HB1487_S_Subst_1_for_Cmte_Amend

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 three 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 all of our lives and touched our souls 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 shore

Days 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 to such events. 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; and

WHEREAS, in 2021, a popular Mississippi singer and songwriter released a new anthem for the state titled "One Mississippi." In 2017, Steve Azar, who was born and reared in Greenville, Mississippi, was asked by Governor Phil Bryant to write the official Mississippi bicentennial song. "One Mississippi" was recorded at a new recording studio at the Mississippi Arts & Entertainment Experience Museum in Meridian. Azar's lyrics encompass all corners of the Magnolia State, the words of which are as follows:

ONE MISSISSIPPI

Fertile fields of flat lands and hills raise

'bout anything, whatever a farmer can dream.

Slug burgers, shrimp boil, catfish fried up in oil.

Oh good gosh oh mighty, just to husk a hot tamale, now.

Now that's Mississippi.

America's music birthplace where rock and roll

was made out of our gospel and blues

and that pure country tune.

Oh authors and poets, so profoundly historic.

An imagination of a child let their

words run wild. Come on now.

Now that's Mississippi.

I say, one Mississippi there's a magnolia tree.

Two Mississippi where a mockingbird sings, out on its limb, whistling that sweet soulful hymn.

I say, three Mississippi to this land called home.

I'll breathe Mississippi 'til I'm dead and gone.

Just carry on. I'll carry on. Mississippi. Yeah.

We survived hurricanes, know them by name,

rose above a flood, built a wall of its own mud.

And come Sunday morning, we profess our faith,

we're near the cross and His amazing grace.

Oh yeah, now that's Mississippi.

I say, one Mississippi there's a magnolia tree.

Two Mississippi where a mockingbird sings, out on its limb, whistling that sweet soulful hymn.

I say, three Mississippi to this land called home.

I'll breathe Mississippi 'til I'm dead and gone.

Just carry on. I'll carry on. Mississippi.

Round here's where the Muppets grew up.

And potters and artists inspired all of us.

It's kudzu walls and fall football.

A Gulf Coast sunset and a Delta dawn.

It's simple nights, a smile on a face,

taking that peaceful drive down the Natchez Trace.

And our old man river, lavish lakes and streams.

Pines full of the wildest life and possibilities.

That's Mississippi.

Now Jackson is some kind of centerpiece on a

most celebrated table of hospitality.

And ain't it funny how the world has come to

count it seems, they're doing it everywhere,

it's just not one, two, three. No.

We're one Mississippi where there's a magnolia tree.

Two Mississippi while a mockingbird sings,

out on its limb, oh what a sweet soulful hymn.

I say, three Mississippi to this land called home.

I'll bleed Mississippi til I'm dead and gone.

Won't you carry on. Oh carry on. Mississippi. Mississippi.

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. 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, 2022, and shall stand repealed from and after June 30, 2022.