By Rosalind S. Helderman
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, March 1, 2009
(To the tune of "My Maryland," also known as the tune to "O Christmas Tree.")
Comes now debate of the state song
Maryland! My Maryland!
Seven years since it last came along
Maryland! My Maryland!
To some the song is out of date
It speaks of Lincoln's threat to state
And so they want to change its fate
Maryland! My Maryland!
Since '39, we've sung this ditty
Maryland! My Maryland!
On the Union it calls for no pity
Maryland! My Maryland!
Penned by a man with sympathy
For the cause of Confed'racy
A call to arms 'twas meant to be
Maryland! My Maryland!
A Sen. and Del. now offer change
Maryland! My Maryland!
To lyrics in 1894 arranged
Maryland! My Maryland!
John White of Fred'rick County wrote
A poem that sticks less in the throat
Of how on liberty we dote
Maryland! My Maryland!
Sen. Jennie Forehand remembers
Maryland! My Maryland!
A conference where the song drew laughter
Maryland! My Maryland!
She's pushing for the lyrics switch
She says it's time for the song to ditch
To colleagues soon her bill she'll pitch
Maryland! My Maryland!
Del. Pam Beidle heard from fourth-graders
Maryland! My Maryland!
Who can inspire legislators
Maryland! My Maryland!
The lyrics to Beidle they sent
She read them and, surprised, she went:
"Would Maryland be proud of singing this song to the pres'dent?"
Maryland! My Maryland!
But every story has two sides
Maryland! My Maryland!
Some say it proves the state's bona fides
Maryland! My Maryland!
Senate prez and speaker, too
Think history must get its due
They stay to the song ever true
Maryland! My Maryland!
State songs are a tricky lot
Maryland! My Maryland!
Just ask Virginia, in a spot
Maryland! My Maryland!
"Carry Me Back" is long retired
But they have not replaced the fired
So the state's songless, uninspired
Maryland! My Maryland!
Check back for the fate of the tune
Maryland! My Maryland!
The bills are bound for hearings soon
Maryland! My Maryland!
It's sure to be a test of will
With both sides arguing their fill
O'er what words to put to the trill -- of
Maryland! My Maryland!
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