Florida (song)
Encyclopedia
"Florida, Where the Sawgrass Meets the Sky" is the official anthem of the State of Florida
. Originally written as a replacement for the state song, it was instead designated as the state's official anthem in 2008, alongside the previously designated state song, "Old Folks at Home
" by Stephen Foster
, often popularly known as "Swanee River".
signed a bill which designated "Florida, My Florida" as the state song. "Florida, My Florida" was sung to the tune of the German Christmas song "O Tannenbaum
", whose tune was also used for the official state songs of Maryland ("Maryland, My Maryland
") and Iowa ("The Song of Iowa"), and for the unofficial state song of Michigan ("Michigan, My Michigan
"). In 1935, a resolution changed the state song to "Swannee River" [sic].
"Old Folks at Home", written by Stephen Foster
, has lyrics which are widely considered to be racist, with lines such as "longing for de old plantation" and "Oh! darkies how my heart grows weary"; The state Department of Education had altered the lyrics in the 1970s for performance in schools, but the official lyrics still contained the racially unacceptable verbiage. In 1983, then-governor Bob Graham
suggested adding another, more upbeat state song. In 1997, state Representative Willie Logan
introduced a bill to change the song, citing the offensive nature of the lyrics; the bill was strongly opposed by lawmakers who represented the Suwanee River region, and ultimately was withdrawn by Logan.
refused to allow "Old Folks at Home" to be played at his gubernatorial inauguration, opting for a less controversial and more contemporary piece. He encouraged state Senator Tony Hill
, who was the leader of the legislature's Black Caucus, to find a new song. Hill joined forces with state Representative Ed Homan
and the Florida Music Educators Association
to sponsor a contest for a new state song.
Jan Hinton, received more than half of all of the votes cast. Ironically, neither Foster nor Hinton were Florida natives, but Hinton lived in Florida while Foster never visited the state whose official song he wrote. Hinton had emigrated to Florida a dozen years before she wrote "Florida (Where the Sawgrass Meets the Sky). Senator Hill introduced SB 1558, which would designate Hinton's contribution as the new state song.
suggested a compromise, in which "Florida (Where the Sawgrass Meets the Sky)" was designated as the State Anthem, and a Bowdlerized version of "Old Folks at Home" remained as the state song. The new lyrics of "Old Folks at Home" were approved by scholars at the Stephen Foster Memorial
at the University of Pittsburgh
. Governor Crist stated that he was not pleased by the "two songs" decision, but signed the bill, creating a new state anthem and establishing the reworded version of "Old Folks at Home" as the State Song under state statute, rather than by resolution, like the 1935 decision.
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
. Originally written as a replacement for the state song, it was instead designated as the state's official anthem in 2008, alongside the previously designated state song, "Old Folks at Home
Old Folks at Home
"Old Folks at Home" is a minstrel song written by Stephen Foster in 1851. It was intended to be performed by the New York blackface troupe Christy's Minstrels. E. P. Christy, the troupe's leader, appears on early printings of the sheet music as the song's creator...
" by Stephen Foster
Stephen Foster
Stephen Collins Foster , known as the "father of American music", was the pre-eminent songwriter in the United States of the 19th century...
, often popularly known as "Swanee River".
Background
Florida, which became a U.S. state in 1845, did not have a state song until 1913. On May 12, 1913, Governor Park TrammellPark Trammell
Park Monroe Trammell , an American politician of the Democratic Party, was the 21st Governor of Florida and represented Florida in the United States Senate from 1917 until 1936....
signed a bill which designated "Florida, My Florida" as the state song. "Florida, My Florida" was sung to the tune of the German Christmas song "O Tannenbaum
O Tannenbaum
"O Tannenbaum", or, in its English version, "O Christmas Tree", is a Christmas carol of German origin.A Tannenbaum is a fir tree or Christmas tree...
", whose tune was also used for the official state songs of Maryland ("Maryland, My Maryland
Maryland, My Maryland
"Maryland, My Maryland" is the official state song of the U.S. state of Maryland. The song is set to the tune of "Lauriger Horatius" and the lyrics are from a nine-stanza poem written by James Ryder Randall...
") and Iowa ("The Song of Iowa"), and for the unofficial state song of Michigan ("Michigan, My Michigan
Michigan, My Michigan
"Michigan, My Michigan" is a very popular anthem in the State of Michigan, but it is not an official state song. The only official anthem, a song called "My Michigan", was formally adopted in 1937 – which humourists might say was probably the only time it was ever sung, because everyone thinks the...
"). In 1935, a resolution changed the state song to "Swannee River" [sic].
"Old Folks at Home", written by Stephen Foster
Stephen Foster
Stephen Collins Foster , known as the "father of American music", was the pre-eminent songwriter in the United States of the 19th century...
