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Kansas State March

The Kansas March

music by Duff E. Middleton

Duff E. Middleton was the Director of Instrumental Music for the Wichita Schools from 1928 to 1947. During that time he earned a "nationwide reputation as a directory of bands and a teacher of instrumental music" according to the Wichita Morning Eagle. In addition to his work with school bands, he was Director of the American Legion Band.

Words were not published for "The Kansas March", but at some point Mr. Victor Murdock wrote the following words to be sung during a portion of the song.

    Blue sky above us, silken strands of heat
    Rim of the far horizon, where earth and heaven meet,
    Kansas as a temple, stands in velvet sod
    Shrine which the sunshine, sanctifies to God. 
    (repeat)

In 1953, Robert R. Jones re-arranged the music and wrote words for "The Kansas March". This arrangement was published as a musical piece titled "Cheers For Kansas". The music for "Cheers For Kansas" was attributed to Duff E. Middleton and the words were attributed to Robert R. Jones. The composition was copyrighted by Robert R. Jones. A copy of "Cheers For Kansas" was gifted to the Kansas State Historical Society on October 19, 1954.

Cheers For Kansas

words by Robert R. Jones and music by Duff E. Middlton

    Sing ad astra and per aspera
    to the stars thru' work and strife.
    (Oh yes, we mean it, Kan-sas)
    Tells us how a bleeding Kansas fought
    to preserve a way of life, Oh!
    Valiant Kansans vanquished ruffians,
    then Cor'nado's dream fulfilled,
    Not in the cities of Quivera,
    but in a fertile land well tilled.
    Yes, Kansas

    Our Kansas wheat fields, cross the rolling plain,
    Bright sunflow'rs, green pastures there,
    Part of our Jayhawk domain, (Oh! Yes we love it)
    Folks are guided by stars, both hands on the plow,
    Onward ever upward
    CHEERS FOR KANSAS now.

    Our Kansas wheat fields, cross the rolling plain,
    Bright sunflow'rs, green pastures there,
    Part of our Jayhawk domain, (Oh! Yes we love it)
    Folks are guided by stars, both hands on the plow,
    Onward ever upward
    CHEERS FOR KANSAS now.

Adoption of the State March

The march, "The Kansas March", composed by Duff E. Middleton, was adopted as an official state march of Kansas in 1935. A second composition, "Here's Kansas", was adopted as the second official march of Kansas in 1992.

Kansas Statutes

The following information is excerpted from the Kansas Statutes, Chapter 73, Section 73-801. The sheet music is included within the statute. Note that the wording establishing this official march reads, "...the official state march of Kansas" while the legislation establishing "Here's Kansas" reads "...an official march of Kansas."

CHAPTER 73. SOLDIERS, SAILORS AND PATRIOTIC EMBLEMS
ARTICLE 8. STATE MARCHES
SECTION 73-801. THE KANSAS MARCH

73-801. The Kansas March. The march "The Kansas March," composed by Duff E. Middleton, is hereby established as the official state march of Kansas. Said march is as follows:

    History:  L. 1935, ch. 262, § 1; May 15.

Source: Kansas Legislature, December 10, 2004
Source: The University of Kansas, Wheat Law Library, December 10, 2004
Source: Evelyn Alden, December 10, 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

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