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Proposed State Song Clears House, Senate Committees
Tribune photo by COLIN HACKLEY
The House Tourism and Trade Committee passed a bill to make “Florida – Where The Sawgrass Meets The Sky” the new state song after Rosemary Collins, a chorus teacher at Safety Harbor Middle School, sang it Thursday morning.
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Published: March 13, 2008
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TALLAHASSEE - After winning unanimous approval from a House committee this morning, legislation establishing a new state song moved to a Senate committee, where the bill received a much colder reception.
The bill making "Florida – Where the Sawgrass Meets the Sky" the new state song narrowly passed the Senate Governmental Operations Committee in a 3-to-2 vote. Sen. Jim King, R-Jacksonville, and Sen. Bill Posey, R-Rockledge, opposed the bill but voted for the measure, saying the issue deserves more discussion by lawmakers.
"I knew I was the tiebreaking vote," King said. "I am empathetically inclined to stay with the old song."
Jan Hinton, who wrote the new song, said she wasn't discouraged by the narrow vote.
"As long as it's alive, there's hope," Hinton said.
The current state song, "Swanee River," has been Florida's official state song since legislators adopted it with a resolution in 1935. It's one of the most recognizable tunes in the world, but it hearkens to the state's plantation era, includes the word "darkeys" in the chorus and was rejected for Gov. Charlie Crist's inauguration ceremony.
Governmental operations chairman Al Lawson, D-Tallahassee, said the original version of the state song "is very offensive to a lot of people."
Lawson suggested an amendment to change the lyrics of "Swanee River."
The bill's author, Sen. Tony Hill, D-Jacksonville, said Crist "felt the song was dated and did not reflect present-day Florida." Hill added that his bill does not actually replace "Swanee River."
"Swanee River is not in the statute," he said. "We're just adding to the statute, designating 'Where the Sawgrass Meets the Sky' as the new state song."
Reporter Russell Ray can be reached at rray@tampatrib.com.
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Reader Comments
Posted by ( northfla ) on March 13, 2008 at 10:29 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
What did you think she would say.....
"Sorry, but your song sucks! Let's just leave the current song alone."
After all, you are talking to a politician , not me!
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Posted by ( GF ) on March 13, 2008 at 10:46 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Where the property insurance, and taxes reach for the sky "truly depicts the Florida of today."
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Posted by ( LARGO_TOM ) on March 13, 2008 at 10:48 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
I thought the new songs in the Catholic Church were the ultimate in insipidness but this new state song takes the prize.
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Posted by ( WellWater ) on March 13, 2008 at 11 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
GF - truer words were never sung!
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Posted by ( nataS ) on March 13, 2008 at 11:01 a.m.
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Posted by ( picogator ) on March 13, 2008 at 11:10 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
I listened to all the three choices; all boring, insipid, without merit. Although SR may contain some words objectionable today, the song is part of our history. Roll on, Swanee, roll on.
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Posted by ( DoodleBugg ) on March 13, 2008 at 11:15 a.m.
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Posted by ( abmort ) on March 13, 2008 at 11:18 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
I was against changing Swanee River as well, and I agree that this song is corny (and Swanee River isn't?). All state songs are simple and corny, because the basic melody needs to be singable.
I'll agree that this is an update and represents the Florida that we live in now.
Old song says: "All the world is sad and dreary everywhere I roam. Oh darkies how my heart grows weary, far from the old folks at home."
Now that presents a beautiful picture of our state, doesn't it? Everywhere but Florida is dreary, seniors staying indoors, and what is considered today a racial slur?
Though it won't change anyone's life in the least - I'm now all for changing the song, though I wish someone would record or perform a version without cheesy electronic tracks. We do have musicians in this weary state.
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Posted by ( dogworld ) on March 13, 2008 at 11:20 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
All these important issues! First ban kids from wearing their pants low; find a state song. Anything here that we need a lawmaking body for?
I'm going to run for public office and get a job doing nothing too.
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Posted by ( msgmkr ) on March 13, 2008 at 11:26 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Sounds like background music for a Disney ride. BOO.
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Posted by ( TampaSlim ) on March 13, 2008 at 11:27 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
I was always confused by "Old Folks At Home" (Suwanee River) Was Stephen Foster directionally challenged? I mean, it goes..."Way down...up...on...the Suwanee River..." Why not add over, under and across the river too?
But then, the Yardbirds took care of that back in '66 with "Over, Under Sideways, Down", which would have made a great state song.
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Posted by ( Gen2Native ) on March 13, 2008 at 11:42 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
There are so many other choices that would have been much better. There was actually a state song prior to SR - why not just use that one? What about Chief Jim Billie's songs about Florida and the Everglades? Didn't Stephen Foster write more than one song? What about Tampa Red? Adderley brothers? Local musician Fred Johnson? John Anderson - Seminole Wind?
The composer is not even from Florida and the song truly does sound like it was written by an outside observer, not someone who lives here and knows the history.
