Lawmakers seek less Confederate state song (MD)

[struggle4progress]

By RACHEL BAYE • 3 HOURS AGO

“Maryland, My Maryland” by James Ryder Randall has been the state song since 1939. But a state panel recommended replacing it in December, and now state lawmakers have a few ideas about how to eliminate the homage to the Confederacy ...

"The song was written by a Confederate sympathizer and it was a plea for secession," <Chris West, a Baltimore County Republican> said. "That part of history is there. We don't to whitewash it, but we certainly don't need to celebrate it by singing it in order to celebrate the state of Maryland" ...

"It is about a point in time when Maryland citizens were extremely divided. It is the only song that actually recommends overthrowing the federal government. It's disparaging to one of the most respected presidents in our history, Abe Lincoln. It calls him a despot and a tyrant. There's a reference to northern scum," Del. Karen Young, a Frederick County Democrat rattled off the reasons why the song is offensive. "It doesn't celebrate Maryland's beauty and the best things about our history" ...

http://news.wypr.org/post/lawmakers-seek-less-confederate-state-song#stream/0

[ProfessorGAC]

1. Just, Wow!

I can't believe this didn't come up until just now. The state song uses the word "scum"? In reference to other human beings?

Just that is enough reason to launch it.

[struggle4progress]

2. There have been sporadic efforts to change it for years

But it was always an uphill fight because usually people haven't known its history or even anything except the tune (O Tannenbaum) and the third verse, which is typically the only one sung:

Thou wilt not cower in the dust!
Maryland! My Maryland!
Thy beaming sword shall never rust!
Maryland! My Maryland!
Remember Carroll's sacred trust!
Remember Howard's warlike thrust!
And all thy slumberers with the just!
Maryland! My Maryland!

[KamaAina]

3. Chris West, a Baltimore County Republican said.

"That part of history is there. We don't to whitewash it, but we certainly don't need to celebrate it by singing it in order to celebrate the state of Maryland" ...