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1999 SESSION

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988893620
SENATE BILL NO. 634 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. ---------- Patron-- Bolling (By Request) ---------- 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, Heaven On Earth to Me," by Constance McGhee Cost, meets the aforesaid criteria; and

Whereas, the words of this song are as follows:

Virginia, Heaven On Earth To Me

First verse

They were visitors in a brand new land,

Lookin' for the way...

And ones like Pocahontas and Powhatan

Gave them the strength to stay.

Second verse

The legend 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!

Third verse

From the dawn of the sun until the day was done,

In the shipyards, fields and factories they'd stay.

Toilin' side by side, pressin' 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 history...

VIRGINIA...SHE'S HOME SWEET HOME TO ME!

Fourth verse

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 history...

VIRGINIA...THE BEST IS YET TO BE!

HEAVEN ON EARTH TO ME!

HOME SWEET HOME TO ME!

THE BEST IS YET TO BE!

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, 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, is declared the official song of the Commonwealth.