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1998 SESSION

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987584700
SENATE BILL NO. 477 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-- Martin, Edwards, Hanger, Lambert, Newman, Reynolds, Schrock, Stolle, Stosch and Watkins; Delegates: Barlow, Cantor, Cox, Drake, Dudley, Hall, McEachin, Nixon, Reid, Ruff and Wagner
---------- Referred to the Committee on General Laws ----------

Whereas, the Commonwealth has no official song because "Carry Me Back to Old Virginia," declared official song of the Commonwealth in 1940, has been declared the official song emeritus of the Commonwealth; 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; and

Whereas, the song "Virginia," written and composed by Donna and Jimmy Dean, meets these expectations; and

Whereas, the words of this noble song are as follows:

Virginia

First Verse:

From the Blue Ridge to the great Atlantic Ocean

There's a Commonwealth of beauty known to man

As the mother of the Fathers of our country

Heaven chose her as the birthplace of our land

Chorus:

Virginia, dear old Virginia!

There's no place on earth I'd rather be.

Virginia, Sweet old Virginia!

My Old Dominion home keeps calling me.

Second Verse:

When I think about the Beauty of Virginia

I remember dogwoods blooming in the spring

When the sun sets on the Shenandoah Valley

Sometimes I think I hear the angels sing

They sing... .

Chorus:

Virginia, dear old Virginia!

There's no place on earth I'd rather be.

Virginia, Sweet old Virginia!

My Old Dominion home keeps calling me.

Now, therefore,

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 emeritus; 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," by Donna and Jimmy Dean, is declared the official song of the Commonwealth.