late 19th century. The sisters Patty and Mildred J. Hill introduced the song "Good Morning to All" to Patty's kindergarten class in Kentucky. They published the tune in their 1893 songbook, Song Stories for the Kindergarten, with Chicago publisher Clayton F. Summy.

But there are differing opinions about the song's origin.

Birthday Greetings (Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons)

Birthday Greetings (Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons)

Two different opinions on the song's origins

Kembrew McLeod claimed that the Hill sisters probably copied the tune and lyrical idea from other popular and similar 19th century songs, including Horace Waters' "Happy Greetings to All", "Good Night to You All" also from 1858, "A Happy New Year to All" from 1875, and "A Happy Greeting to All", published in 1885.

American law professor Robert Brauneis disagrees, pointing out that these earlier songs had quite different melodies.

The first appearances of Happy Birthday to You

The full text of "Happy Birthday to You" first appeared in print as the last four lines of Edith Goodyear Alger's poem "Roy's Birthday", published in A Primer of Work and Play.

The first book to include lyrics to "Happy Birthday" to the tune of "Good Morning to All" was in 1911. However, there are earlier references to a song called "Happy Birthday to You", including a 1901 article in the Inland Educator and the Indiana School Journal.

In 1924, Robert Coleman included "Good Morning to All" in a songbook with the birthday lyrics as the second verse. Coleman also published "Happy Birthday" in The American Hymnal in 1933.

A song in the public domain since 2017

The music and lyrics are in the public domain in the European Union and the United States. The copyright expired in the European Union on 1 January 2017.

The song: Joyeux anniversaire!

Lyrics, music, free download... let's learn more about the popular song:

Joyeux Anniversaire

The lyrics in French

The original song of Joyeux anniversaire has 1 verse.

Couplet

Joyeux anniversaire

Joyeux anniversaire

Joyeux anniversaire (+ prénom)

Joyeux anniversaire

Translation of the lyrics into English

Here is the translation of Joyeux anniversaire into English:

Verse

Happy birthday

Happy birthday

Happy birthday (+ first name)

Happy birthday

Download the Lyrics for FREE!

No need to type name or email 😀

Joyeux anniversaire © French Moments

The Birthday traditions in France

The French word "anniversaire" is derived from the Latin annus "year", and versus, "which turns". It, therefore, refers to the annual return of a day marked by an event, particularly the birth of an individual.

A distinction is made between :

Birthdays in the Ancient Times

Birthdays were not always celebrated, and when they were, it was usually a famous person's birthday. In ancient times, the first birthdays celebrated were those of the gods. The Egyptians or Persians knew the date of their birth.

The Old Testament mentions the birthday of the Pharaoh of Egypt in the story of Joseph (Genesis 40:20).

"Now the third day was Pharaoh’s birthday, and he gave a feast for all his officials. He lifted up the heads of the chief cupbearer and the chief baker in the presence of his officials [...]" (NIV)

Joseph Explaining the Dream to Pharaoh, Jean Adrien Guignet

Joseph Explaining the Dream to Pharaoh, Jean Adrien Guignet

In the 5th century BC, according to the historian Herodotus, the Persians marked the day with a larger-than-usual meal.

Birthdays among the Greeks

For the Greeks, the anniversary of death was celebrated with offerings on the graves. On the other hand, the day of the birth of a warrior, considered a demigod, was observed after his death.

The Greeks believed that a protective spirit was dedicated to each human. This spirit was present at his birth and watched over him during his life. This spirit had a mystical relationship with the god whose birthday corresponded to the day of the individual's birth. The name of this spirit, 'daimôn', gave rise to the word 'demon'.

Notre-Dame de Paris © French Moments

A chimera at Notre-Dame de Paris overlooking the city © French Moments

Birthdays among the Romans

The Romans also subscribed to this idea and celebrated the birthday of the "birth day" by thanking the daimôn who had watched over them since their birth.

The day of birth was celebrated regularly, the natalice (from the Latin natalicia, birth anniversary meal) as a 'private and public religious rite'. It was reserved in particular for emperors, whose birthdays gave rise to sacrifices.

