Maryland State Song

"Maryland, My Maryland" Lyrics: James Ryder Randall Music: "Lauriger Horatius"/"O, Tannenbaum" Adoption: 1939 HISTORY "Maryland, My Maryland," was a nine-stanza poem written in 1861 by James Ryder Randall, a schoolteacher and a secessionist sympathizer. It was adopted as the state song in 1939. Randall, a Marylander who lived in the Confederacy, wrote the poem during the Civil War, outraged at the Union troops marching through Baltimore. Also known as America’s "most martial poem," this song refers to Maryland's history and geography, and mentions several key historical figures of importance to the state. It also articulates Randall’s Confederate sympathies. Set to the traditional tune of "Lauriger Horatius" ("O, Tannenbaum") by Miss Jennie Carrie, the song achieved wide popularity in Maryland and throughout the South of the United States. Occasionally, attempts have been made to replace it as Maryland’s state song because of its origin in support for the Confederacy.  -World Trade Press LYRICS "Maryland, My Maryland" The despot's heel is on thy shore, Maryland! His torch is at thy temple door, Maryland! Avenge the patriotic gore That flecked the streets of Baltimore, And be the battle queen of yore, Maryland! My Maryland! Hark to an exiled son's appeal, Maryland! My mother State! to thee I kneel, Maryland! For life and death, for woe and weal, Thy peerless chivalry reveal, And gird thy beauteous limbs with steel, Maryland! My Maryland! Thou wilt not cower in the dust, Maryland! Thy beaming sword shall never rust, Maryland! Remember Carroll's sacred trust, Remember Howard's warlike thrust,- And all thy slumberers with the just, Maryland! My Maryland! Come! 'tis the red dawn of the day, Maryland! Come with thy panoplied array, Maryland! With Ringgold's spirit for the fray, With Watson's blood at Monterey, With fearless Lowe and dashing May, Maryland! My Maryland! Come! for thy shield is bright and strong, Maryland! Come! for thy dalliance does thee wrong, Maryland! Come to thine own anointed throng, Stalking with Liberty along, And chaunt thy dauntless slogan song, Maryland! My Maryland! Dear Mother! burst the tyrant's chain, Maryland! Virginia should not call in vain, Maryland! She meets her sisters on the plain- "Sic semper!" 'tis the proud refrain That baffles minions back amain, Arise in majesty again, Maryland! My Maryland! I see the blush upon thy cheek, Maryland! For thou wast ever bravely meek, Maryland! But lo! there surges forth a shriek, From hill to hill, from creek to creek- Potomac calls to Chesapeake, Maryland! My Maryland! Thou wilt not yield the Vandal toll, Maryland! Thou wilt not crook to his control, Maryland! Better the fire upon thee roll, Better the blade, the shot, the bowl, Than crucifixion of the soul, Maryland! My Maryland! I hear the distant thunder-hum, Maryland! The Old Line's bugle, fife, and drum, Maryland! She is not dead, nor deaf, nor dumb- Huzza! she spurns the Northern scum! She breathes! she burns! she'll come! she'll come! Maryland! My Maryland!