I recently did a story about the new state anthem proposed by Rep. Dave Murzin under HB 463, (See my story at www.crestviewbulletin.com.) a tune composed by Col. Graham Fountain, a Crestview native, and his church’s creative arts pastor, Warren Halstrom.

It’s a neat song, and as an anthem, is completely separate from the current tempest in a teapot over the charming old Stephen Foster ballad that currently serves admirably as our state song.

I wrote Don Gaetz, our state senator, to support the proposal wholeheartedly and hope when a Senate version is introduced, he will vote in favor of making “Oh Florida, My Sweet Home” the official state anthem. I hope you’ll write your state legsilators and support it as well.

I also express to Sen. Gaetz my support for keeping the current state song, “The Old Folks at Home.” I have listened to the proposed alternative, “Florida: Where the Sawgrass Meets  the Sky,” and find it not only sickeningly maudlin, but feel it would be a syrupy embarrassment to the state should it be adopted over the charming, historic Stephen Foster tune.

Following the debate, as I understand it, the main concern against Foster’s classic American tune is that some object to the line, “Still longing for the old plantation.” I agree that this can be construed to express sympathy for the antebellum era, which many citizens of our state find unpleasant. But rather than tossing the proverbial baby out with the bathwater, why not introduce legislation to just to change the line rather than replacing the whole song? I humbly submitted:

“Still longing for my dear old homestead.”

There is historic precedence for altering Foster’s admittedly dated lyrics: When the song was adopted by the Legislature in the 1930s as the state song, the word “darkies” became “brothers.”

Another argument I’ve heard is that Stephen Foster wasn’t from Florida. As a reminder, the author of our national anthem was a British nobleman, his words set to an English drinking song. (And the composer of the proposed “Sawgrass” tune is an Englishwoman!) As a child growing up in New Jersey, I couldn’t wait for the day when I’d get to visit Florida, never even daring to hope I might someday live here. One can develop a fondness and express affection for a distant place one has never seen, and as Foster has proven, one can do it eloquently.

Meanwhile, visit our Web site to hear an audio clip of “Oh Florida, My Sweet Home.” I think you’ll agree it’ll make a very suitable anthem. And if you happen to hear a clip of “Florida: Where the Sawgrass Meets the Sky,” be sure to spread something to protect your desktop from the torrent of treacle that’ll spew from your speakers.

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