This belief in the daimôn has found its way into the notions of guardian angels, fairy godmothers and patron saints.

A guardian angel (German card circa 1900)

Depiction of a guardian angel (German card circa 1900)

In the New Testament

In the New Testament, a birthday feast is mentioned in Mark 6:21 when the daughter of Herodias gets the head of John the Baptist:

"Finally the opportune time came. On his birthday Herod gave a banquet for his high officials and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee." (NIV)

Salome with the head of St John the Baptist (1607), by Caravaggio

Salome with the head of St John the Baptist (1607), by Caravaggio

No birthdays in the Middle Ages

With the advent of Christianity, this tradition was considered pagan: a Christian began to live on the day of his death when he entered the kingdom of God. For this reason, Catholics celebrated their patron saint.

At the beginning of the 13th century, Marco Polo, in the Devisement of the World, describes the festivities on the birthday of the Chinese emperor Kubilai Khan.

Birthdays in medieval France

The celebration of birthdays was rare during the Middle Ages, and the date of birth was rarely known. This explains why historians do not know the exact date of birth of personalities (Clovis I, Charlemagne, Eleanor of Aquitaine, François Rabelais).

Moreover, the Roman Catholic Church was hostile to celebrating birthdays because of its pagan origins and because birth was a reminder of original sin.

Celebrating Saints' Days

The Catholic Church preferred to promote the feast of the "patron saint" (le jour du saint) corresponding to his or her baptismal name or death (natalice or funerary anniversarium) considered as the dies natalis, "day of birth" (at the resurrection).

For example, every one bearing the name of Pierre (Peter) was celebrated on St Peter's Day on 29 June, Christophe on 21 August and Marie on 15 August.

There were, however, three exceptions to this rule:

  • the 'Nativity of Jesus Christ' (that is Christmas)
  • the 'Nativity of St John the Baptist', (St John's Day)
  • and the 'Nativity of the Virgin Mary'. 

These three Christian feasts have also taken over the cults linked to the solstices and are not strictly speaking anniversary dates. No one knows the date and year of Jesus Christ's birth for the simple reason that in ancient times birthdays were not marked as they are today.

January Egerton Hours ci 1410

The saints celebrated in January - Egerton Hours circa 1410

The Reformation reintroduced birthdays

From the 16th century onwards, with the development of humanism and an awareness of human identity, the Protestant bourgeoisie in Northern Europe decided to celebrate their birthdays.

Protestants saw these celebrations as a good way of shifting attention away from the saint's day, in line with the rejection of the cult of saints.

Birthday Cake. Photo: amenic181 via Envato Elements

Birthday Cake. Photo: amenic181 via Envato Elements

When the French started celebrating birthdays

Gradually, celebrating the anniversary in France spread to the bourgeoisie and the working class in the 20th century.

Even at the beginning of the 20th century, many French people named after the saint honoured on their birth celebrated their feast day on their birthday.

Since the 1950s, the celebration of birthdays has become commonplace under British influence: the party among friends is becoming more common, underlined by a vast commercial pressure to which children are very receptive.

A personal landmark in time

A real landmark in time, birthdays are celebrated every year in childhood and even in adult life. The eighteenth birthday, an important milestone, marks the accession to adulthood in France.

Joyeux anniversaire. Photo: RuthBlack via Envato Elements

Joyeux anniversaire. Photo: RuthBlack via Envato Elements

Young men and women acquire various rights and responsibilities: voting, the right to consume certain substances (e.g. alcohol, tobacco), the call to military service (until 1997 in France), the driving licence,

If the birthday continues to be celebrated with the family, only the round numbers (20 years, 25 years or a quarter of a century, 30 years, 40 years, etc.) allow the circle of friends to be enlarged, sometimes without the recipient's knowledge: it is then un anniversaire-surprise (surprise birthday) or une surprise-partie (surprise party).

The birthday cake and the candle

The birthday cake (le gâteau d'anniversaire) that carries the candles is often very elaborate and decorated, without having a unique shape like that of the ancient Romans and without a particular recipe.

