The Association is an American pop band from California. During the late 19… Read Full Bio ↴The Association is an American pop band from California. During the late 1960s, the band had numerous hits at or near the top of the US Billboard charts (including "Windy", "Cherish", "Never My Love" and "Along Comes Mary") and were the lead-off band at 1967's Monterey Pop Festival. They are known for intricate vocal harmonies by the band's multiple singers (a style said to be influenced by The Hi-Los and The Lettermen).

Their best-known lineup included Terry Kirkman (vocals, woodwind instruments), Russ Giguere (vocals, guitar), Jim Yester (rhythm and lead guitar), Jules Alexander (lead and rhythm guitar), Brian Cole (bass) and Ted Bluechel Jr (drums) (and later Larry Ramos, who replaced Jules in early 1967).

Since 2014, founding members Jim Yester and Jules Alexander have been leading the current line-up of the Association, which includes Bruce Pictor, Paul Holland, Del Ramos, and Jordan Cole.

Birthday Morning
The Association Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Birthday Morning
(Jim Yester)

Night has cried
Her dewdrops in the grass
The dark has passed
And now it's morning
A birthday morning

Now the dawn is waking
In her hands
Awaiting plans
Of ribs and apples
To find the love way
This happy birthday

Got the feel of sunrise
In her hair
God unwinds her halo
To the stairway
To the moon
Just for this morning
A birthday morning

Now the dreams
Are dancing candlelight
That end the night
To bring her day dreams
And show the love way
This happy birthday

Got the feel of sunrise
In her hair
God unwinds her halo
To the stairway
To the moon
Just for this morning
A birthday morning
God bless the morning

God bless this morning
God bless this morning

Overall Meaning

The Association's song "Birthday Morning" evokes the magic and wonder of a special day in the life of the singer. The lyrics are filled with vivid and poetic imagery that captures the feeling of anticipation and joy that comes with a birthday. The song begins by describing the setting of a new day, with the dew on the grass and the dark having passed. The singer is excited for the plans that await them, which include having ribs and apples and finding the "love way." The repetition of "birthday morning" throughout the song emphasizes the significance of this day as a time for celebration and reflection.

Line by Line Meaning

Night has cried
The night ended with a dewy sadness

Her dewdrops in the grass
Glistening tears left behind as evidence of the night's mourning

The dark has passed
The sadness that overtook the night has lifted

And now it's morning
A new day has begun

A birthday morning
A special day of celebration and appreciation

Now the dawn is waking
The sunrise is arriving

In her hands
The day is under her control or guidance

Awaiting plans
The possibilities of the day are endless

Of ribs and apples
Potential gifts or symbols of love and celebration

To find the love way
To express and receive love on this special day

This happy birthday
A joyous celebration of life's blessings