Volga Birthday

A traditional happy birthday song presented by the Slape family quartet.
We learned it in the Society for Creative Anachronism, but its existence predates the SCA (founded in 1966). According to the Kingdom of Caid's Wiki site, it was created by Harald of Breakstone and Steven MacEanruig for Don Segundo Sombre de Muerte Christiano before the SCA was founded. It was introduced by James Greyhelm to Martin the Temperate and Robear du Bois who promptly added their unique touch. It went viral even before the Internet was available as a vehicle to do so. One of the attractions is the open ended nature of the song, inviting people to write their own verses for it.
It was published in The Elf Hill Times Songbook (Kingdom of An Tir) in 1983 and had 19 verses by then, many of which were contributed by members of Clan o'Gordon.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• happy
• birthday
• viking
• dirge
• SCA
• pagan
• humor
• comedy
• logan
• katerina
• kat
• max
• leslie
• slape
• volga
• boatmen
• shire of river's bend
• an tir
• mongolian

[sappha58]

Fantastic! So much so that it is the *first* video I've ever favorited!

[LeslieSlape]

That's very flattering!

[Starshadow]

I was in the SCA in A.S. 7 and we sang it then. It's rather a tradition in pagan circles as well. I've been trying to get my wife's family to sing it for me, but no dice. They just don't get it.

"Now you've reached the age you are, your demise can not be far--Happy Birthday..

Hear the women wail and weep--kill them all, but SPARE THE SHEEP--Happy birthday.."

[LeslieSlape]

OK, there you have it folks. The song has been in existence at least as far back as 1973.

Were you in the Kingdom of the West?

My kids sang it for their grandfather and he loved it. Too bad your wife's family doesn't get it.

[edwoman2]

Perfect e-card for my daughter's 30th birthday. Too funny!

[LeslieSlape]

Cool! We hoped people would use it; that's why we made it. :) Glad you enjoyed our little quartet.

[mineofGod]

Got this for my birthday today. XD

[dragonflower17]

Thank you for lighting up my birthday with your brilliant quartet. :) I love hearing this song and it made me laugh.

[WhiteWinterWolfXKiba]

og mai gawd! my god-dad used to sing this to me for my birthday when i was little! i love this song! ^^

[LoraaEmeliaa]

Im So Puttinq This On My Sisters Faceboook Wall Fr Her Birthday!! Haa,((:

[musicbox63]

My birthday is today and one of my friends on Facebook was kind enough to send this to me and I absolutely LOVE it. You all are a hoot. It's one of several greetings that made my day;)!

[justiceleagueact]

I went to an evangelical Bible camp every summer growing up (1970s and 80s) and they sang this for everyone's birthday!!! Now it is an indispensible birthday tradition in my family, especially loved by my evangelical pastor dad! My sister Kat and I are the only lefty liberals in the bunch.

[DanielDebarberat]

My soul brother/ best friend has is new to the SCA and has a Viking persona. I played this to wake him up his birthday morning and posted it on his FB page. He LOVED it and couldn't stop laughing. Thanks for the great birthday e-card!

[tacoftw]

wazzuuuupppp i am the son of baron Thomas buttesthorn of the kingdom of the west so i find this terribly interesting :-)

[ColinSnow]

Was just sent this for my 28th. This is fantastic, I love olde style songs like this!

[CatalinaThePirate]

Oh what a great old song!!! Marvelous post, thank you!