Mildred Hill and Patty Hill were sisters who wrote the song "Good Morning to All" in 1893. Mildred wrote the tune while Patty Hill wrote the original lyrics. The tune became even more popular in the 20th century as "Happy Birthday to You." The song was first published in a collection of songs for children called Song Stories for the Kindergarten. The Hills were music teachers, and they wrote the song to be sung by their students as a way to greet one another in the morning. "Good Morning to All" quickly became a popular children's song, and it is still sung today. The melody of the song was later used by George Cohan for his patriotic song "Over There."
Mildred Hill was born on June 27, 1859, in Louisville, Kentucky. She was the youngest of nine children. Her father, William Hill, was a music teacher, and her mother, Harriet Hill, was a singer. Mildred showed an early interest in music, and she began taking piano lessons from her father at the age of six. She later studied music at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston.
Patty Hill was born on March 27, 1868 in Anchorage, Kentucky. She was the second youngest of the Hill children. Patty also studied music at the New England Conservatory of Music.
In 1893, the Hills published a collection of songs for children called Song Stories for the Kindergarten. The collection included "Good Morning to All," which was written by Mildred and Patty. The song was intended to be sung by children as a way to greet one another in the morning.
Mildred and Patty Hill continued to write songs and teach music throughout their lives. They received many awards for their work, including the National Music Council's Award of Merit in 1958.
Mildred Hill died on June 5, 1916, in New York City. Patty Hill died on March 25, 1946, in Louisville, Kentucky.
