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Florida State Song

Old Folks at Home Adopted: June 30, 2008

Meet the new song, same as the old song

Florida State Song: Old Folks at Home
Photographs and prints

On June 30, 2008, Governor Charlie Crist reluctantly signed Senate Bill No. 1558 (SB1558) designating "Florida (Where the Sawgrass Meets the Sky), Florida's official state anthem and "Old Folks at Home" Florida's official state song. Referring to "S'wanee River (Old Folks at Home),"

"I didn't have it played at my inauguration for a reason," Crist said this week, disappointed with the compromise reached by lawmakers to update the song and add an anthem. Crist said the agreement made the state look "confused."

(Kallestad ""Swanee River" Will Remain State Song")

Senate Bill No. 1558 was the culmination of years of effort to topple and replace Florida's official state song, "S'wanee River (Old Folks at Home)" but jubilation was not the current mood. Senate Bill No. 1558 ended up being an exercise in compromise.

Almost from the beginning in 1935 when it was designated Florida's official state song, "S'wanee River (Old Folks at Home)" was headed for trouble.

It referred to black African-Americans as darkies.
It was written by a white man in a cartoonish black dialect.
It fondly recalled life on "de old plantation."

Though the general melody, rhythm and longing for a more idyllic place and time made it a very popular song, the overt racism of its lyrics would be its downfall.

Over the years, alternative songs had been suggested and in 1997 House Bill No. 1069 proposed the formation of a song selection committee that would sponsor and oversee a contest for a new state song. Initially, the legislation proposed replacing "S'wanee River (Old Folks at Home)" with the winner of the contest, but this stipulation was later watered down:

"In order to preserve elements of Florida's heritage, each prior official state song will be given the title: "Historical State Song". The new song must be designated as "Modern Day State Song". Both these designations must be included in any official state publication."

("HB 1069 - State Song Commission")

House Bill No. 1069 did not pass into law.

In 2007, proponents of a change again pinned their hopes on a state song contest, "Just Sing, Florida!", a contest sponsored by the Florida Music Educators Association, with the support of Florida State Senator Tony Hill, Governor Charlie Crist, and others. The contest was established for the purpose of finding a song to replace "S'wanee River (Old Folks at Home)" as Florida's state song.

But real concern developed about the methodology used to select the contest winner. There were complaints about the lack of public participation in the process and, indeed, only three of the 243 song offerings were actually offered to public opinion. Those three offerings had been selected by the members of the Florida Music Educator's Association.

"Florida's Song," performed at the inauguration ceremony of Governor Charlie Crist, was thought to be a viable candidate but, surprisingly, did not make the Committee's final cut.

On January 7, three days before the "Just Sing, Florida!" contest ended, TransMedia Group, representing a committee, "Hold the Florida State Song Vote," issued a press release urging an end to the "Just Sing, Florida!" voting and urging the Legislature to designate Florida's Welcome Song, "Florida," by Lawrence Hurwit and Israel Abrams, the official song of the State of Florida.

Newly Formed Committee Seeks to Include Florida's Official Welcome Song, Florida' as Official State Song

MIAMI, Jan. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- A newly formed committee, 'Hold the Florida State Song Vote', has retained TransMedia Group to publicize their campaign to stop the vote seeking to replace The Swanee River with a new state song and name Florida, Florida's current Welcome Song, as the official state song. Florida, written by Lawrence Hurwit and Israel Abrams, was named the official state welcome song in 1985.

"Florida is a catchy song that evokes light-heartedness and fun – all things associated with the Snshine State. Florida was written after Governor of Florida Bob Graham requested that Hurwit create an official song and the Florida House of Representatives voted in the song. It only makes sense to name the official state song as one already deemed important by our government," said Tom Madden, Founder and CEO of TransMedia Group.

With Hurwit's successful background in composing and orchestrating music, Governor Graham asked Hurwit to use Florida as an inspiration for a song.

