Singing the 'Happy Birthday Song' has become a popular way to celebrate birthdays in many countries throughout the world. The appearance of the birthday cake encourages us all to gather around and break out in song.

In the 12th Century it became popular to celebrate birthdays but the birthday song as we know it now came from an early 20th century broadway show. As recent as 1925, the Hill family from Kentucky won a copyright infringement case and was ruled to own the song. Customs such as blowing out candles on a birthday cake and making a wish was started in Germany centuries ago but the birthday song has much more modern origins.

Why has it become so popular we may ask and many believe the answer lies in our human nature and our intrinsic connection to music. The singing of songs has led men into battle, raised our spiritual connection in places of worship, inspired us to action and lifted our hopes in dire situations.

Music is our expression of emotions, a release of sadness, joy and love which connects us all together as one. Many great songwriters have composed songs about birthdays because they are a celebration of life and the accomplishments of humanity.

When we all sing together the 'Happy Birthday Song', we are united in expressing our feelings towards that person and the importance of their life being integrated with our own. We may not all have the greatest of voices when we sing out loud and we may even be embarrassingly out of tune, but to the birthday celebrant it will be like music from heaven. A deeply felt chorus sung by loved ones, relatives and friends celebrating their life with a song of friendship and harmony.

A birthday is the most celebrated anniversary of all and so it should be because it recognises the milestones of our life. It bonds together the family and friendships we have created and exemplifies the true value of our existence, 'To Love And To Be Loved'.

Music is a wonderful messenger of those emotions, so the next time you sing 'Happy Birthday To You' , reflect on the importance of that person in your life. The celebration of birthdays is the recognition of our existence and our own personal footprints on life.

The success of our lives can be measured by the quality of our relationships and friendships we have nurtured throughout our life.