State Songs |
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Iowa |
1. You asked what land I love the best, Iowa, tis Iowa,
The fairest State of all the west, Iowa, O! Iowa,
From yonder Misissippi's stream
To where Missouri's waters gleam
O! fair it is as poet's dream, Iowa, in Iowa.
2. See yonders fields of tasseled corn, Iowa in Iowa,
Where plenty fills her golden horn, Iowa in Iowa,
See how her wonderous praries shine.
To yonder sunset’s purpling line,
O! happy land, O! land of mine, Iowa, O! Iowa.
3. And she has maids whose laughing eyes, Iowa, O! Iowa.
To him whose loves were Paradise, Iowa, O! Iowa
O! happiest fate that e’er was known.
Such eyes to shine for one alone,
To call such beauty all his own. Iowa, O! Iowa
4. Go read the story of thy past. Iowa, O! Iowa
What glorious deeds, what fame thou hast! Iowa, O! Iowa
So long as time’s great cycle runs,
Or nations weep their fallen ones,
Thou’lt not forget thy patriot sons, Iowa, O! Iowa
Written by S.H.M. Byers
To the music of O Tannenbaum
Minnesota |
1. Minnesota, hail to thee!
Hail to thee our state so dear!
Thy light shall ever be
A beacon bright and clear.
Thy sons and daughters true
Will proclaim thee near and far.
They shall guard thy fame
And adore thy name;
Thou shalt be their Northern Star.
2.Like the stream that bends to sea,
Like the pine that seeks the blue,
Minnesota, still for thee,
Thy sons are strong and true.
From thy woods and waters fair,
From thy prairies waving far,
At thy call they throng,
With their shout and song,
Hailing thee their Northern Star.
Music: Truman E. Rickard, 1904
Words: Truman E. Rickard and Arthur E. Upson, 1905
Through the 1920s there was much discussion in the state about adopting a state song but no agreement on the choice of song was reached. In 1945, a group of prominent Minnesotans suggested that "Hail! Minnesota" be considered for the official song of the state. The university gave permission to the state to use the song and so did Mr. Rickard (Mr. Upson had died). The phrase in the second line of the song, "Hail to thee our college dear!", was changed to "Hail to thee our state so dear!".
The song, "Hail! Minnesota" first verse and music by Truman Rickard and second verse by Arthur Upson was adopted by the Minnesota Legislature as the official song of Minnesota on April 19, 1945 by Joint Resolution.
Ohio |
I sailed away;
Wandered afar;
Crossed the mighty restless sea;
Looked for where I ought to be.
Cities so grand, mountains above,
Led to this land I love.
Chorus:
Beautiful Ohio, where the golden grain
Dwarf the lovely flowers in the summer rain.
Cities rising high, silhouette the sky.
Freedom is supreme in this majestic land;
Mighty factories seem to hum in tune, so grand.
Beautiful Ohio, thy wonders are in view,
Land where my dreams all come true!
The first lyrics were written by Ballard MacDonald and the music by Robert A. "Bobo" King, who used the name Mary
Earl. A bill passed by the Ohio General Assembly in 1969 made it the state's official song and in 1989 adopted an amendment to section 5.09 of the Ohio Revised Code which changed the original words to a new set, written by Wilbert
McBride in 1989.
Though "Beautiful Ohio" was originally written as a waltz, the most common version of the song today is a march arranged by Richard Heine.
Wisconsin |
On, Wisconsin! On, Wisconsin!
Grand old badger state!
We, thy loyal sons and daughters,
Hail thee good and great.
On, Wisconsin! On, Wisconsin!
Champion of the right,
"Forward!", our motto -
God will give thee might!
"On, Wisconsin!" was also the cry that Arthur MacArthur, Jr. used in the Battle of Chattanooga at Missionary Ridge, in the Civil War.
Music: William T. Purdy, 1909
Words: Charles D. Rosa and J. S. Hubbard, 1913
The song was widely recognized as the state song at that time, but was never officially designated.
Finally in 1959, "On, Wisconsin!" was codified in Chapter 170, Laws of 1959, and is incorporated in Section 1.10 of the statutes.