Senate Bill 2646

AN ACT TO DESIGNATE "MISS THE MISSISSIPPI AND YOU" BY JIMMIE RODGERS AS THE OFFICIAL TRADITIONAL COUNTRY SONG OF MISSISSIPPI AND TO DESIGNATE "CROSS ROAD BLUES" BY ROBERT JOHNSON AS THE OFFICIAL TRADITIONAL BLUES SONG OF MISSISSIPPI; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

WHEREAS, the State of Mississippi has no official state song because "Go, Mississippi" was declared the official state song under House Concurrent Resolution No. 67 (1962 Regular Session) and was never enacted as a statute and codified as other official state emblems and designations; and

WHEREAS, the official state song of Mississippi should reference the rich music traditions of the state which are performed and celebrated by music lovers across the state, country and internationally; and

WHEREAS, the extensive history and diversity of the State of Mississippi require the designation of two official state songs that can be sung with pride and affection; and

WHEREAS, Jimmie Rodgers of Meridian, Mississippi, "The Father of Country Music," has had a profound impact on the lives of Mississippians with his simple but unique way with music. "Miss the Mississippi and You" by Jimmie Rodgers in 1932 meets the melodic and lyrical requirements for a state song, the words of which are as follows:

MISS THE MISSISSIPPI AND YOU

I'm growing tired of the big city lights

Tired of the glamour, tired of the size

I'm always dreaming of roaming once more

Back to my home on the old river shoreDays are dark and dreary everywhere I roam

How I long for Mississippi and you

Nothing seems to cheer me under heaven's door

How I miss the Mississippi and you

Roaming the wide world over

Always alone and blue, so blue

I am sad and weary, longing to go home

Yes, I miss the Mississippi and you

Mockingbirds are singing 'round the cabin door

While I dream of Mississippi and you

And my memories are bringing happy days of yore

I have spent in Mississippi with you

Roaming the wide world over

Always alone and blue, so blue

Longing for my homeland on that muddy water shore

Yes, I miss the Mississippi and you

The Mississippi and you

WHEREAS, "Cross Road Blues" (more commonly known as "Crossroads") is a blues song written and recorded by Mississippi Blues Artist Robert Johnson in 1936. Johnson performed it as a solo piece with his vocal and acoustic slide guitar in the Delta blues-style. The song has become part of the Robert Johnson mythology as referring to the place where he supposedly sold his soul to the devil in exchange for his musical talents, although the lyrics do not contain any specific references. Renowned English Guitarist Eric Clapton with Cream popularized the song as "Crossroads" in the late 1960s. "Cross Road Blues" meets the melodic and lyrical requirements for a state song, the words of which are as follows:

CROSSROADS

I went down to the crossroads, fell down on my knees.

Asked the Lord above for mercy, "Save me if you please."

I went down to the crossroads, tried to flag a ride.

Nobody seemed to know me, everybody passed me by.

I'm going down to Rosedale, take my rider by the side.

You can still barrel house, baby, on the riverside.

You can run, you can run, tell my friend-boy Willie Brown.

And I'm standing at the crossroads, believe I'm sinking down; NOW, THEREFORE,

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. The following are hereby designated the official state songs of the State of Mississippi:

(a) Traditional Country Song, "Miss the Mississippi and You" by Jimmie Rodgers;

(b) Traditional Blues Song, "Cross Road Blues" by Robert Johnson; and

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2019.