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The Oregon State Song

Oregon, My Oregon

words by J. A. Buchanan and music by Henry B. Murtagh

    Land of the Empire Builders,
    Land of the Golden West;
    Conquered and held by free men,
    Fairest and the best.
    Onward and upward ever,
    Forward and on, and on;
    Hail to thee, Land of Heroes,
    My Oregon.

    Land of the rose and sunshine,
    Land of the summer's breeze;
    Laden with health and vigor,
    Fresh from the Western seas.
    Blest by the blood of martyrs,
    Land of the setting sun;
    Hail to thee, Land of Promise,
    My Oregon.

About the State Song

John Andrew Buchanan (1863-1935) was from Astoria, Oregon and Henry B. Murtagh was from Portland, Oregon. Together, in 1920, they wrote the song "Oregon, My Oregon". Mr. Buchanan wrote the words and Mr. Murtagh wrote the music. The song was published in 1920 by the Oregon Eilers Music House in Portland. The copyright owner was Henry B. Murtagh.

Buchanan and Murtagh won a statewide competition, sponsored by the Society of Oregon Composers, with their song "Oregon, My Oregon" and in 1927, the song was adopted as the official state song of Oregon.

Senate Joint Resolution

On February 12, 1927, Senate Joint Resolution No. 2 declared "Oregon, My Oregon" the state song of Oregon. The resolution reads:

WHEREAS, the State of Oregon has never adopted a state song; and

WHEREAS, many civic and patriotic bodies have recommended "Oregon, My Oregon," words by J. A. Buchanon [Buchanan] and music by Henry B. Murtagh, be adopted as the State song of Oregon; and

WHEREAS, it is eminently proper that a State song should be adopted; therefore,

Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Oregon, the House of Representatives jointly concurring: That a song entitled "Oregon, My Oregon," words by J. A. Buchanon [Buchanan] and music by Henry B. Murtagh, be the same hereby is accepted and adopted as the State song of the State of Oregon.

Source: Oregon State Web Site, (http://www.state.or.us), December 4, 2004
Source: State Names, Seals, Flags, and Symbols by Benjamin F. Shearer and Barbara S. Shearer, Copyright 2002
Source: State Songs America, Edited by M.J. Bristow, Copyright 2000
Source: State Names, Flags, Seals, Songs, Birds, Flowers, and Other Symbols by George Earlie Shankle, Ph.D., Copyright 1938

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