When Josephine was the Sunday School Superintendent at the New Baden, Illinois Methodist Church, she wrote new words to the tune of an old Methodist hymn, "When He Cometh." At the end of Sunday School each week, all the classes met together in the sanctuary, where they sang hymns, gave an offering, and sang this birthday song. Anyone who had a birthday would come forward at that time and place one penny in the offering basket for each year of their age. You can click here to hear the melody of the song.

Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday
Your friends are all singing.
May the year that is opening
Bring gladness to you.
May it teach you to be helpful,
Kind-hearted and loving.
Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday,
Happy Birthday to you!