leaving the present(s) behind and taking a trip down memory lane.
with a friend
on the telephone.
Lots of your friends might call you on your birthday, coming backwards down the number line.
The only rule (about life) is that it begins. You decide what [your life] contains and how long it lasts.
I like the mathematical aspect of the song. A number line begins (at the origin) and extends to infinity. If you break down the song, it is really making the claim that somehow life is as infinite as the number line itself. If the "only rule" is that "it begins," then by extension, there is no rule about anything else, but death in particular.
I think that the message is less "hey man there are no rules, party hearty!" but rather "congratulations, you got yourself born. What will you do with this gift? How can you make it infinite and pass on the positivity? How about through celebrating and tending to your connections with your friends?"
That's a good idea. I miss my buddy in Cali. I should give him a call.
Actually, the song is written for Tom Marshall, childhood friend of Trey's and longtime phish lyricist. It is a description of the tradition that the two of them have had since they were 8 and 9. On the other guy's birthday, they either call, write down, or sing in person a new birthday song each year. The only rule is that the SONG begins,
"Happy, happy, oh my friend". Hence the lyrics, the writer/singer decides what it contains, how long, etc. Song was written because the two had a small falling out following the apparent demise of phish in 2004...
Actually, the song is written for Tom Marshall, childhood friend of Trey's and longtime phish lyricist. It is a description of the tradition that the two of them have had since they were 8 and 9. On the other guy's birthday, they either call, write down, or sing in person a new birthday song each year. The only rule is that the SONG begins,
"Happy, happy, oh my friend". Hence the lyrics, the writer/singer decides what it contains, how long, etc. Song was written because the two had a small falling out following the apparent demise of phish in 2004
It's great hearing about the true origins of the song and the sentiments behind it. I really like joejeffery's take on it as well, my initial reaction to it being kind of similar.
It's great hearing about the true origins of the song and the sentiments behind it. I really like joejeffery's take on it as well, my initial reaction to it being kind of similar.
You decide what it contains
How long it goes
But this remains
The only rule is it begins
Happy happy oh my friend
You decide what it contains
How long it goes
But this remains
The only rule is it begins
Happy happy oh my friend
The chorus (alone) is so flexible, it can easily speak for living as well.
The chorus (alone) is so flexible, it can easily speak for living as well.
It ccould also refer to letting the people in your life know you care about them, somehow. Celebrating their life intertwined with yours. You alone best decide how, just that you do it.
backwards down the numberline=
leaving the present(s) behind and taking a trip down memory lane.
with a friend
on the telephone.
Lots of your friends might call you on your birthday, coming backwards down the number line.
The only rule (about life) is that it begins. You decide what [your life] contains and how long it lasts.
I like the mathematical aspect of the song. A number line begins (at the origin) and extends to infinity. If you break down the song, it is really making the claim that somehow life is as infinite as the number line itself. If the "only rule" is that "it begins," then by extension, there is no rule about anything else, but death in particular.
I think that the message is less "hey man there are no rules, party hearty!" but rather "congratulations, you got yourself born. What will you do with this gift? How can you make it infinite and pass on the positivity? How about through celebrating and tending to your connections with your friends?"
That's a good idea. I miss my buddy in Cali. I should give him a call.
Actually, the song is written for Tom Marshall, childhood friend of Trey's and longtime phish lyricist. It is a description of the tradition that the two of them have had since they were 8 and 9. On the other guy's birthday, they either call, write down, or sing in person a new birthday song each year. The only rule is that the SONG begins, "Happy, happy, oh my friend". Hence the lyrics, the writer/singer decides what it contains, how long, etc. Song was written because the two had a small falling out following the apparent demise of phish in 2004...
Actually, the song is written for Tom Marshall, childhood friend of Trey's and longtime phish lyricist. It is a description of the tradition that the two of them have had since they were 8 and 9. On the other guy's birthday, they either call, write down, or sing in person a new birthday song each year. The only rule is that the SONG begins, "Happy, happy, oh my friend". Hence the lyrics, the writer/singer decides what it contains, how long, etc. Song was written because the two had a small falling out following the apparent demise of phish in 2004
It's great hearing about the true origins of the song and the sentiments behind it. I really like joejeffery's take on it as well, my initial reaction to it being kind of similar.
It's great hearing about the true origins of the song and the sentiments behind it. I really like joejeffery's take on it as well, my initial reaction to it being kind of similar.
You decide what it contains How long it goes But this remains The only rule is it begins Happy happy oh my friend
You decide what it contains How long it goes But this remains The only rule is it begins Happy happy oh my friend
The chorus (alone) is so flexible, it can easily speak for living as well.
The chorus (alone) is so flexible, it can easily speak for living as well.
It ccould also refer to letting the people in your life know you care about them, somehow. Celebrating their life intertwined with yours. You alone best decide how, just that you do it.
An additional thought -
An additional thought -
The only rule is it begins Happy happy oh my friend
The only rule is it begins Happy happy oh my friend
Happy happy "Oh" my friend - Happy Oh, happy O, happy zero? Each birthday as a rebirth, a clean slate, a chance to start over ...
Happy happy "Oh" my friend - Happy Oh, happy O, happy zero? Each birthday as a rebirth, a clean slate, a chance to start over ...