Happy 83rd birthday wishes from all over the world

Below you can read all ’83rd birthday’ messages to Chris Simpson.
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Dave Edwards

A  Very Happy 83rd to Chris Simpson from  Dave Edwards of Burntwood Staffs.

Thanks for the great songs 👍.

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Les Hogg

Thank you for music the songs your singing

Thank you for the joy your bringing

Who can live without it I ask in all honesty

What would life be without a song or dance what are we

So I say thank you for the music for bringing it to me

And the people of Tring.

Happy Birthday Chris

Les

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John Bennett

Have a great day, Chris. Live it up, or just rest up, as your bones dictate. 56 years since we first met at Camden council – it just doesn’t seem possible. Happy memories of you, Glen and Lyall. Stay safe and keep writing. God bless.
John Bennett

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Richard Tree

I have been a fan of MC since the early 70’s and still play tracks on my two weekly folk shows on  two local  radio stations here in Kings Lynn! My fave albums are Seasons and Lord Of The Ages ( I am getting on a bit !)

Have a fab 83rd Chris

Richard Tree

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Chris Abrams

Chris, HAPPY BIRTHDAY our dear friend. You changed our whole lives through your wonderful music and this means more than we can ever say.

Much love from us both and we’ll see you again very soon!

Chris and Annie xxx

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John Heaton

Dear Chris ,

Fellow Harrogate Grammar School old boy !

Many thanks for your friendship & kindness across the decades .

And for your amazing collection of songs & concert memories .

I don’t think there’s been a day in the last 50 years when I wasn’t humming one of your songs to myself . I can’t begin to name a favourite .

Maybe a short list (?!) of 40 or 50 ?

Ernie Hill would be proud of you !!

Love to you & Cathy .

I look forward to catching up with you both & Magna Carta fans in Harrogate .

 

John Heaton
Kent , England

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Tony Cox

Hi Chris, wishing you a very Happy Birthday. Our path’s have intertwined over the many years, mine is all the better for it. Thank you for the wonderful Music and Words.
We met a few times, don’t know if you remember me. I now have most of your Music and quite a few Guitars!!  But most cherished are the Memories of You, the Band and the Performances.
Enjoy your day, be proud of your legacy, thank you.
With love from us,

Tony Cox and Family
Steeple Claydon.

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Steph Tedstone

Sending love on your birthday Chris and wishing you Many Happy Returns xx

Steph Tedstone

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Jan Loman

Dear Chris, very, very, very happy birthday coming sunday.
I hope you will have a wonderful day.
Stay healthy.
Warm regards from your ‘old friend’ from Holland.
Jan Loman

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Jack

Dear Chris,

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Chris! If you were here in California, I would give you a big hug!
You have been sharing your wonderful, creative talent with us for many years.
The artistic tapestries that you have woven are a gift to the world.
Today, we salute you!
May our Lord and Savior watch over you, Chris — and bless you with increased faith, health, and the abiding, beautiful grace and peace that only Jesus can provide.

Be well, my long-distance friend. I will pray for you and your family.

In Christ,
Jack, California

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Ted Comiskey
I ran Canterbury Folk Festival in Ingersoll Ontario Canada for twenty years and Chris Simpson with MAGNA CARTA were a great part of it.
Happy Birthday
Love you Chris from Ted and Sherry and the boys.
You celebrated four birthdays at my home in Canada and I loved each moment.
Take care my friend.

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Louise van Uum,

Dear Chris
I hope you’re fine.

I would like to wish you a very happy birthday together with Cath and your beloved ones.
I hope that you will have a wonderful day.
I’ll raise my glass of red wine on you on Sunday 🍷
I’m still thinking of the beautiful memories during your concerts in the Netherlands. I hope some day we’ll meet again.

All the best from Louise (Harry’s friend)
Arnhem, the Netherlands

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Wibo Rombout

Happy long live for you!! 💐🍻🥂🤸🎆🎇🎉

Wibo, holland

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Steve Hambleton

Happy Birthday Chris,

Too many happy memories to list – have a great day and hope the event on 16^th goes well – so sorry we can’t be with you.

