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Beautiful Ohio
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 | |
Regional anthem of  Ohio | |
| Lyrics | Wilbert McBride, 1989 |
|---|---|
| Music | Robert A. King, 1918 |
| Published | 1918 |
| Adopted | 1969 |
| Readopted | 1989 |
| Audio sample | |
"Beautiful Ohio", sung by Ruth Lenox (Pseudonym for Marie Morrisey) and Henry Burr, published c. January 1919. | |
"Beautiful Ohio" is the regional anthem of the U.S. state of Ohio, adopted in 1969 as the official state song.[2]
History
[edit]The first lyrics were written in 1918 by Ballard MacDonald and the music by Robert A. "Bobo" King, who used the pseudonym Mary Earl.[3] The melody is partly based on "Song of India" by Rimsky-Korsakov and "Beautiful Dreamer" by Stephen Foster. The original 1918 publication also featured a second obbligato voice, using the tune "Love's Old Sweet Song".[4]
A bill passed by the Ohio General Assembly in 1969 made it the state's official song, and in 1989 adopted an amendment to section 5.09 of the Ohio Revised Code which changed the original words to a new set, written by Wilbert McBride.[2]
"Beautiful Ohio" was originally written as a love song by Ballard MacDonald whose lyrics depict a "paradise of love divine." When McBride rewrote the lyrics for the 1989 version, he gave a much more accurate portrayal of Ohio by including things such as the state's cities and factories rather than two imaginary lovers.[3]
Recordings
[edit]
Popular versions in 1919 were by:[5]
- Henry Burr
- Waldorf-Astoria Dance Orchestra
- Prince's Orchestra
- Olive Kline & Marguerite Dunlap
- Fritz Kreisler
- Sam Ash
Jo Stafford included the song on her 1966 album Do I Hear a Waltz?
Modern use
[edit]Though "Beautiful Ohio" was originally written as a waltz, one version of the song is a march, arranged by Richard Heine. It is commonly performed by the Ohio State University Marching Band when traveling, including their appearance in the 2005 Inaugural Parade of President George W. Bush[6] and at the 2009 Inauguration of President Barack Obama.[7]
The original waltz version of the song is performed by the All Ohio State Fair Band (which holds shows multiple times a day during the Ohio State Fair) at the beginning of every performance.
The original waltz version of the song has been played at the end of cavern tours at Ohio Caverns in West Liberty, Ohio, since 1928.
Original lyrics
[edit]Long, long ago
Someone I know
Had a little red canoe,
In it room for only two.
Love found its start
Then in my heart,
And like a flower grew.
Chorus:
Drifting with the current down a moonlit stream,
While above the Heavens in their glory gleam,
And the stars on high
Twinkle in the sky,
Seeming in a paradise of love divine,
Dreaming of a pair of eyes that looked in mine.
Beautiful Ohio, in dreams again I see
Visions of what used to be.[8]
1989 lyrics
[edit]I sailed away;
Wandered afar;
Crossed the mighty restless sea;
Looked for where I ought to be.
Cities so grand, mountains above,
Led to this land I love.
Chorus:
Beautiful Ohio, where the golden grain
Dwarf the lovely flowers in the summer rain.
Cities rising high, silhouette the sky.
Freedom is supreme in this majestic land;
Mighty factories seem to hum a tune, so grand.
Beautiful Ohio, thy wonders are in view,
Land where my dreams all come true![9][10]
See also
[edit]- "Hang On Sloopy", official state rock song of Ohio[11]
References
[edit]- ^ "Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Victor matrix B-22474. Beautiful Ohio / Marguerite Dunlap; Olive Kline,"". Adp.library.ucsb.edu. Retrieved October 18, 2021.
- ^ a b "Ohio State Song". 50states.com. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
- ^ a b "Ohio's State Song - Beautiful Ohio - Ohio History Central". Ohiohistorycentral.org. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
- ^ "Beautiful Ohio (Earl, Mary) - IMSLP: Free Sheet Music PDF Download". Imslp.org. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (1986). Joel Whitburn's Pop Memories 1890-1954. Wisconsin, USA: Record Research Inc. p. 476. ISBN 0-89820-083-0.
- ^ Script Ohio, Evolution. Kappa Kappa Psi, Eta Chapter, 2004
- ^ "Songs of the Ohio State University". Sgsosu.net. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
- ^ "Songs of the Ohio State University - Beautiful Ohio". Archived from the original on 2007-05-04. Retrieved 2007-04-04.
- ^ "Section 5.09 - Ohio Revised Code | Ohio Laws". Codes.ohio.gov. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
- ^ "Ohio's State Song - Beautiful Ohio - Ohio History Central". Ohiohistorycentral.org. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
- ^ "Ohio's State Rock Song". Ohio Historical Society. July 1, 2005. Archived from the original on February 7, 2009. Retrieved March 27, 2009.
