# If You're Happy and You Know It

"If You're Happy and You Know It" is an action song that appeared in print in the 1950s and was copyrighted to Joe Raposo in 1971; each verse asks children to clap, stamp or cheer to show how they feel.

## At a glance

| | |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | United States |
| Sung in | English |
| Words by | Traditional |
| First known | in print by the 1950s |
| Best for ages | 2–7 |
| Mood | dancing, playful |
| Page | https://littlesongbook.com/songs/if-you-re-happy-and-you-know-it/ |

## Lyrics

### Verse 1 (en)

If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands! (clap clap)
If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands! (clap clap)
If you're happy and you know it, then your face will surely show it.
If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands! (clap clap)

## How to sing it

1. Clap twice in the gaps, exactly where the song leaves room for them.
2. Change the action each verse — stamp your feet, shout "hurray!", nod your head.
3. For a last verse, string all the actions together: clap your hands, stamp your feet, and shout hurray!

## Common questions

**Where does "If You're Happy and You Know It" come from?**

Its exact origin is uncertain. It turns up in American activity and drama books for children through the 1950s and 1960s, and in 1971 the music publisher Jonico Music registered a copyright crediting the song to Joe Raposo, the composer known for much of the music on "Sesame Street".

**How does "If You're Happy and You Know It" work?**

It is an action song: each verse names a feeling and a way to show it — clap your hands, stamp your feet, shout "hurray" — and everyone does the action in the pauses. New verses just add new actions, and the fun is in doing them together and in time.

**Is "If You're Happy and You Know It" sung in other countries?**

Widely. It has been translated and adapted around the world; the Japanese version, popularised by the singer Kyu Sakamoto, even changes the melody slightly to fit the new words.

## Sources

- [Wikipedia — If You're Happy and You Know It](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/If_You%27re_Happy_and_You_Know_It)
- https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3179213