Idaho State Song

"Here We Have Idaho"

Lyrics: Albert J. Thompkins and McKinley Helm

Music: Sallie Hume-Douglas, arranged by Craig Chernos

Adoption: 1931

HISTORY

"Here We Have Idaho," composed by Sallie Hume-Douglas, was originally published on November 4, 1915, under the title "Garden of Paradise." In 1917, McKinley Helm, a student at the University of Idaho, wrote a verse that became the chorus for the song. Later, Albert Thompkins, Director of Music in the Boise public school system, wrote a full set of lyrics. In 1930 the song won the annual University of Idaho's music prize and became the university's alma mater (although the title was changed to "Our Idaho" and another set of verses were written specifically for the university). The same year, the state obtained the right from the composers to use the music as an anthem. In 1931 the Idaho legislature formally designated "Here We Have Idaho" as the Idaho state song.  -World Trade Press

LYRICS

"Here We Have Idaho"

You've heard of the wonders
Our land does possess,
It's beautiful valleys and hills,
The majestic forests where nature abounds,
We love every nook and rill.

And here we have Idaho—
Winning her way to fame,
Silver and gold in the sunlight blaze,
And romance in her name.

Singing, we're singing of you,
Ah, proudly too,
All our lives thru,
We'll go singing,
Singing of you,
Singing of Idaho.

There's truly one state
In this great land of ours
Where ideals can be realized
The pioneers made it so for you and me
A legacy we'll always prize.

Chorus