 The original sheet music of "Maryland, My Maryland" | |
Regional anthem of Maryland | |
| Lyrics | James Ryder Randall, 1861 |
|---|---|
| Music | Melchior Franck, 1615 |
| Adopted | April 29, 1939 |
| Relinquished | May 18, 2021 |
| Succeeded by | None |
| Audio sample | |
"Maryland, My Maryland" (instrumental) | |
"Maryland, My Maryland" was the state song of the U.S. state of Maryland from 1939 until 2021.[1] The song is set to the melody of "Lauriger Horatius"[2] — the same tune "O Tannenbaum" was taken from. The lyrics are from a nine-stanza poem written by James Ryder Randall (1839–1908) in 1861. The state's general assembly adopted "Maryland, My Maryland" as the state song on April 29, 1939.[3]
The song's words refer to Maryland's history and geography, specifically mentioning several historical figures of importance to the state. Written at the beginning of the Civil War, it was used across the Confederacy as a battle hymn.[4] It has been called America's "most martial poem".[5]
Due to its origin in reaction to the Baltimore riot of 1861 and Randall's support for the Confederate States, it includes lyrics that refer to President Abraham Lincoln as "the tyrant", "the despot", and "the Vandal", and to the Union as "Northern scum". It also mentions Virginia as an ally and includes that state's official motto "Sic semper tyrannis". The slogan was later shouted by Marylander John Wilkes Booth when he assassinated Lincoln.[6][7] After more than ten attempts to change the state song, over 40 years, on March 22, 2021, both houses of the General Assembly voted by substantial margins to abandon "Maryland, My Maryland" as the state song without a replacement. On May 18, 2021, Governor Larry Hogan signed the bill.[1][6]
- ^ a b "On bill-signing day, Hogan officially legalizes sports betting, repeals state song". WJLA-TV. Associated Press. May 18, 2021. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
- ^ Code of Maryland, State Government, Title 13, § 13-307.
- ^ Maryland State Archives (2004). Maryland State Song – "Maryland, My Maryland". Retrieved 27 Dec. 2004.
- ^ Catton, Bruce (1961). The Centennial History of the Civil War: The coming fury. Doubleday. p. 352. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
- ^ Herbermann, Charles George (1913). The Catholic Encyclopedia: An International Work of Reference on the Constitution, Doctrine, Discipline, and History of the Catholic Church. Universal Knowledge Foundation. p. 639. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
- ^ a b "Maryland state song, which refers to Lincoln as "tyrant" and urges secession, is repealed". CBS News. May 20, 2021. Retrieved May 26, 2021.
- ^ Booth, John Wilkes. "Diary Entry of John Wilkes Booth". Archived from the original on 2010-12-29. Retrieved 2015-11-06.