[Intro]
“another year older, another year wiser”
[Refrain]
Another year older
(Or so they say)
I could swear…
(It’s just another day)
[Refrain]
Another year older
(Or so they say)
I could swear…
(It’s just another day)
Surprise!
(Not so much wise)
As I will be the next day…
(Least that’s what I say)
[Bridge]
(Another)
Another year older
(Another)
Another year wiser
(Another)
And
(Another)
Old… (wise)
Surprise
(Realize)
Somehow…
(… in the now!)
[Refrain]
Another year older
(Or so they say)
I could swear…
(It’s just another day)
Surprise!
(Not so much wise)
As I will be the next day…
(Least that’s what I say)
[Outro]
Another year older
(Or so they say)
I could swear…
(It’s just another day)
OK… a lil’ more
(Wear and tear)
But, “Surprise!”
(I realize)
I live to become wise…
(… the next day…)
What do you say?
About the Song
The new release of the day is “Just Another Day” — inspired by reflecting on my birthday and the old saying, “Another year older, another year wiser.”
I’m not so sure about the wiser part. The last 24 hours seemed like just another day… well, maybe I feel a day older. As for becoming wiser, I’m looking forward to living at least another day to find out!
I did get to enjoy my birthday present: MUSIC! I spent some time playing a variety of analog and digital instruments, with the most fun coming from the digital Hohner Clavinet. There’s something about that funky keyboard sound that just makes you want to keep playing… and dancing!
The song has a little humor, a little reflection, and a whole lot of instrumental fun. Maybe getting older isn’t about suddenly becoming wiser. Maybe it’s about remembering to play—and discovering that wisdom comes through experimentation.
Another year older? Apparently.
Another year wiser? Let’s see what tomorrow brings!
**Just Another Day** — because today is still another day to play.
Origin of the Phrase
The phrase “another year older, another year wiser” is an English folk proverb that does not have a single, credited author. Instead, it evolved naturally over centuries as a linguistic blend of older cultural ideas about aging and intellect.
Its historical roots trace back to two primary influences:
• Ancient Proverbs: The phrase builds directly on ancient traditional proverbs like “With age comes wisdom” (which itself echoes biblical texts, such as Job 12:12: “Is not wisdom found among the aged?”).
• Rhyming Folk Sayings: In the 18th and 19th centuries, English speakers frequently paired life milestones with simple, rhyming parallelisms (e.g., “older and bolder,” “older and colder”). The rhythmic, parallel structure of “another year older, another year wiser” made it incredibly easy to remember and repeat.
• By the mid-20th century, the expression became deeply embedded in Western birthday culture. It shifted from a philosophical observation about elderhood into a lighthearted, standard greeting used on greeting cards, in toasts, and as a personal reflection during annual milestones.
Is it Always True?
While it’s a popular birthday greeting, opinions are mixed on whether we actually become wiser with age. Getting older doesn’t automatically make us wiser. True wisdom comes from self-reflection, empathy, and learning from our mistakes. And playing, dancing, and singing certainly can help along the way!
From the album “Vista“