Bill Text: MS HB922 | 2019 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: State song; designate "Mississippi Song" as official.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Failed) 2019-02-05 - Died In Committee [HB922 Detail]

Download: Mississippi-2019-HB922-Introduced.html

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MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2019 Regular Session

To: Tourism

By: Representative Weathersby

House Bill 922

AN ACT TO CREATE NEW SECTION 3-3-63, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO DESIGNATE "MISSISSIPPI SONG" AS THE OFFICIAL STATE SONG; TO REPEAL CHAPTER 654, LAWS OF 1962, WHICH DESIGNATED "GO MISSISSIPPI" AS THE OFFICIAL STATE SONG; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

     WHEREAS, the promotion of the best interests of the State of Mississippi requires that the state have an officially recognized state song that will instill pride in all Mississippians and that will give rise to positive connotations in the minds of all who sing or hear the official song; and

     WHEREAS, the present official state song has served its purpose, but is not representative of the quickening pace of the development of the State of Mississippi; and

     WHEREAS, the Legislature desires to recognize as the official state song of the State of Mississippi, the lyrics and music of "Mississippi Song," written by Jim Weatherly in 1971, which are:

     Verse 1

     She was once a great lady standing tall with her

     head held high.  Then a war came along, broke her

     heart and left her there to die. With her gown in

     tattered shreds, she raised her weary head, and

     vowed she'd rise again. Looking back to yesterday,

     she's come a long, long way since then.

     Chorus

     Mississippi, this is your song. Sung for all the

     righteous people who don't let you forget when you

     were wrong. In the past they've written songs for

     everything that's red, white and blue. It's been a

     long time coming, so Mississippi, this one's for

     you.

     Verse 2

     I was born into her family and raised on the labors

     of her fields; beneath the summer sun's warm haze.

     She let me run across her meadows and her hills,

     but she's still the last in line when they pass out

     poems and rhymes about the land of the free.

     Lord, she's still misunderstood, but she's been

     mighty good to me.

     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 "Mississippi Song," written by Jim Weatherly in 1971, is designated as the official song of the State of Mississippi.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 654, Laws of 1962, which designated "Go Mississippi" as the official song of the State of Mississippi, is repealed.

     SECTION 3.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2019.