, has lyrics which are widely considered to be racist, with lines such as "longing for de old plantation" and "Oh! darkies how my heart grows weary"; The state Department of Education had altered the lyrics in the 1970s for performance in schools, but the official lyrics still contained the racially unacceptable verbiage. In 1983, then-governor Bob Graham
Bob Graham
Daniel Robert "Bob" Graham is an American politician. He was the 38th Governor of Florida from 1979 to 1987 and a United States Senator from that state from 1987 to 2005...
suggested adding another, more upbeat state song. In 1997, state Representative Willie Logan
Willie Logan
Willie Logan is an American politician from the U.S. state of Florida. A former member of the Florida House of Representatives, he campaigned for the United States Senate as an Independent in 2000.-Biography:...
introduced a bill to change the song, citing the offensive nature of the lyrics; the bill was strongly opposed by lawmakers who represented the Suwanee River region, and ultimately was withdrawn by Logan.
New song sought
In 2007, Charlie CristCharlie Crist
Charles Joseph "Charlie" Crist, Jr. is an American politician who was the 44th Governor of Florida. Prior to his election as governor, Crist previously served as Florida State Senator, Education Commissioner, and Attorney General...
refused to allow "Old Folks at Home" to be played at his gubernatorial inauguration, opting for a less controversial and more contemporary piece. He encouraged state Senator Tony Hill
Anthony C. Hill
Anthony C. Hill born September 9, 1957 is a Democratic member of the Florida Senate, representing the 1st DistrictHis district encompasses portions of Duval, St. Johns, Flagler, Putman and Volusia Counties...
, who was the leader of the legislature's Black Caucus, to find a new song. Hill joined forces with state Representative Ed Homan
Ed Homan
Ed Homan is a Florida physician and Republican politician who serves as the District 60 Representative in the House of Representatives of the U.S. state of Florida. He is married to Carol Hodges and has three children, David, John, and Mark...
and the Florida Music Educators Association
Florida Music Educators Association
The Florida Music Educators Association, or FMEA, is the Florida state-level affiliate of MENC: The National Association for Music Education. FMEA is a not-for-profit, professional association that serves and supports music educators across Florida...
to sponsor a contest for a new state song.
Selection of new song
The contest received 243 submissions. After narrowing the field down to three finalists, the nominees were voted upon by the general public at a site set up specifically for the contest. "Florida (Where the Sawgrass Meets the Sky)", composed by BritonBritish people
The British are citizens of the United Kingdom, of the Isle of Man, any of the Channel Islands, or of any of the British overseas territories, and their descendants...
Jan Hinton, received more than half of all of the votes cast. Ironically, neither Foster nor Hinton were Florida natives, but Hinton lived in Florida while Foster never visited the state whose official song he wrote. Hinton had emigrated to Florida a dozen years before she wrote "Florida (Where the Sawgrass Meets the Sky). Senator Hill introduced SB 1558, which would designate Hinton's contribution as the new state song.
Debate and compromise
However, similar to the response in 1997, the bill met opposition from northern Florida historians who felt that the new song denied Florida's heritage. Senator Nancy Argenziano stated "A lot of people have expressed to me they don’t agree with the old lyrics which we don’t use anymore. But Suwannee River is a big part of Florida. While the old lyrics are very objectionable, they haven’t been used. I’m trying to listen to my constituents and they really believe you shouldn’t change that song. So I have a hard time with that one." Senator Jim KingJames E. King
James E. "Jim" King was an American businessman and politician. A Republican, he was a member of Florida House of Representatives from 1986 through 1999, and subsequently represented the 8th District of the Florida Senate from 1999 until his death...
suggested a compromise, in which "Florida (Where the Sawgrass Meets the Sky)" was designated as the State Anthem, and a Bowdlerized version of "Old Folks at Home" remained as the state song. The new lyrics of "Old Folks at Home" were approved by scholars at the Stephen Foster Memorial
Stephen Foster Memorial
The Stephen Collins Foster Memorial is a performing arts center, museum and archive at the University of Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA....
at the University of Pittsburgh
University of Pittsburgh
The University of Pittsburgh, commonly referred to as Pitt, is a state-related research university located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded as Pittsburgh Academy in 1787 on what was then the American frontier, Pitt is one of the oldest continuously chartered institutions of...
. Governor Crist stated that he was not pleased by the "two songs" decision, but signed the bill, creating a new state anthem and establishing the reworded version of "Old Folks at Home" as the State Song under state statute, rather than by resolution, like the 1935 decision.
External links
- Text of SB 1558, as passed, from the State Archives and Library of Florida
- Submission of Where the Sawgrass Meets the Sky, from The St. Petersburg Times