It's my special day again
Put the candles on the cake
To celebrate again
Ode to the passing of a year
The joyful count to ten
Then to thirteen, then suddenly
I am eighteen, then twenty one years young
But fundamentally older

A parade of ages marching by
How did those arcs all feel like mine
The tree outside I thought was dead
Has sprouted leaves and grown a head
My favorite clothes no longer fit
But favorites change, I'm over it
My friends all come and go
Why do they go, oh no, I'm not over it

Is the passing time surpassing
My capacity to bask in shining
Moments of my life I hope that I can find

I am older holding onto
Fragments of the past
It is almost in my grasp, if I can
Get a bit closer, be a bit bold
Certainly it can be mine
I can control the flow of time

It's my special day again
Though the specialty feels faded
No more birthday cake instead of blowing candles
I am blowing off my
Work til ten (hmm you thought)
How'd it end up like this
I do insist I was a lotta fun before this
Stupid money driven

Continental scheme slammed into me
Said "happiness is never free"
The hidden cost past dollar fees was
Trickling minutes, hours, days and
Weeks and months gone in a flash
Exchanged for wads of petty cash
Don't want this money can I trade it in
For just some seconds back

The time has gone away but my body aches
It has been forever how has nothing changed
I am still bent over can I just take my time

I am older holding onto
Fragments of the past
It is almost in my grasp, if I can
Get a bit closer, be a bit bold
Certainly it can be mine
I can control the flow of time (and this sax solo!)

Happy birthday to me
I have earned my degree
I am working, but it's not working
Happy birthday to me