"Maryland My Maryland"

[jmbyrnes]

Gentlemen,

For those of you who are familiar with the song the state of Maryland is attempting to change the lyrics of the song to remove parts of the song that do not reflect modern outlooks and perspectives.

Here is a link to an article which provides you with more information on the topic:http://somd.com/news/headlines/2009/9393.shtml

Here is a link to the actual bill senate bill 892:http://mlis.state.md.us/2009rs/bills/sb/sb0892f.pdf

Please contact members of the MD senate and voice your dissatisfaction with this proposal. Also, please take a moment to read the article I've included because there are many scary quotes. The author of the bill wasn't even aware of the original lyrics of the song. Even worse Anne Garside, the director of communication at the Maryland Historical Society, is quoted as saying that she would support a change to the lyrics to represent more modern perspectives.

Thanks for your help!

[STFeryus]

Re: "Maryland My Maryland"

Wow, this is really unfortunate. I can remember back in the 4th grade where to be a Maryland Patriot, we had to memorize the song. Not until about high school did I actually understand what the words were talking about.

I'll have to be sure to get in touch with my legislators to help preserve this little known piece of Maryland's Civil War legacy...

[flattop32355]

Re: "Maryland My Maryland"

"My Old Kentucky Home" has undergone "modernization" for today's sensibilities.

I can understand how the old lyric would be offensive to some, yet the change removes some of the historic perspective of the song.

Same kind of thing has happened to the Methodist Church Hymnal to make it more "inclusive".....

[rbruno]

Re: "Maryland My Maryland"

I don't know why our (and I mean our whole society) philosophy today is everything, even a song, has to fit into our own modern views of life. And, if it dosen't we need to change it to make sense for us, and not understand it based on its original context. If people do not like that as the state song because the state has changed that much, then adopt a new song for the state. I don't think it is right to change the song itself.

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: "Maryland My Maryland"

Hallo!

Moderator hat on...

The lyrics of the Civil War era song remain the lyrics of the Civil War song.

The new new lyrics remain Modern Politics and a violation of AC Forum rules.

Moderator hat off..

Besides we Pro-Union Germans are outraged the Confederates rewrote the 1824 words to our Christmas carol "O Tannenbaum!

Curt