Love Steve & Sue

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Chris Simpson

Congratulations and Happy Birthday Chris. Have a great day and hope to see you on Wednesday.

From the other Chris Simpson from Harrogate

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Herwig De Noyette

Dear Chris. 83 today… ?
That’s impossible…it’s probably fake news (just kidding).
You’re already a living legend and, in my eyes, a friend for life.
Happy birthday, Chris…and many more healthy and musical years to go. Love you!

Herwig De Noyette (Belgium – Music House Oudenaarde / Lovendegem)

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Peter Tuffs

A very Happy Birthday Chris

You still come up regularly on my iPod shuffle, bringing back fond memories of the past 50+ years since I first saw MC supporting Ralph McTell in my hometown of Guildford – before I discovered God’s Own County! All the Grassington evenings… my 40th birthday ‘do’ in York (26 years ago!)… getting to know you a little… meeting other lovely MC fans over the years… the 2009 Amsterdam farewell concert when I’d just returned after 8 years in Australia…the subsequent ‘Fields of Eden’ band…

Thanks for the memories Chris!

Peter Tuffs, York, England

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André Lefebvre

Dearest Chris,
Let me congratulate you on your 83r birthday!! And on a prolific and inspiring career and body of work that still move millions. 🙂

Thank you for the gift of Lord of the Ages especially. Creating a cover of the song (during COVID) has been quite an amazing adventure, and the musicians I hired to achieve this were delighted to be part of this mini-tribute. As we look at the state of the world today, the song is as close to a prophetic call as it could ever be, which it has been to me from the first time I heard it in my hippie years in 1978. The whole album is still a favorite. The lyrics, the music, the voices… A balm for the soul, a candle in the window in this night of the world…

Wishing you a solid healthy 84th circuit run around the sun, Chris!

Blessings to you and Cathy,

André Lefebvre
New Brunswick, Canada
July 12, 2025

P.S.
Found these from a while back… 🙂
https://www.magnacarta-music.com/2020/12/28/magna-carta-cartoons-by-ruben-van-aefst/

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Richard Sandy

Dear Chris, happy birthday Sir.

I have been a follower of Magna Carta and all it’s iterations since I was given the Live ’72 and Lord of The Ages albums in the early 1970s. My parents figured that if I was into Fairport, Magna could occupy the same space. Both groups have been in my musical dictionary ever since.

Thanks for the music you guys and girls gave me over the past 50 odd years. And while remembering with joy your birthday I will also doff my cap to those associated with MC who are no longer with us.

Many happy returns and I hope there are many more to come.
Kindest regards

Richard G Sandy, Lincolnshire

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Algy Kazlauciunas

Many Happy Returns Chris from one Nidderdale born person to another!
Looking forward to your birthday tribute at the Starling Bar Cafe this coming Wednesday.
Enjoy your day tomorrow, despite the heatwave!

Best wishes

Algy Kaz.

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Arthur Oudejans

Dear Chris Simpson, many congratulations with your 83rd birthday!
I hope this finds you well. Stay healthy and creative!
I’ve been enjoying your music since I heard your Airport song, about 30 years ago.
I’ve only been to one concert, but happily remembering your great music and the pleasant atmosphere you brought along.
Happy greeting Arthur from The Netherlands.
Hope you’ve been having a beautiful day!.

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Reinhard

Hi Chris, herzliche Glückwünsche und alles Gute!
Reinhard (MC fan from Germany)

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Phil Cooper

Thank goodness for C.D’s! As long as my hearing still works I will be able to listen your music for the remainder of my years.  I cherish the memories I have of you, your songs and your concerts. As my wife says rather lustily: “It’s such a shame that you couldn’t have stayed 35 ish” !!! I wish I had more DVD’s of your concerts but the eyesight is fading quicker than the hearing!!

Wishing you not only a Happy Birthday but MANY more of them and in good health. Many thanks for making my life more enjoyable. I would have liked to be able to send a recording of me singing “Happy Birthday to you” but there are those in my life, and yours,  who do not think it would be a good idea.

