MD the Song

And yet another state song is coming under fire.

I don't know how it happens, but some of these songs are goofy, hateful, inciteful, and downright archaic. The year is 1939, and somebody or some group in the Maryland government decides to approve the Secessionist Civil War Song, with the tune of "O Tannenbaum"- an easy-to-sing job that frequents taverns and the like. Well. The legislators in Annapolis are looking at this.

But for now,

"The despot's heel is on thy shore" (aka Abe Lincoln)

"With Ringgold's spirit for the fray,
With Watson's blood at Monterey" (who are these people?)

"Dear Mother! burst the tyrant's chain,
Maryland, My Maryland!
Virginia should not call in vain!" (outright obvious)

Huzza! she spurns the Northern scum! (wishful thinking)


The whole text is available at http://www.50states.com/songs/maryland.htm

Luckily, I think that the whole concern is about several lines, not the whole job. Virginia removed "Old Virginny", and yet has not replaced it. What a terrible fate- to not have a state song- only NJ and DC have never had one.