External links
[edit]- Streamed recordings of "Beautiful Ohio" as a waltz at the Ohio History Central online encyclopedia
- MP3 files of "Beautiful Ohio" as a march being played by the Ohio State University Marching Band
Beautiful Ohio
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Composition and Early History
Creation of the Melody
The melody of "Beautiful Ohio" was composed in 1918 by Mary Earl, a pseudonym employed by the prolific American songwriter Robert A. King, who was born Robert Keiser.[6] Originally conceived as a piano solo waltz, the piece exemplifies the transitional popular music styles of the late 1910s, blending sentimental lyricism with rhythmic elegance.[7] It was soon adapted for full orchestra and military band arrangements, broadening its appeal beyond the keyboard.[8] In its core form, "Beautiful Ohio" adheres to a triple meter (3/4 time) waltz framework, promoting a flowing, dance-like pulse.[9] The lyrical melody unfolds in F major, evoking warmth and romance through ascending phrases and gentle resolutions. This combination of elements contributed to its immediate popularity as an instrumental piece before vocal adaptations emerged.[10]Original Lyrics
The original lyrics of "Beautiful Ohio," written by Ballard MacDonald in 1918, portray a nostalgic romantic idyll, evoking memories of young love shared in a serene natural setting, far removed from any geographic specificity to the state of Ohio.[11] As a Tin Pan Alley lyricist known for sentimental ballads, MacDonald crafted the words to complement the waltz melody composed by Mary Earl, intending the song as a tender pop tune amid the era's World War I-induced longing for simpler, affectionate times.[12][13] The song follows a classic verse-chorus structure, with the verse establishing the origin of the romance through intimate imagery and the chorus expanding into a dreamlike reverie of drifting together under the stars, using natural elements like streams, moonlight, and flowers as metaphors for enduring love and paradise.[14]Verse
Long, long ago
Someone I know
Had a little red canoe
In it room for only two
Love found its start
Then in my heart
And like a flower grew[11]
Chorus
Drifting with the current down a moonlit stream
While above the heavens in their glory gleam
And the stars on high
Twinkle in the sky
Seeming in a paradise of love divine
Dreaming of a pair of eyes that looked in mine
Beautiful Ohio, in dreams again I see
Visions of what used to be[11]
Initial Publication and Popularity
"Beautiful Ohio" was first published in 1918 by Shapiro, Bernstein & Co. as sheet music for voice and piano, with music composed by Mary Earl (a pseudonym for Robert A. King) and lyrics by Ballard MacDonald.[15] The song quickly achieved commercial success, selling an impressive five million copies of sheet music and becoming the top-selling song of the year during the post-World War I era.[15] This rapid popularity reflected the booming sheet music market of Tin Pan Alley, where sentimental ballads like this waltz adaptation captured widespread appeal amid the era's social recovery and entertainment surge.[16] The song's dissemination extended beyond sheet music into various early 20th-century media formats. It appeared on player piano rolls, such as those produced by the Wurlitzer company, allowing mechanical reproduction in homes and public venues.[17] By the mid-1920s, as radio broadcasting emerged, "Beautiful Ohio" featured in early airwave performances, contributing to its enduring presence in American popular music.[16] Vaudeville stages also embraced the tune, with performers incorporating it into their acts during the transitional period from ragtime to jazz influences.[13] Culturally, "Beautiful Ohio" embodied the sentimental style prevalent in post-WWI popular music, evoking romantic imagery of drifting lovers on the Ohio River without any explicit ties to state pride or patriotism.[18] Its waltz-derived melody bridged the ragtime era's rhythmic vitality with the emerging jazz age's emotional depth, appealing to audiences seeking nostalgic escapism in sheet music parlors and emerging phonograph collections.[16] This broad, non-regional reception underscored its role as a quintessential Tin Pan Alley hit rather than a localized anthem.[15]Adoption and Evolution as State Song
1969 Adoption
In 1969, the Ohio General Assembly adopted "Beautiful Ohio" as the official state song through an amendment to Ohio Revised Code Section 5.09.[1] The legislation was passed through Ohio Revised Code, 133 v H 457, effective October 14, 1969.[4] The selection emphasized the song's evocative title and waltz-like melody, which conjured images of Ohio's scenic rivers and landscapes, even though the original lyrics by Ballard MacDonald depicted a romantic interlude rather than state-specific themes.[2] The adoption retained MacDonald’s 1918 lyrics without any immediate changes or revisions.[2] Following its designation, the song was incorporated into official state ceremonies and events.[4] This formalization aligned with a period in the late 1960s when numerous states established or updated official symbols to highlight regional heritage and identity.1989 Lyric Revision
