Happy Birthday

from True Lovers of Adventure by Mary Lee Kortes

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about

Co-written with Stephen Butler. I often write lyrics from my unconscious. It's my favorite way to write. It helps me feel possessed by the song. It took my husband to point out to me that I was writing this song about my mother, who died when I was ten. Talk about unconscious!

lyrics

HAPPY BIRTHDAY (M. Kortes/S. Butler) Magda Lane Music (ASCAP)/ Clementunes (ASCAP)

There, I got a new dress and
Nothing too bad to confess and
I’m trading in these old shoes
Here, I see a new morning
Just like the one I was born in
The twelve o’clock bell brings the news

Happy Birthday
One more candle to blow out
I’ll be OK
I oughta know me by now

There, that’s how it all started
Me and the dearly departed
Passing like ships ever more
I’m tossing my old emotions
Cause I’ve heard you can’t find new oceans
Till you lose sight of the shore

Happy Birthday
One more year has gone somehow
You’ll go, I’ll stay
I oughta know me by now

BRIDGE: Happy Birthday
You’ll go I’ll stay
I’ll be OK

Happy Birthday
Tears of joy are falling down
I’ll be OK
I oughta know me by now
Happy Birthday
Do do do do do do do
Happy Birthday
I oughta know me by now

credits

from True Lovers of Adventure, released April 23, 1999
Produced by Eric "Roscoe" Ambel

Mary Lee Kortes: lead vocals
Stephen Butler: electric guitar,
Andy York: baritone & electric guitar
Joe Chiofalo: accordion
Brad Albetta: bass
Graham Hawthorne: drums & percussion

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Mary Lee Kortes New York, New York

"Songs so meticulously crafted they sound completely natural". Jon Pareles, The New York Times
“Mary Lee Kortes's voice—the high mountain sunshine of Dolly Parton with a sweet-iron undercoat of Chrissie Hynde." David Fricke, Rolling Stone
"Mary Lee in concert... a feast for lovers of great songwriting that thrives in live performance for its wit, insight and glowing humanity." Billboard
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