Wishing you a happy and healthy year or 20 ahead.

Phil Cooper, Devon, U.K.

Yes there’s always enough for a war
But there’s never enough for the poor

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Rachel Couban

More on Chris birthday to celebrate I’m going to reach out to my old friend Ken Britskey he used to play along with your records with his flute.
He loved it. He had the record on vinyl and then it came out on CD so I could enjoy it without Ken.
I’m so happy he introduced me your music.
Loved getting the CD autographed at the Ingersoll folk festival. Many happy returns of the day!
Your music was such an inspiration to me and all of your Canadian fans.

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David Edwards

Happy Birthday Chris from Dave Edwards, Burntwood, Staffs.
Thanks for the songs that will never be forgotten 👍🥃

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Fiona Gilbert

We are supporters of Magna Carta, and friends, having met Chris at around this time of year in 1985 when he was sat on a stool on his mum’s driveway, cleaning his acoustic guitar on a glorious and hot summer’s day, not unlike today,
We lived next door and following that inauspicious meeting, Chris, my husband, Simon, and I have had numerous great times together over the years, including going to MC gigs, parties, and potholing expeditions in the Dales. Many happy returns Chris! Fiona and Simon AKA “The G’s”.

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Malcolm Padgett

Dear Chris,

Have a wonderful day reflecting on how much joy you have brought to so many!
With best wishes,

Malcolm

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Martin Albronda

Herewith my congratulations for Chris Simpson for his 83th Birthday!

Best regards,
Martin Albronda, Didam, the Netherlands.

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Piet Kok

Hello Chris, the one and only Mr. Magna Carta,

How are you? I hope you are in good health and I wish you a very nice 83rd birthday!

Are you still playing and singing, maybe writing poetry and stories?

Greetings, Piet Kok aka Pete Cox.

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Fini en Ger van Velzen

Hello my dear friend. We both wish you a splendid birthday and a happy and healthy 83 trd. Hope you and Cathy are OK. Fini had a bit of a nasty time. Her health was not good and we finally went to a very good doctor in Toulouse, one of the best hospitals in France. The doctor told us there is nothing really wrong with her so we both continue our life without any worries. So we are both fine and still enjoying the good life in France but we still miss you!!!

Lots of love from Fini and Little G

🍷🍷💐💐❤️❤️🎅🏼🎅🏼

Fini en Ger van Velzen.

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Elaine Finne

Thank you for the music!
Only once heard Magna Carta in the 1960s but have played you technology so, so often.
Highway to Spain is the song I hold most dear.
You will be thought of more than you know.

Very sincerely,
Elaine Finne, Glasson Dock, Lancaster

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Raymond Rawlinson

A very happy birthday and many more to come from Ray Rawlinson currently in the USA but originally from Hertfordshire, England.
I first saw you perform in 1971 at Cranfield College of Aeronautics in Bedfordshire.

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Ina Griffiths

I have been an avid Magna Carta fan since a friend introduced me to your music back when I was still at college in South Africa.
I am now a grandmother living in the UK and still listen to your music often.
Thank you for all the pleasant hours of entertainment through decades!
Have a wonderful birthday!

Ina Griffiths

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Lia Wijzenbroek

Dear Chris,

We go way back
I haven’t seen you for quite some time now but you are on my mind
I listen to your music and cherish the memories
I wish you a very happy birthday surrounded by the people that are close to you
Give my love to Cath and cheers to you 😘🥂

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Peter Cross

Happy birthday, Chris, and may a healthy and happy year follow on!

Thank you for all the fine music you’ve made and shared with us over the decades.
Picking up on the best of folk and American rootsy traditions, you’ve created a veritable treasure trove of memories and recordings, with an outstanding and distinctive style of your very own.
I hope you can quietly bask in the satisfaction of just how much and for how long the ripples of enjoyment and appreciation have rippled around the world.

For many years I thought that Magna Carta had disappeared and then earlier this century they suddenly re-appeared on my radar.
It’s been great fun playing catch up, finding out more and seeing a few shows along the way – including one of numerous ‘last’ performances in Ripley five years ago.

