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quote:
Originally posted by JaneYIS:
Here's the first verse to our current state song:

Alabama, Alabama,
We will aye be true to thee,
From thy Southern shore where groweth,
By the sea thine orange tree.
To thy Northern vale where floweth
Deep and blue thy Tennessee.
Alabama, Alabama,
we will aye be true to thee.

There are seven verses. None are racist or mention Dixie. They are simply an ode to our state, pointing out the beautiful features and the various industries. What else does a state song do? I cannot see our young elementary age children trying to sing either of the two suggested songs in lieu of this one. I, too, still remember the song from my early school years. The author, Julia Tutwiler, was a strong educator and women's rights activist. She established the first technical school for women (which is now the University of Montevallo).

Now, here is a portion of "Stars Fell on Alabama" (which I have never heard!)

We lived our little drama
We kissed in a field of white
And stars fell on Alabama
Last night

I can't forget the glamour
Your eyes held a tender light
While stars fell on Alabama
Last night

Sounds like a love song to me! The focus is on the romance, not on the state.
OK, I got my two cents' worth in. I'll shush now!


I have to say...even though for some reason unknown to me, I never learned the state song in school, it does sound like a keeper.

After hearing these kids http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7izxsZgme38 sing it, with one of the fourth graders playing it, I'm inclined to think they should leave it alone. JMHO

They might consider using the lyrics and updating the music a bit, maybe change the word "aye" to forever, always, etc.?
In my opinion, both the Tutweiler song and Sweet Home Alabama are pretty bad.

The Tutweiler song is insipid, and badly rhymed -- what give with the "We will aye be true to thee"? Cheated on a syllable, ole girl?

And "Sweet Home" has some painful lyrics. And it mentions that 1960's retread douchebag, Neil Young. We don't need to have that relic honored in a state song.

In my opinion, a better choice would be "Alabama Song," originally from the Brecht opera, "Aufsteig und Fall der Stadt Mahagonny."

Here is the most known version:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_d_VJbYAfc

For the fans of opera,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JeozviowUGo

For obvious versions, I prefer the first one!
Apparently they want something more catchy and contemporary that can be used to promote tourism. They ought to recognize the incredibly talented musicians in this state and have a songwriting contest. This would work much better than trying to force a song that was written for an entirely different purpose to fit.
quote:
Originally posted by beebobear1985:
This video LINK doesn't do it justice, but my daughter performed with this group for 5 years. When you have 400 high school all state choral students singing "Alabama" as it was intended to be performed, it will literally send chills down your spine.


The lyrics ARE very beautiful.
Lyrics to the Alabama State Song
Alabama
Written by Julia S. Tutwiler
Composed by Edna Gockel Gussen

Alabama, Alabama, We will aye be true to thee,
From thy Southern shores where groweth,
By the sea thy orange tree.
To thy Northern vale where floweth,
Deep blue the Tennessee,
Alabama, Alabama, we will aye be true to thee!

Broad thy stream whose name thou bearest;
Grand thy Bigbee rolls along;
Fair thy Coosa-Tallapoosa
Bold thy Warrior, dark and strong,
Goodlier than the land that Moses
Climbed lone Nebo's Mount to see,
Alabama, Alabama, we will aye be true to thee!

From thy prairies broad and fertile,
Where thy snow-white cotton shines,
To the hills where coal and iron
Hide in thy exausted mines,
Strong -armed miners -sturdy farmers;
Loyal hearts what'er we be,
Alabama, Alabama, we will aye be true to thee!

From thy quarries where the marble
White as that of Paros gleams
Waiting till thy sculptor'ss chisel,
Wake to life thy poet's dreams;
Fear not only wealth of nature,
Wealth of mind has no fee,
Alabama, Alabama, we will aye be true to thee!

Where the perfumed south-wind whispers,
Thy magnolia groves among,
Softer than a mother's kisses,
Sweeter than a mother's song,
Where the golden jasmine trailing,
Woos the treasure-laden bee,
Alabama, Alabama, we will aye be true to thee!

Brave and pure thy men and women,
Better this than corn and wine
Make us worthy, God in Heaven
Of this goodly land of Thine.
Hearts as open as thy doorways.
Liberal hands and spirits free.
Alabama, Alabama, we will aye be true to thee!

Little, little can I give thee,
Alabama, mother mine.
But that little - hand, brain, spirit.
All I have and am are thine.
Take, O take, the gift and giver.
Take and serve thyself with me.
Alabama, Alabama, we will aye be true to thee!
Lyics to Stars Fell on Alabama

We lived our little drama,
We kissed in a field of white,
And stars fell on Alabama,
Last night.
I can't forget the glamor,
Your eyes held a tender light,
And stars fell on Alabama,
Last night
I never planned in my imagination,
A situation – so heavenly,
A fairy land where no one else could enter,
And in the center – just you and me.
My heart beat like a hammer,
My arms wound around you tight,
And stars fell on Alabama,
Last night.
quote:
Originally posted by E.Z. Lee Pistoph:
I have never been able to understand why "Dixie" is considered to be such a statement of racism anyway, I don't mean "Some people are offended by it!" I mean why are some people offended by it,because somebody told them they should be? There is nothing in this little song that any rational person should be offended by. Anywasy have you ever been thirsty enough to drink from a dixie cup and how far past a Dixie gas station would you walk if you had run out of gas?


It's just that SOME PEOPLE have to find something silly to get bent out of shape about when we as a nation are facing looming disaster.
quote:
Originally posted by canade:
Lyics to Stars Fell on Alabama

We lived our little drama,
We kissed in a field of white,
And stars fell on Alabama,
Last night.
I can't forget the glamor,
Your eyes held a tender light,
And stars fell on Alabama,
Last night
I never planned in my imagination,
A situation – so heavenly,
A fairy land where no one else could enter,
And in the center – just you and me.
My heart beat like a hammer,
My arms wound around you tight,
And stars fell on Alabama,
Last night.


I like Jimmy Buffett's version:

All right let's take it on down
from Muscle Shoals thru Decatur

mmmm Birmingham
ooo Montgomery!
Right up over Spanish Fort
into Mobile, my home town
quote:
Originally posted by kperk014:
quote:
Originally posted by canade:
Lyics to Stars Fell on Alabama

We lived our little drama,
We kissed in a field of white,
And stars fell on Alabama,
Last night.
I can't forget the glamor,
Your eyes held a tender light,
And stars fell on Alabama,
Last night
I never planned in my imagination,
A situation – so heavenly,
A fairy land where no one else could enter,
And in the center – just you and me.
My heart beat like a hammer,
My arms wound around you tight,
And stars fell on Alabama,
Last night.


I like Jimmy Buffett's version:

All right let's take it on down
from Muscle Shoals thru Decatur

mmmm Birmingham
ooo Montgomery!
Right up over Spanish Fort
into Mobile, my home town


Jimmy Buffett's version -

http://shoalandaspeaks.blogspo...a-if-you-havent.html

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