State Song Of Ohio

State Song Of Ohio

The Song “Beautiful Ohio” Is The Official State Song Of Ohio. The Ohio legislature adopted “Beautiful Ohio” as Ohio State Song In 1969. Mary Earl, whose real name was Robert A. “Bobo” King, composed the music. Ballard MacDonald wrote the original State Song Of Ohio lyrics in 1918. In 1989, with the permission of the Ohio legislature, Wilbert B. McBride altered the lyrics. MacDonald describes a rather fanciful view of Ohio, describing it as a “paradise,” where two people fell in love In his version. McBride also described Ohio in a stellar light, using terms like “majestic,” “beautiful,” and “lovely.” In addition, He provided a more accurate portrayal of the state by referring to the state’s industries, cities, and farmland, deleting MacDonald’s lovers from the Ohio State Song.

 

Lyrics to “Beautiful Ohio”

I sailed away;

Wandered afar;

Crossed the mighty restless sea;

Looked for where I ought to be.

Cities so grand, mountains above,

Led to this land I love.

 

CHORUS

 Beautiful Ohio, where the golden grain

Dwarf the lovely flowers in the summer rain.

Cities rising high, silhouette the sky.

Freedom is supreme in this majestic land;

Mighty factories seem to hum in tune, so grand.

Beautiful Ohio, thy wonders are in view,

Land where my dreams all come true!

 

ORIGINAL CHORUS (as written by Ballard MacDonald)

 

Drifting with the current down a moonlit stream

While above the Heavens in their glory gleam

And the stars on high

Twinkle in the sky

Seeming in a paradise of love divine

Dreaming of a pair of eyes that looked in mine

Beautiful Ohio, in dreams again I see

Visions of what used to be.

 

Recordings

Popular versions in 1919 Were by:

  • Henry Burr
  • Waldorf-Astoria Dance Orchestra
  • Prince’s Orchestra
  • Olive Kline & Marguerite Dunlap
  • Fritz Kreisler
  • Sam Ash

Jo Stafford included the song on her 1966 album Do I Hear a Waltz?

TOPICS >   | | Ohio