In 1989, the Ohio General Assembly passed Senate Bill 33, amending Section 5.09 of the Ohio Revised Code to revise the lyrics of "Beautiful Ohio," the state's official song since 1969.[1] The amendment, effective November 6, 1989, incorporated special lyrics written by Wilbert B. McBride while retaining the original 1918 melody by Mary Earl (pseudonym of Robert A. King).[1] This legislative action replaced the previous version adopted in 1969, which had used the song's original romantic lyrics.[1] The revision stemmed from ongoing criticism that the original 1918 lyrics, penned by Ballard MacDonald, portrayed a sentimental "paradise of love divine" without specific references to Ohio's geography, history, or identity.[4] Rather than evoking the state's rivers, cities, or industrial heritage, the song's initial words focused on a vague, nostalgic romance, leading to perceptions that it inadequately represented Ohio as the official state song.[4] Lawmakers sought to address this mismatch by commissioning new lyrics that celebrated Ohio's natural beauty, such as golden grain fields and flowing rivers, alongside its economic strengths like bustling factories and rising urban skylines.[2] Wilbert B. McBride, a Youngstown attorney, was tasked with crafting the updated version to infuse a patriotic tone emphasizing themes of freedom, industry, and landscapes that define the Buckeye State.[4] His contributions transformed the song into a more regionally evocative anthem, highlighting Ohio's majestic vistas and communal harmony while preserving the melody's enduring appeal.[2] The 1989 changes effectively resolved early objections to the song's selection, reinforcing its legitimacy as Ohio's official emblem and ensuring broader acceptance in public and ceremonial contexts.[4]Lyrics
Original 1918 Lyrics
The original lyrics of "Beautiful Ohio," penned by Ballard MacDonald in 1918 and set to Mary Earl's waltz melody, form a sentimental love ballad that nostalgically recalls a romantic idyll on the Ohio River.[14] The structure features an introductory verse followed by a chorus. A second verse provides a shorter variation for Voice One, while Voice Two repeats the chorus, promoting singability through simple rhymes and rhythmic flow suited to early 20th-century popular music.Verse 1The lyrics employ vivid imagery of moonlight illuminating a gentle river current, twinkling stars overhead, and a shared canoe ride, symbolizing innocent, eternal love and wistful remembrance of youthful romance. This pastoral motif, combined with the chorus's repetitive invocation of "Beautiful Ohio," underscores themes of lost paradise and emotional longing, rendering the song a timeless expression of universal romantic nostalgia rather than a place-specific ode.[14] Historically, MacDonald's words were crafted as a generic love ballad, with "Ohio" alluding to the Ohio River as a evocative, non-literal setting for the lovers' reverie, untethered to the geographic or civic identity of the state itself.[14]
Long, long ago,
Someone I know,
Had a little red canoe,
In it room for only two,
Love found its start,
Then in my heart,
And like a flower grew.[14] Chorus
Drifting with the current down a moonlit stream,
While above the Heavens in their glory gleam,
And the stars on high,
Twinkle in the sky,
Seeming in a Paradise of love divine,
Dreaming of a pair of eyes that looked in mine,
Beautiful Ohio, in dreams again I see,
Visions of what used to be.[14] Verse 2 (Voice One)
Drifting in the moonlight
While the Heavens gleam
Ah------ Ah------
Seeming deep in love
Dreaming of your eyes
Beautiful Ohio in my dreams used to be.[14] Verse 2 (Voice Two)
[Repeats Chorus][14]
1989 State Lyrics
The 1989 state lyrics for "Beautiful Ohio" were specially written by Wilbert B. McBride, a Youngstown attorney, to provide a more accurate description of the state.[4][19] The full lyrics, as codified in the Ohio Revised Code, are as follows: Verse:I sailed away;
Wandered afar;
Crossed the mighty restless sea;
Looked for where I ought to be.
Cities so grand, mountains above,
Led to this land I love.[1] Chorus:
Beautiful Ohio, where the golden grain
Dwarf the lovely flowers in the summer rain.
Cities rising high, silhouette the sky.
Freedom is supreme in this majestic land;
Mighty factories seem to hum a tune, so grand.
Beautiful Ohio, thy wonders are in view,
Land where my dreams all come true These lyrics represent a deliberate shift from the original 1918 version's focus on personal romance to a celebration of state pride, evoking Ohio's diverse geography—including rolling farmlands with golden grain, Appalachian mountains, and urban skylines—and its industrial heritage through references to humming factories. The thematic emphasis on freedom and fulfilled dreams underscores ideals associated with American opportunity, while the structure preserves a simple verse-chorus form suited for communal singing.[1] The revision under the 1989 amendment to Ohio Revised Code Section 5.09 was intended to address the incongruity of the 1969 adoption, which had retained the unrelated love song lyrics, by rendering the song distinctly representative of Ohio's landscape, economy, and spirit.[1]