Wednesday, February 14, 2018

Happy Birthday Song

Wednesday, February 14, 2018

Yesterday was my birthday and what a wonderful day it was. Thanks to social media, many people at work were aware of it and I got happy birthday wishes all day. And I can’t even begin to guess how many birthday messages I got on the computer – hundreds. Some were from local friends but many were from folks going as far back as high school or earlier. I heard from former co-workers, friends from our 3 churches, and, of course, my family.

Two people called and sang to me. One was the traditional birthday song. The other was I-don’t-know-what. Both made me laugh. And they made me think about traditional songs from other countries. I was particularly interested in seeing/hearing what the traditional Russian song was like. It’s priceless. I hope you enjoy it!

Pust begut Niukluzhe (Пусть бегут неуклюже)

Пусть бегут неуклюже
Пешеходы по лужам,
А вода — по асфальту рекой.
И не ясно прохожим
В этот день непогожий,
Почему я веселый такой.

Припев:
Я играю на гармошке
У прохожих на виду...
К сожаленью, день рожденья
Только раз в году.

Прилетит вдруг волшебник
В голубом вертолете
И бесплатно покажет кино.
С днем рожденья поздравит
И, наверно, оставит
Мне в подарок пятьсот «эскимо».

Припев
Я играю на гармошке
У прохожих на виду...
К сожаленью, день рожденья
Только раз в году.


Russian Birthday Song

Never mind that the clumsy pedestrians are jumping over rain puddles.
And that the water is streaming down the street.
And never mind that the passers-by can't make sense of
Why it is that I'm so happy on such a dreary day.

Yet I'm playing my accordion
In front of everyone on the street.
It's so sad that a birthday
Can only happen once a year.

A wizard will suddenly appear
In a blue helicopter,
And will show me free movies.
He'll say Happy Birthday
And just before he flies away
He'll probably leave 500 ice cream cones for me.

Yet I'm playing my accordion
In front of everyone on the street.
It's so sad that a birthday
Can only happen once a year.


So the next time you wish someone "happy birthday," remember that somewhere in Russia someone might be singing of a wizard in a blue helicopter showing movies and dropping ice cream cones!


Bill, Lizzie, Dakota, Patience, Klecenda, Patrick, Emily, and Will
2-13-2018

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