"Being a tourist turned long-time resident of Florida, I tapped into my experiences to write this ballad. After all, Florida welcomes people around the world to come and bask in sun with us," said Lawrence Hurwit.

The voting for the song ends on January 10th and Florida is not among the finalists chosen. The committee to 'Hold the Florida State Song Vote' urges Florida residents to visit www.floridawelcomesong.com. Committee member Susan Cutaia says, "We already have an official song and it's been ignored in this competition. All we want is for everyone to hear Florida and then decide for themselves if it's worthy to be considered a finalist." The winner will be decided by popular vote at www.justsingflorida.org.

Also on January 7, State Representative Dave Murzin filed House Bill No. 463 nominating "Oh Florida, My Sweet Home," by Graham W. Fountain and Warren L. Halstrom, as Florida's official state anthem! Rep. Murzin said that many of his constituents preferred to keep the current state song and didn't like any of the three candidates proposed by the Florida Music Educator's Association.

The winner of the "Just Sing, Florida!" contest was announced at noon on January 11, 2008. Receiving more than half of the 8,020 votes cast, "Florida (Where the Sawgrass Meets the Sky)," by Jan Hinton, seemed an overwhelming favorite.

Senator Tony Hill and Representative Ed Homan crafted legislation to declare the winner of the ""Just Sing, Florida!"!" contest the official state song of Florida, replacing "The S'wanee River (Old Folks at Home)."

"Florida (Where the Sawgrass Meets the Sky)" was poised to become Florida's new state song until, that is, things got complicated. There was still plenty of support for "S'wanee River (Old Folks at Home)" in the Florida State Legislature; enough to make it a rocky ride for a new state song.

Senate Bill No. 1558 was crafted to declare the winner of the "Just Sing, Florida!" contest Florida's new state song. A companion bill, House Bill No. 825 (HB825) was prepared for introduction in the Florida House of Representatives.

Florida Senate - 2008 SB 1558
By Senator Hill

1-03299-08 20081558__
A bill to be entitled

An act relating to official state designations; creating s. 15.0326, F.S.; designating the song "Where the Sawgrass Meets the Sky" as the official state song; providing an effective date.

Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:

Section 1. Section 15.0326, Florida Statutes, is created to read:

15.0326 State song.--The song "Where the Sawgrass Meets the Sky," music and lyrics written by Jan Hinton, is designated as the official song of the State of Florida.

Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2008.

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.

SB1558 was filed in the Senate on February 5, 2008. HB825 was filed in the House on the same day.

On March 13, 2008, HB825 was unexpectedly reported favorably out of the House Committee on Tourism and Trade with a 6-0 vote.

On the same day SB1558 was reported favorably out of the Senate Committee on Governmental Operations, barely. The vote was 3-2.

One Senator, objecting to replacing the state song with a new one, said that the current song was especially important to those who live in districts where the Suwannee River flowed. Another claimed that the new song was too difficult for children to sing.

"This is history," said Sen. Stephen Oelrich, R-Gainesville, whose district is surrounded by the Suwannee. "I'm not in favor of changing the song. Nor are my constituents."

Oelrich's chief of staff, Michael Preston, said the senator has received "hundreds of calls from people saying 'Don't change the song.' We haven't had any calls in support of changing it. People have a sense of heritage with the song. They grew up around the Suwannee."

(Colavecchio "Rural Florida legislators balk at replacing state song")

In the Senate Committee on Government Operations, Senator King voted reluctantly in favor of SB1558, allowing it to proceed to the Committee on Transportation and Economic Development Appropriations. He warned, however, that he was not likely to vote in favor of it again.

Senator King's warning likely meant trouble for SB1558. King was the chairman of the Senate Committee on Rules and the bill would have to pass out of that committee before it was allowed a full vote of the Senate.

"Tony Hill has fought the good fight on this," King said. "But I would be surprised at this point if we don't end up passing the old song with new words, at least in the Senate."

