Friday, March 18, 2016

Maryland moves to rid state song of Civil War (sic) references, including calling Northerners 'scum'

Via Billy



First Confederate Soldier Killed In The WBTS

The Maryland Senate voted Thursday to remove references to the Confederacy from the official state song and replace the controversial portions of the historic anthem with a verse from a poem that describes the state's natural beauty.

The 38-to-8 vote came after a protracted debate about how Maryland should address its painful past.

Supporters of the bill said the song titled "Maryland, My Maryland," written by James Ryder Randall in 1861, is not unifying and does not represent Marylanders, then or now.

More @ NOLA

I
The despot's heel is on thy shore,
Maryland!*
His torch is at thy temple door,
Maryland!
Avenge the patriotic gore
That flecked the streets of Baltimore,
And be the battle queen of yore,
Maryland! My Maryland!
II
Hark to an exiled son's appeal,
Maryland!
My mother State! to thee I kneel,
Maryland!
For life and death, for woe and weal,
Thy peerless chivalry reveal,
And gird thy beauteous limbs with steel,
Maryland! My Maryland!
III
Thou wilt not cower in the dust,
Maryland!
Thy beaming sword shall never rust,
Maryland!
Remember Carroll's sacred trust,
Remember Howard's warlike thrust,-
And all thy slumberers with the just,
Maryland! My Maryland!
IV
Come! 'tis the red dawn of the day,
Maryland!
Come with thy panoplied array,
Maryland!
With Ringgold's spirit for the fray,
With Watson's blood at Monterey,
With fearless Lowe and dashing May,
Maryland! My Maryland!
V
Come! for thy shield is bright and strong,
Maryland!
Come! for thy dalliance does thee wrong,
Maryland!
Come to thine own anointed throng,
Stalking with Liberty along,
And chaunt thy dauntless slogan song,
Maryland! My Maryland!
VI
Dear Mother! burst the tyrant's chain,
Maryland!
Virginia should not call in vain,
Maryland!
She meets her sisters on the plain-
"Sic semper!" 'tis the proud refrain
That baffles minions back amain,
Maryland! My Maryland!
VII
I see the blush upon thy cheek,
Maryland!
For thou wast ever bravely meek,
Maryland!
But lo! there surges forth a shriek,
From hill to hill, from creek to creek-
Potomac calls to Chesapeake,
Maryland! My Maryland!
VIII
Thou wilt not yield the Vandal toll,
Maryland!
Thou wilt not crook to his control,
Maryland!
Better the fire upon thee roll,
Better the blade, the shot, the bowl,
Than crucifixion of the soul,
Maryland! My Maryland!
IX
I hear the distant thunder-hum,
Maryland!
The Old Line's bugle, fife, and drum,
Maryland!
She is not dead, nor deaf, nor dumb-
Huzza! she spurns the Northern scum!
She breathes! she burns! she'll come! she'll come!
Maryland! My Maryland

4 comments:

  1. What was a historically meaningful song and one of the best state songs is about to be cleansed for the sake of what ? Political Correctness is absolutely ridiculous and should be checked. Of course I am sure the 8 legislator folks who voted to keep it as is where the last sensible souls left in the old line state

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    Replies
    1. I am sure the 8 legislator folks who voted to keep it as is where the last sensible souls left in the old line state

      I imagine. There have been calls in years previous to change it, but nothing materialized.

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  2. A lovely State song with heart felt passion. Kind of reminds
    me of a Christmas song, can't recall which one.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes it does, now that you're mentioned it. Thanks.

      Delete