You know it doesn't make much sense
There ought to be a law against
Anyone who takes offense
At a day in your celebration
'Cause we all know in our minds
That there ought to be a time
That we can set aside
To show just how much we love you

And I'm sure you would agree
It couldn't fit more perfectly
Than to have a world party on the day you came to be

Happy birthday to ya
Happy birthday to ya
Happy birthday
Happy birthday to ya
Happy birthday to ya
Happy birthday

I just never understood
How a man who died for good
Could not have a day that would
Be set aside for his recognition
Because it should never be
Just because some cannot see
The dream as clear as he
That they should make it become an illusion

And we all know everything
That he stood for time will bring
For in peace our hearts will sing
Thanks to Martin Luther King

Happy birthday to ya
Happy birthday to ya
Happy birthday
Happy birthday to ya
Happy birthday to ya
Happy birthday

Why has there never been a holiday
Where peace is celebrated
All throughout the world?

The time is overdue, uh
For people like me and you
Who know the way to truth
Is love and unity to all God's children
It should be a great event
And the whole day should be spent
In full remembrance
Of those who lived and died for the oneness of all people

So let us all begin
We know that love can win
Let it out, don't hold it in
Sing it loud as you can

Happy birthday to ya
Happy birthday to ya
Happy birthday (say it)
Happy birthday to ya (woo)
Happy birthday to ya
Happy birthday

Happy birthday to ya (okay, okay, okay, yeah)
Happy birthday to ya
Happy birthday
Happy birthday to ya
Happy birthday to ya
Happy birthday (aow)

(Happy birthday)
(Happy birthday)
(Happy birthday) ooh, yeah
(Happy birthday)
(Happy birthday)
(Happy birthday) (to you)

(Happy birthday) we know the key to unity of all people
(Happy birthday) is in the dream that you had so long ago
(Happy birthday) (to you) that lives in all of the hearts of people
(Happy birthday) that believe in unity
(Happy birthday) we'll make the dream become a reality
(Happy birthday) (to you) I know we will
Because our hearts tell us so

(Happy birthday)
(Happy birthday)
(Happy birthday) (to you)
(Happy birthday) (to you)
(Happy birthday) (to you)
(Happy birthday) (to you)
(Happy birthday) (to you)
(Happy birthday) (to you)