(Colavecchio "Rural Florida legislators balk at replacing state song")

This explained King's first affirmative vote.

Senate Bill No. 1558 was re-written designating "Florida (Where the Sawgrass Meets the Sky)" the official state anthem instead of the official state song. "The S'wanee River (Old Folks at Home)," re-titled "Old Folks at Home" and with a new set of lyrics would be Florida's official state song.

ENROLLED SB 1558, 1st Engrossed
2008 Legislature 20081558er

An act relating to official state designations; creating s. 15.0326, F.S.; designating the song "Florida, Where the Sawgrass Meets the Sky" as the official state anthem; creating s. 15.0327, F.S.; designating the song "Old Folks at Home," revised lyrics, as adopted by the Center for American Music, Stephen Foster Memorial, at the University of Pittsburgh, as the official state song; providing an effective date.

Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:

Section 1. Section 15.0326, Florida Statutes, is created to read:

15.0326 State anthem.--The song "Florida, Where the Sawgrass Meets the Sky," music and lyrics written by Jan Hinton, is designated as the official anthem of the State of Florida.

Section 2. Section 15.0327, Florida Statutes, is created to read:

15.0327 State song.--The song "Old Folks at Home," revised lyrics, as adopted by the Center for American Music, Stephen Foster Memorial, at the University of Pittsburgh, is designated as the official song of the State of Florida.

Section 3. This act shall take effect July 1, 2008.

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.

The modified Senate Bill No. 1558 won approval in the Senate and the House of Representatives and was forwarded to Governor Charlie Crist.

The modified and the original lyrics are listed below. The modified lyrics are shown in the first column and the original lyrics are listed in the second column.

Old Folks at Home

original words and music by Stephen C. Foster (1826-1864); revised lyrics as adopted by the Center for American Music, Stephen Foster Memorial, at the University of Pittsburgh.

Revised words					Original words
Way down upon the Suwannee River, 		Way down upon de Swanee Ribber,
Far, far away,					Far, far away,
There's where my heart is turning ever,		Dere's wha my heart is turning ebber,
There's where the old folks stay. 		Dere's wha de old folks stay.
All up and down the whole creation, 		All up and down de whole creation
Sadly I roam,					Sadly I roam,
Still longing for my childhood station,		Still longing for de old plantation,
And for the old folks at home. 			And for de old folks at home.

CHORUS						CHORUS
All the world is sad and dreary			All de world am sad and dreary,
Everywhere I roam.				Eb-rywhere I roam;
O dear ones, how my heart grows weary,		Oh, darkeys, *how my heart grows weary,
Far from the old folks at home.			Far from de old folks at home!

SECOND VERSE					SECOND VERSE
All ‘round the little farm I wander'd,		All round de little farm I wandered
When I was young,				When I was young,
Then many happy days I squander'd,		Den many happy days I squandered,
Many the songs I sung.				Many de songs I sung.
When I was playing with my brother,		When I was playing wid my brudder
Happy was I;					Happy was I;
Oh, take me to my kind old mother,		Oh, take me to my kind old mudder!
There let me live and die.			Dere let me live and die.

THIRD VERSE					THIRD VERSE
One little hut among the bushes,		One little hut among de bushes,
One that I love.				One dat I love
Still sadly to my memory rushes,		Still sadly to my memory rushes,
No matter where I rove.				No matter where I rove.
When will I see the bees a humming,		When will I see de bees a-humming
All ‘round the comb?				All round de comb?
When shall I hear the banjo strumming,		When will I hear de banjo strumming,
Down in my good old home.			Down in my good old home.

Florida's first state song, "Florida, My Florida" (superceded 1935)
Florida's second state song, "S'wanee River (Old Folks at Home)" (superceded 2008))
Florida's state anthem, Florida (Where the Sawgrass Meets the Sky)
All Florida state songs

Florida Law

The following information was excerpted from the STATUTES, Title 99, Chapter 99, Section 99.

