"If You're Happy and You Know It" is a popular repetitive children's song from the United States, credited to Dr. Alfred B. Smith, midway through the 1900s. The song has been noted for its similarities to "Molodejnaya", a song appearing in the 1938 Soviet musical film Volga-Volga.
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History of the song
The song was published in various places through the decades following, including a volume of "constructive recreational activities" for children, a book of drama projects for disabled children, and a nursing home manual.
In 1971, Jonico Music filed for copyright on the song, crediting it to Joe Raposo.
During the early part of the 2000s, the music Recording Industry Association of America actively prosecuted individuals for downloading music using file-sharing services. Widespread media attention was paid to one 12-year-old, whose downloads included "If You're Happy and You Know It" from Kazaa.
Lyric variations
Like many children's cantations, there are many versions of the lyrics. A popular version goes like this:
This verse is usually followed by three more, which follow the same pattern but say: "If you're happy and you know it, stomp your feet!", "If you're happy and you know it, shout/say 'hooray'!" or "shout/say 'amen'!"; and, "If you're happy and you know it, do all three!" Other versions of the song tend to say "then your face will surely show it" in place of "and you really want to show it"; the form "then you really ought to show it" has also been used. Many variations on the substance of the first three verses exist, including:
"... shout/say, 'Hooray'!" "... slap your knees!" "... slap your legs!" "... turn around!" "... snap your fingers!" "... nod your head!" "... tap your toe!" "... honk your nose!" "... pat your head!"