Saturday, March 05, 2005
State Songs
I wonder why the state of Iowa never adopted Meredith Willson's
splendid anthem as its official state song? Willson obviously wrote it for that
purpose, though he was also trying to stop people from saying "Ioway".
There's a short introduction or recitative at the start, serving Willson's
pronunciational polemical purpose, but after that it's sheer perfection.
Here it is, as sung by Fibber's musical group:
http://ockhamsbungalow.com/Music/iowa.mp3
If you can hear that without wanting to rush out and buy a ticket for Des Moines,
you're a tougher soul than I am.
Oklahoma has done well with Rodgers & Hammerstein's lively number. It's not
solo-singable, but high school choruses have great fun with it, and it's universally
recognizable. AFAIK, the only other state that has a decent song is Ohio, with
some variant of Beautiful Dreamer. The rest are all clunky old schoolroom pieces
with 43 verses, written by clunky old schoolmarms with three names.
[Disclaimer: Iowa is technically my home state. I was born in Waterloo,
but parents moved to Okla shortly thereafter, so I have no actual memories
or connections to Iowa.] ¶ 9:43 AM
splendid anthem as its official state song? Willson obviously wrote it for that
purpose, though he was also trying to stop people from saying "Ioway".
There's a short introduction or recitative at the start, serving Willson's
pronunciational polemical purpose, but after that it's sheer perfection.
Here it is, as sung by Fibber's musical group:
http://ockhamsbungalow.com/Music/iowa.mp3
If you can hear that without wanting to rush out and buy a ticket for Des Moines,
you're a tougher soul than I am.
Oklahoma has done well with Rodgers & Hammerstein's lively number. It's not
solo-singable, but high school choruses have great fun with it, and it's universally
recognizable. AFAIK, the only other state that has a decent song is Ohio, with
some variant of Beautiful Dreamer. The rest are all clunky old schoolroom pieces
with 43 verses, written by clunky old schoolmarms with three names.
[Disclaimer: Iowa is technically my home state. I was born in Waterloo,
but parents moved to Okla shortly thereafter, so I have no actual memories
or connections to Iowa.] ¶ 9:43 AM
