House Bill 706

AN ACT TO CREATE NEW SECTION 3-3-63, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO DESIGNATE THE SONG "MY HOME MISSISSIPPI" AS AN OFFICIAL STATE SONG IN ADDITION TO THE PRESENT OFFICIAL STATE SONG "GO, MISSISSIPPI"; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

WHEREAS, the Legislature recognizes that many states of the United States have two (2) or more official state songs, including: Tennessee, which has six (6) official state songs; West Virginia, which has three (3) official state songs; and Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana and South Carolina, each of which has two (2) official state songs; and

WHEREAS, Mississippi presently has an official state song, "Go, Mississippi," written by Houston Davis, which was adopted by the Legislature in House Concurrent Resolution No. 67, 1962 Regular Session; and

WHEREAS, while "Go, Mississippi" is used sometimes for special occasions and specific events, the lyrics and melody of the song do not lend themselves easily for Mississippians to sing at informal gatherings and by Mississippians individually as they go about their daily lives; and

WHEREAS, the Legislature desires that all Mississippians have the opportunity to join together in a second official state song; a special song that vividly describes Mississippi and her people; that will instill pride and joy in the hearts of every Mississippian; that expresses the joy and love that Mississippians have for their state, for one another and for everyone who visits Mississippi; that will draw all Mississippians together with love and respect for one another and for their state; and that is easy to sing with lyrics and melody that are suitable for all occasions, public and private, formal and informal; and

WHEREAS, the Legislature further desires to provide Mississippians with two (2) official state songs so that Mississippians will have official state songs appropriate for all occasions, events and daily activities; and

WHEREAS, the Legislature further desires to recognize as a second official song of the State of Mississippi, the words and music of "My Home Mississippi," written by Delma Furniss, which are:

Verse I

O my heart is filled with joy ev-'ry morning as I rise,

Just to have another day beneath your warm and friendly

skies,

And to share with friend and neighbor all your bountiful

supplies;

You are so good to me!

Verse II

From your northern hill a'rolling to your dazzling great gulf

sand;

From your eastern pines so stately to your fertile Delta

land;

With your fields and streams connecting - it is all so very

grand!

O what a sight to see!

Verse III

All your people, nice and pleasant, like a melody in tune,

With your charm and loving beauty, like a new-sprung rose in

June,

And a welcome, big and glowing, like the golden harvest moon;

O hospitality!

Verse IV

Your mind - more fresh and ever clean than the driven winter

snow;

Your heart - more pure and O more fine than the richest gold,

I know;

Your soul - more filled with holiness than an angel's saintly

glow;

O what a trinity!

Verse V

When my final bell comes ringing - be it morning, noon or

night;

When He raps upon my portal, and my spirit takes its flight;

As they lay me in your bosom, ev-'ry thing will be all right;

You've been so good to me!

Chorus

Warm and friendly, Mississippi,

One and only, Mississippi,

I do love you, Mississippi,

My home you'll always be!

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 "My Home Mississippi," written by Delma Furniss, are designated as the second official song of the State of Mississippi.

SECTION 2. The Division of Tourism of the Mississippi Development Authority and all other agencies of the state interested in promoting the welfare of the State of Mississippi are encouraged to make use of the state song "My Home Mississippi" in promoting and advancing the State of Mississippi and its citizens. The State of Mississippi and state agencies are granted copyright permission by the song's author to use this song in pursuing and accomplishing these endeavors.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2021.