Birthday Cake. Photo: amenic181 via Envato Elements

Birthday Cake. Photo: amenic181 via Envato Elements

An ancient origin rich in symbols

According to authors Ralph and Adelin Linton in "The lore of Birthdays" (New York, 1952), the birthday cake echoes the honey cakes of the ancient Greeks. They were round like the moon and lit by candles before being placed on the altars of the temple of Diana. 

The symbol of candles

Popular belief attributes birthday candles to the magical power to grant wishes. Lit candles and sacrificial fires have always had a special mystical significance since man erected altars to his gods.

The candles are, therefore, a tribute to the birthday child; they bring honour and good luck to the child. Birthday wishes and good wishes are an integral part of the celebration. This belief has its roots in magic. Birthday wishes can do good or harm because one is closer to the spirit world at that moment.

Birthday candles. Photo: SmitBruins via Envato Elements

Birthday candles. Photo: SmitBruins via Envato Elements

The rising flame of the candles symbolises the growing life. As many candles as there are years are put out, thus visualising the passing of the milestone, and these candles are to be blown out at once to remind us of the power of the growing breath of life.

Children's birthday parties

A birthday is often considered a special day for a person who usually receives special attention from family and friends. This is especially true for children who look forward to their own birthdays.

A family meal

A child's birthday is celebrated with a family meal, possibly with the godfather and godmother present, a party with friends and children of the same age group or "une boum" (party) when the child is older (around ten or eleven).

Birthday 02. Photo serenkonata via Envato Elements

Birthday Party. Photo: serenkonata via Envato Elements

Sometimes a third occasion is given to the youngest children to blow out their candles at kindergarten or school around a cake brought by the parents.

This amplification corresponds to the development of leisure in general, with the gift and the 'cult' of the table in France.

Birthday Party. Photo: serenkonata via Envato Elements

Birthday Party. Photo: serenkonata via Envato Elements

A party with friends

Between children, the reception of friends is very official. It can be the first ritual of socialisation. Invitation cards (les cartes d'anniversaire) are sent or distributed in advance, and the decoration of the house and the buffet, which includes sweets and sweet drinks, is elaborate. The clothing (chic or cool, depending on age) is carefully chosen.

Birthday Party. Photo: seventyfourimages via Envato Elements

Birthday Party. Photo: seventyfourimages via Envato Elements

The birthday cake ceremony

When the candles decorating the cake are lit, the moment, often highlighted by photos, is intense. The lights are then lowered to make the moment more solemn, and the assembly sings "Joyeux anniversaire".

Birthday Cake. Photo Pressmaster via Envato Elements

Birthday Cake. Photo: Pressmaster via Envato Elements

Once the song is over, there may be a silence during which the recipient may make a wish inwardly before blowing out the candles. Traditionally, if all the candles are extinguished at once, the wish will be fulfilled.

Another superstition associated with birthday wishes is that they will not be fulfilled if the person reveals the wish.

Joyeux anniversaire. Photo Repnitskaya via Envato Elements

Joyeux anniversaire. Photo Repnitskaya via Envato Elements

Then comes the time to open the presents.

Birthday presents

The guests give the child, the king of the party, presents: these are essential and help with socialisation. On this occasion, the child learns the rules of civility, whether receiving or giving.

Birthday Party. Photo: seventyfourimages via Envato Elements.jpg

Birthday Party. Photo: seventyfourimages via Envato Elements.jpg

The small gifts given to the friends present are also obligatory, as during a rite of integration. They are reminiscent of the sugared almonds distributed during a christening to make the child accepted by the host community. Gifts and counter-gifts constitute a system of exchange with a monetary value that is important in the long run, even if they come after Christmas gifts.

Birthday games

After le goûter d'anniversaire (birthday snack), it's time for fun games, like musical chairs, a treasure hunt, etc.

Birthday Party. Photo: halfpoint via Envato Elements

Birthday Party. Photo: halfpoint via Envato Elements

Visits to the zoo, theatre, circus, and puppet shows are also very popular.
It is also customary to send a birthday card to the person, especially when you are not physically present, to wish them a Joyeux anniversaire!