Title IV EXECUTIVE BRANCH
Chapter 15 - SECRETARY OF STATE
15.0327 State song.

15.0327 State song. —The song “Old Folks at Home,” revised lyrics, as adopted by the Center for American Music, Stephen Foster Memorial, at the University of Pittsburgh, is designated as the official song of the State of Florida.

History. —s. 2, ch. 2008-233.

Sources...

"HB 1069 - State Song Commission." Florida House of Representatives. State of Florida, 4 Mar. 1997. Web. 22 Mar. 2014.

Colavecchio, Shannon, and Van Sickler. "Compromise to Give Florida State Song and Anthem." The Tampa Bay Times. The Tampa Bay Times, 10 Apr. 2008. Web. 22 Mar. 2014.

Colavecchio, Shannon, and Van Sickler. "Rural Florida Legislators Balk at Replacing State Song." The Tampa Bay Times. The Tampa Bay Times, 1 Apr. 2008. Web. 22 Mar. 2014.

Cotterell, Bill. "Lawmaker Proposes State 'anthem' Option." Florida Today. Gannett Co., Inc., 7 Jan. 2008. Web. 22 Mar. 2014.

"Florida Statutes". The Florida Legislature, <http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?Mode=View%20Statutes&Submenu=1&Tab=statutes>, January 28, 2009.

Kallestad, Brent. "“Swanee River” Will Remain State Song." South Florida Times. Beatty Media, LLC., 25 Apr. 2008. Web. 24 Mar. 2014.

"Lawmakers Launch Contest to Pick New State Song." WJHG News Channel 7. Gray Television, Inc., 27 Mar. 2007. Web. 22 Mar. 2014.

"Residents React to State Song Compromise." WCTV-TV. Gray Television, Inc., 22 Apr. 2008. Web. 22 Mar. 2014.

"Senate 1558: Relating to Official State Anthem and Official State Song." Florida Senate Website Archive. State of Florida, 30 June 2008. Web. 18 Mar. 2014.

"'Swanee River' Will Remain State Song." South Florida Times Beatty Media, LLC., 25 Apr. 2008. Web. 22 Mar. 2014.

Shearer, Benjamin F. and Barbara S. State Names, Seals, Flags and Symbols: A Historical Guide Third Edition, Revised and Expanded. Westport, Conn: Greenwood Press, 3 Sub edition, 2001.

Additional Information

State songs: Complete list of official state songs from NETSTATE.COM

More symbols & emblems: Complete list of official Florida state symbols from NETSTATE.COM.

State Songs
of America
Michael J. Bristow

State Songs of America, by Michael J. Bristow. 185 pages. Publisher: Greenwood (February 28, 2000)

State Songs of America provides the music and lyrics for the official songs adopted by the state governments. Arranged alphabetically by state, each song has a single vocal line over a piano accompaniment, with one verse only under the vocal line and remaining verses appearing separately. Each entry includes the date the song was adopted, the name of the composer, and in some instances, a brief history of the song. The book will be a useful reference for those wanting to perform a state song or to find the official songs of other states. Keep in mind that this book was published in 2000 and does not contain later adoptions.

State Songs:
Anthems and Their Origins
John Hladczuk
Sharon Schneider Hladczuk

State Songs: Anthems and Their Origins, by John Hladczuk, Sharon Schneider Hladczuk. 240 pages. Publisher: Scarecrow Press (September 26, 2000)

State Songs: Anthems and Their Origins is a tremendous resource, from which readers will gain insight into the heritage of American statehood. Histories of these songs, biographical information about the composers and lyricists, and background on each song's entrance into status as "official" make this source the most comprehensive in existence. The entries include sheet music, allowing readers to reproduce for themselves the tunes that have proved so important in the history of the Union. Music teachers, history teachers, librarians, and anyone else interested in learning more about the United States will not want to be without State Songs. Organized alphabetically by state. Keep in mind that this book was published in 2000 and does not contain later adoptions.