[The children sit in a circle wearing crowns. In the middle on a small table is the birthday cake, flowers, a large candle, as many small candles as the years of the birthday child, a taper and some musical instruments. The birthday child's mother or father have a special part. First, the large candle is lit by the group leader. The birthday child chooses a heavenly guide. The birthday child and his "guide" walk hand in hand around the outside of the circle while all sing the first two stanzas.] glad you were born today birthday song
1. Star Child with his starry guide,Travels through the heavens far.Walks in many shiny places,In the house of every star.2. That to earth his way may lead,Gifts from every star he owns.From the harmonies of heaven,He receives the starry tones.
[Now the instruments are passed around and the children sound "tones" for the birthday child. After the instruments are collected, the next stanza is sung. The "guide" receives the crown and then joins the circle of children as father and mother receive the birthday child.]
3. When to earth his way has led,To his guide he gives his crown.Father, mother waiting for him,Welcome him to home and town.
During each of the following stanzas the birthday child walks around the inside of the circle of sitting children. When he returns to his point of departure he lights the taper on the large candle and with it the first, second, third... small candle. He blows out the taper and circles again, etc.]
4. Slumbering in his cradle bed,Earthchild grew, could giggle, smile,Sit and crawl, delight his mother,And the first year speeded by.Mother, Father: And [child's name] was was one year old.
5. Now he toddles through his room,Little teeth show his smile,He delights in words and music,And the second year sped by.
6. Now he runs and talks all day,Singing with a voice so high,Helping mother, helping father,And the third year speeded by.
7. Starry children he had met,Earthbound with their heavenly guides,Now as little friends they meet,And the fourth year speeded by.
8. Now they paint and sing and dance,As the earthly friends come nigh,Brother, sister join the family,And the fifth year speeded by.
9. One more year of playing free,Prince and princess, fox so sly,Lessons are waiting at the ending,And the sixth year speeded by.
And today [child's name] is six years old.
[All rise, hold hands and skip around the outside of the circle of chairs singing:]
"[child's name]" has his birthday, today, today!That's why we are gay today, happy and merry and gay.Presents and good wishes; cake and favorite dishes!Oh! "[child's name]" is so gay today, happy and merry and gay!