VIRGINIA LAW PORTAL

• Code of Virginia
• Virginia Administrative Code
• Constitution of Virginia
• Charters
• Authorities
• Compacts
• Uncodified Acts
• RIS Users (account required)

SEARCHABLE DATABASES

• Bills & Resolutions
  session legislation
• Bill Summaries
  session summaries
• Reports to the General Assembly
  House and Senate documents
• Legislative Liaisons
  State agency contacts

ACROSS SESSIONS

• Subject Index: Since 1995
• Bills & Resolutions: Since 1994
• Summaries: Since 1994

Developed and maintained by the Division of Legislative Automated Systems.

1998 SESSION

• history | hilite | pdf | print version

989076272
HOUSE BILL NO. 1277 Offered January 26, 1998 A BILL to amend and reenact § 7.1-37 of the Code of Virginia, relating to the official song of the Commonwealth. ---------- Patrons-- Hargrove and Shuler ---------- Referred to Committee on General Laws ----------

Whereas, the Commonwealth has no effective official song because "Carry Me Back To Old Virginia," declared the State song in 1940, has become so controversial that it is no longer possible or appropriate to use the song; and

Whereas, the official song should reference the rich history and tradition of the Commonwealth and invoke images of the natural and scenic beauty its citizens celebrate; and

Whereas, the Commonwealth requires an official song that can be sung on all occasions with pride and affection; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That "Virginia (Heaven on Earth to Me)," by Constance McGhee Cost, be designated the official song of the Commonwealth, the words of which are as follows:

Virginia (Heaven on Earth to Me) They were visitors in a brand new land, Lookin' for the way... And ones like Pocahontas and Powhatan Gave them the strength to stay. The legends says he chopped down a cherry tree When he was just a boy.... Then he led the fight to set our country free! What a Virginia boy!

Chorus:

There's no finer place to hope to be... From the Allegheny Mountains, through the valley to the sea! The Old Dominion, full of hope and rich in history... Virginia...Heaven on earth to me! From the dawn of the sun until the day was done, In the shipyards, fields and factories they'd stay... Toilin' side by side, pressing' on with pride, Ah! That's the Virginia way!

Chorus:

There's no finer place to hope to be... From the Allegheny Mountains, through the valley to the sea! The Old Dominion, full of hope and rich in history... Virginia...She's home sweet home to me! Now, buildin' on tradition, we'll be reachin' for the stars! The Commonwealth has challenges to meet.... From near or far, whoever you are... We've a legacy of excellence to keep!

Chorus:

There's no finer place to hope to be... From the Allegheny Mountains, through the valley to the sea! The Old Dominion, full of hope and rich in history... Virginia...Heaven on earth to me! Home sweet home to me! The best is yet to be!

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That § 7.1-37 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 7.1-37. Official song.

A. The song "Carry Me Back to Old Virginia," by James A. Bland, as set out in the House Joint Resolution 10, adopted by the General Assembly of Virginia at the Session of 1940, is declared to be the official song emeritus of the Commonwealth.

B. The song "Virginia (Heaven on Earth to Me)," by Constance McGhee Cost, as set out in the 1998 Acts of Assembly, is declared to be the official song of the Commonwealth.