In further celebration, your birthday will be another ‘Magna Carta day’ on my player,

With very best wishes,
Peter Cross
Stanley, County Durham
England

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Jorge & Fátima Pato

Happy Birthday Dear Chris:
Music is the “doping” that gave me the energy and happiness to appreciate life.
I guess I could not live without it.
Magna Carta has been, since I was a teenager, the “cherry on the top of the cake”, and having met you in person, watching your several live concerts, and listening to you mentioning my name on stage, when I attended your concert in Bilbao, in 2017, in a sold out venue, are memories I will keep forever in my heart.

We do love you not only as a superb musician, but also as a dear and great Man!

Love
Jorge Pato & Fátima

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John Herbert

Happy birthday Chis.
Have a great day.
Very best wishes from John.

John Herbert Sheffield

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Phil Gardner

Happy Birthday Chris and hope you have a great day – sending love and best wishes from a very sunny south coast Phil and Frances Eastbourne PS Your wonderful music is still part of our lives 55 years since we first saw you at Royal Holloway College Summer Ball.

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Bungalowpark Eekhoornnest

Happy Birthday you Legend!
Have a good one old friend.

Daniel de Jong,
Bungalowpark Eekhoornnest, Soest

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Helen Rowe

Wishing you a very Happy Birthday Chris.

Where have all those years gone?

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Gian Katchan

Dear Chris,

Happy birthday from Perth in Western Australia.
Thank you for all the wonderful music!
Gian Katchan

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Marc Detail

Hi Chris, all the best from Luxembourg and many more years to come!

Marc Detail
Beaufort

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Gary Sinclair

Please convey my best wishes to Chris,
Kind regards
Gary Sinclair

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Yvette

Happy 83rd to you.
Hope you are well and happy.
Remembering the concerts, gatherings and the visits in the Netherlands and the U.K.
The music will always last.
Keep rock’n rolling !

Love and hugs,
Yvette

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Anneke Reinke

Dear Chris
83!!!!
Congratulations

From Anneke and Ed, The Netherlands💋

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Walter Craanen

Chris,  Jongeuh!!
Van harte Gefeliciteerd!!!

From: Walter Craanen (Nederland/DenHaag/Veen)

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José Miranda

Happy birthday Chris.
I thank the lord of the ages, for the pleasure I have had in listening to your songs.
Have a great Sunday.

José Miranda – Setúbal – Portugal

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Bill Stanley

Happy birthday Chris.
Loved your music from 1971 when Magna Carta appeared on BBC 2 playing songs in a castle programme.
I  wrote to you asking about the music and you sent me a beautiful response which I still have  and all your album’s.
Very best wishes

Bill Stanley
East Kilbride,  Scotland

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Henny Barnhoorn

Dear CJ (aka ‘lovely Chris’ or ‘geriatric guitarplayer’),
83 already en still going strong!
Wish that we could be with you to celebrate your birthday.

We might say ‘long time no see’,  but in our memories you are still very present.
We will never forget the lovely times we had during the period that Matthijs was member of Magna Carta.
And therefore I send you a musical Happy Birthday in my stile.

Happy Birthday! 
Push on this link and you’ll get the meaning!!!!
Love you, old friend.
Lots of love and wishing you many healthy years,

Ina and Henny (aka ‘Fatty’ or ‘your most famous Dutch  piper’🍻
Borculo, NL
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Geoff Henderson

Happy birthday Chris thank you for the lovely music that’s taken me through my life
Blessings Geoff Henderson

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David Stodel

Happy 83rd birthday, Chris. All the best for your next year around the sun, in good health and accompanied by your wonderful music.
I still treasure each of our meetings and conversations at various venues around Cape Town over the years that you visited our shores.

”We don’t stop making music when we age – we age when we stop making music”!!
Keep on keeping on!

With love,
David Stodel
(Cape Town, South Africa)

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Walter Dieterle

Hi Chris,

it is a f… long time since we did tours in Germany but it was good times !!!!
All the best and as far as I remember Gin Tonic
Walter Dieterle

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