Virginia Searches for New State Song After 18 Years Without One

Virginia residents, what song would you like to represent your state?

Radio Journalist Robert Siegel spoke with James Robertson, a professor emeritus of history at Virginia Tech, who has a campaign for a new state song.

“Carry Me Back To Old Virginny” by Louis Armstrong became Virginia’s state song in 1940 and was retired in 1997.

“It was written by an African American in 1857, but it was written in Negro dialect, which was offensive to many people, understandably,” Robertson said during the segment.

In 2006 a song was brought to the forefront as a contender for Virginia’s next tune. Now the idea is back as an option.

“’Shenandoah’” is one of the most beautiful, beloved melodies we have, and it makes one think instinctively of Virginia. I don’t know any other melody that does that,” Robertson said.

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While the song may have a nice message, it only refers to Missouri. However, Robertson found Mike Greenly, a lyricist from New York, to rewrite the song to include something about the state.

Part of the chorus would go, “I fill with pride at all you give us. Rolling hills, majestic mountains. From the Shenandoah to the Atlantic, rivers wide and far as tall. All in one Virginia.”

According to Robertson there’s a lot of legislative support for the song, so there’s a chance that it may be on the horizon for Virginia.

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