Bill Text: MS HB202 | 2019 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: State song; designate "My Home Mississippi" as second official song.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Failed) 2019-02-05 - Died In Committee [HB202 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2019-HB202-Introduced.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2019 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Representative Paden
House Bill 202
AN ACT TO CREATE NEW SECTION 3-3-63, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO DESIGNATE THE SONG "MY HOME MISSISSIPPI" AS AN OFFICIAL STATE SONG IN ADDITION TO THE PRESENT OFFICIAL STATE SONG "GO, MISSISSIPPI"; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
WHEREAS, the Legislature recognizes that many states of the United States have two (2) or more official state songs, including: Tennessee, which has six (6) official state songs; West Virginia, which has three (3) official state songs; and Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana and South Carolina, which each have two (2) official state songs; and
WHEREAS, Mississippi presently has an official state song, "Go, Mississippi," written by Houston Davis, which was adopted by the Legislature in House Concurrent Resolution No. 67, 1962 Regular Session; and
WHEREAS, while "Go, Mississippi" is used sometimes for special occasions and specific events, the lyrics and melody of the song do not lend themselves easily for Mississippians to sing at informal gatherings and by Mississippians individually as they go about their daily lives; and
WHEREAS, the Legislature desires that all Mississippians have the opportunity to join together in a second official state song; a song that vividly describes Mississippi and her people; that will instill pride and joy in the hearts of every Mississippian; that expresses joy and love that Mississippians have for their state, for one another and for everyone who visits Mississippi; that will draw all Mississippians together with love and respect for one another and for their state; and a special song that is easy to sing with lyrics and melody that are suitable for all occasions, public and private, formal and informal; and
WHEREAS, the Legislature further desires to provide Mississippians with two (2) official state songs so that Mississippians will have official state songs appropriate for all occasions, events and daily activities; and
WHEREAS, the Legislature further desires to recognize as a second official song of the State of Mississippi, the words and music of "My Home Mississippi," written by Delma Furniss, which are:
Verse I
O my heart is filled with joy ev-'ry morning as I rise,
Just to have another day beneath your warm and friendly skies,
And to share with friend and neighbor all your bountiful supplies;
You are so good to me!
Verse II
From your northern hill a'rolling to your dazzling great gulf sand;
From your eastern pines so stately to your fertile Delta land;
With your fields and streams connecting - it is all so very grand!
O what a sight to see!
Verse III
All your people, nice and pleasant, like a melody in tune,
With your charm and loving beauty, like a new-sprung rose in June,
And a welcome, big and glowing, like the golden harvest moon;
O hospitality!
Verse IV
Your mind - more fresh and ever clean than the driven winter snow;
Your heart - more pure and O more fine than the richest gold, I know;
Your soul - more filled with holiness than an angel's saintly glow;
O what a trinity!
Verse V
When my final bell comes ringing - be it morning, noon or night;
When He raps upon my portal, and my spirit takes its flight;
As they lay me in your bosom, ev-'ry thing will be all right;
You've been so good to me!
Chorus
Warm and friendly, Mississippi,
One and only, Mississippi,
I do love you, Mississippi,
My home you'll always be!
NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. The following shall be codified as Section 3-3-63, Mississippi Code of 1972:
3-3-63. The lyrics and music to the song "My Home Mississippi," written by Delma Furniss, are designated as the second official song of the State of Mississippi.
SECTION 2. The Division of Tourism of the Mississippi Development Authority and all other agencies of the state interested in promoting the welfare of the State of Mississippi are encouraged to make use of the state song "My Home Mississippi" in promoting and advancing the State of Mississippi and its citizens. The State of Mississippi and state agencies are granted copyright permission by the song's author to use this song in pursuing and accomplishing these endeavors.
SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2019.
