Thanksgiving Songs: If You’re Happy and You know It

If You’re Happy and You Know It is a children’s song that reminds us of what to be thankful for and how to express it.

Al Smith

The song is credited to Dr. Alfred B. Smith.  He wrote the song in the mid-1900s and the song was published in a variety of places.  Often the song was used to help disabled children and in nursing homes.

One source stated that the “pedigree” of the song traces back to an old Latvian folk song dating back to the early 1900s.

The song has been noted for its similarities to “Molodejnaya”, a song appearing in the 1938 Soviet musical film Volga-Volga.

The song is repetitive throughout each verse and the action of the verse.

The song has been used in a variety of TV shows and movies.

If You’re Happy and You Know it is one of the most popular and downloaded Children’s songs.  This may be for the upbeat and happy theme of the song.