I agree with the other comment that this is just a way to kill time for politicians who will not address the real issues.
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Posted by ( DoodleBugg ) on March 13, 2008 at 11:43 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Don't mention YARDBIRDS.
somebody will think it's a racial slur and want to change it...
and then i'd have buy new records.......
long live Gram Parsons
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Posted by ( HarleyD ) on March 13, 2008 at 11:44 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
They might as well simply eliminate the State Song altogether if they want to distance themselves from "Old Folks At Home". This bland, boring, and politically correct piece they are proposing will never generate a following. Nobody is going to learn it, much less play it or sing it. Let's just dump some more of our heritage on the wayside.
Another sacrifice at the altar of political correctness.
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Posted by ( TampaSlim ) on March 13, 2008 at 12:02 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Okay D-Bugg...The Garden Avians.
Just glad it wasn't recorded by Kinky Friedman and the Texas Jew-Boys.
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Posted by ( mommy2eandl ) on March 13, 2008 at 12:14 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
How many fricking times does she have to say Florida to get the picture that this is a "song" about Florida?!?!
Sorry, but it sucks! I actually fell asleep listening to it... ZZZZZZZZ.
dogworld, don't forget that you will get paid thousands to sit around and do nothing. Sounds like a job I would love to have.
There are so many other experienced song writers out there that are more qualified to write a song for this state. I bet all you have to do is ask. I know Jimmy Buffet would do a MUCH better job. Hey Jimmy, would ya.....
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Posted by ( DoodleBugg ) on March 13, 2008 at 12:25 p.m.
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Posted by ( DoodleBugg ) on March 13, 2008 at 12:27 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
what does Buffet know about the south..........nadda
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Posted by ( dogworld ) on March 13, 2008 at 12:27 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Uh, TampaSlim, I think you're kidding and it's funny, but in case you aren't it's way down (meaning down stream) upon (meaning on the surface) the Swanee River, (which should be spelled Suwanee River. I think I need a shot of Janice Joplin's favorite drink.
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Posted by ( djdyal ) on March 13, 2008 at 12:29 p.m.
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Posted by ( mama7speed ) on March 13, 2008 at 12:57 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
I just heard the song. hmmmm...maybe it would have more punch if Cinderella sang it. But hey, if it helps our troubled housing market, insurance and property tax issues then lets all sing together...hit it....FLORIDA...
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Posted by ( gizzmo97 ) on March 13, 2008 at 1:20 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
I WILL FOLLOW WHO VOTES YES AND VOTE THEM OUT OF OFFICE NEXT ELECTION. THIS IS AN ABSOLUTE WASTE OF TIME AND MOST OF THE CITIZENS ARE HAPPY WITH THE CURRENT SONG.
REMEMBER WE WILL SEE YOU NEXT ELECTION.
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Posted by ( SpanishInquisition ) on March 13, 2008 at 1:22 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Well, thank God our Legislature is taking care of the peoples' business.
This is why I vote...to ensure that my representative government is handling the real issues that effect Floridians.
<SARCASM>
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Posted by ( NOTAFAN ) on March 13, 2008 at 1:43 p.m.
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Posted by ( Major7th ) on March 13, 2008 at 1:48 p.m.
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Posted by ( RobKay ) on March 13, 2008 at 2:18 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
For crying out loud, how much time are they going to waste on this? The song sucks, no one's going to sing it or remember it anyway. I thought this was settled with a vote months ago. No wonder the house and senate can't accomplish anything worthwhile. They're too busy screwing around with crap like this instead of concerning themselves with Florida's problems. Wake up guys - you're making fools of yourselves and everyone is noticing!
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Posted by ( RobKay ) on March 13, 2008 at 2:26 p.m.
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Posted by ( northfla ) on March 13, 2008 at 2:36 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
If you play it backwards at twice the speed it says "Crist is the antichrist"
You kinda got to really listen, but I'm sure it's there.
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Posted by ( kiop ) on March 13, 2008 at 2:37 p.m.
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Posted by ( bc ) on March 13, 2008 at 3:05 p.m.
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Posted by ( abarthle ) on March 13, 2008 at 3:18 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
I remember reading an article awhile back about some native Florida songwriters who were upset that they didn't get a chance to submit anything for the new state song. Kinda makes you wonder who those three had to pay to get their songs considered...or who they know. Cuz that's the way of the world in Florida...it's all in who you know.
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Posted by ( GF ) on March 13, 2008 at 3:50 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
kiop, No kidding, here we are in a financial crisis, and the senate wants to give illegals more money to do the jobs that "nobody else wants to do". Why didn't they think of that when we did want to do those jobs.
We did do them at one time, didn't we?
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Posted by ( pace ) on March 14, 2008 at 5:49 a.m.
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Posted by ( sid63usm ) on March 15, 2008 at 11:36 p.m.
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Posted by ( sid63usm ) on March 27, 2008 at 12:37 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Why were my comments deleted?
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