Joyeux anniversaire. Photo RuthBlack via Envato Elements

Joyeux anniversaire. Photo RuthBlack via Envato Elements

French Nursery Rhymes

My challenge for the year 2023 is to publish 80 French Nursery Rhymes lyrics and descriptions (list below). Come back as time goes by to discover the new articles:

French Nursery Rhymes Cover by French Moments
French Nursery Rhymes
A la claire fontaine © French Moments
Ah ! dis-moi donc bergère © French Moments
Ah ! Les crocodiles © French Moments
Ah ! vous dirai-je, maman © French Moments
Ainsi font, font, font © French Moments
Alouette gentille alouette © French Moments
Au clair de la lune © French Moments
Au feu les pompiers © French Moments
Au royaume de Diguedondaine © French Moments
Auprès de ma blonde © French Moments
Aux marches du palais © French Moments
Blanc Blanc Blanc belle rose © French Moments
Bon voyage Monsieur Dumollet © French Moments
Buvons un coup ma serpette est perdue © French Moments
C'est la mère Michel © French Moments
C'était Anne de Bretagne © French Moments
Cadet Rousselle © French Moments
Car c’est un bon camarade © French Moments
Chère Élise © French Moments
Chevaliers de la table ronde © French Moments
Colchiques dans les prés © French Moments
Compagnons de la Marjolaine © French Moments
Dame Tartine © French Moments
Dans les prisons de Nantes © French Moments
Dansons la capucine © French Moments
Dodo, l'enfant do © French Moments
En passant par la Lorraine © French Moments
Fais dodo © French Moments
Fleur d’épine © French Moments
Frère Jacques © French Moments
Gentil coquelicot © French Moments
Il court, il court, le furet © French Moments
Il était un petit cordonnier © French Moments
Il était un petit navire © French Moments
Il était une bergère © French Moments
Il pleut, il pleut, bergère © French Moments
J'ai du bon tabac © French Moments
J'ai un gros nez rouge © French Moments
J'fais pipi sur le gazon © French Moments
Je te tiens par la barbichette © French Moments
Joyeux anniversaire © French Moments
La bonne aventure ô gué © French Moments
La danse des canards © French Moments
La légende de saint Nicolas © French Moments
Le bon roi Dagobert © French Moments
Le carillon de Vendôme © French Moments
Le coucou © French Moments
Le facteur n'est pas passé © French Moments
Le fermier dans son pré © French Moments
Le temps des cerises © French Moments
Le temps du muguet © French Moments
Le vieux MacDonald © French Moments
Les filles de La Rochelle © French Moments
Maman les p'tits bateaux © French Moments
Malbrough s'en va-t-en guerre © French Moments
Meunier, tu dors © French Moments
Mignonne allons voir si la rose © French Moments
Mon âne © French Moments
Mon père m'a donné un mari © French Moments
Ne pleure pas Jeannette © French Moments
Nous n'irons plus au bois © French Moments
Ô gai, vive la rose © French Moments
Passe passe passera © French Moments
Pirouette Cacahuète © French Moments
Plantons la vigne © French Moments
Pomme de reinette et pomme d'api © French Moments
Pomme, pêche, poire, abricot © French Moments
Promenons-nous dans les bois © French Moments
Savez-vous planter les choux ? © French Moments
Sur la route de Dijon © French Moments
Sur la route de Louviers © French Moments
Sur le pont d'Avignon © French Moments
Sur le pont du nord © French Moments
Tout va très bien madame la marquise © French Moments
Trois jeunes tambours © French Moments
Un éléphant ça trompe énormément © French Moments
Un kilomètre à pied © French Moments
Un, deux, trois, nous irons au bois © French Moments
Une chanson douce © French Moments
Une poule sur un mur © French Moments
Une souris verte © French Moments
V'la le bon vent © French Moments
Voici le mois de mai © French Moments
Y avait dix filles dans un pré © French Moments
About the author

Pierre is a French/Australian who is passionate about France and its culture. He grew up in France and Germany and has also lived in Australia and England. He has a background teaching French, Economics and Current Affairs, and holds a Master of Translating and Interpreting English-French with the degree of Master of International Relations, and a degree of Economics and Management. Pierre is the author of the Discovery Course on the Secrets of the Eiffel Tower and the Christmas book "Voyage au Pays de Noël".

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