"Michigan, My Michigan" is a popular anthem in the State of Michigan. The actual state song, "My Michigan", was formally adopted in 1937 but remains relatively obscure, partially because of the misconception that the official song is "Michigan, My Michigan". A 2003 bill to make the song an official state song failed to pass.[1]

History

Winifred Lee Brent Lyster of Detroit wrote the original 1862 lyrics of "Michigan, My Michigan" to the tune of "O Tannenbaum" (known in English as "O Christmas Tree"), and which was also the melody of "Maryland, My Maryland", a former state song of the state of Maryland. Her husband, Henry, was a physician who rose to be Medical Inspector and Acting Medical Director of III Corps in the Union Army. He served from the First Battle of Bull Run to the Battle of Appomattox Court House. Mrs. Lyster was inspired to write the song after the Battle of Fredericksburg.[2]

Major James W. Long of Grand Rapids wrote new lyrics in 1886 but kept the original tune and original Civil War sentiment. In 1902, Douglas Malloch wrote the current lyrics for a convention of the Michigan State Federation of Woman's Clubs in Muskegon. He deemed them more suitable for a peacetime anthem. A new tune was also composed for the song by composer W. Otto Miessner of Detroit.[3]

References

  1. Gibbons, Lauren, "The surprising stories behind Michigan's state symbols", MLive.com, retrieved 2019-10-21
  2. "Michigan's State Songs", Department of Natural Resources and Environment. State of Michigan. September 12, 2012, accessed 2013-06-12; Charles. History of Michigan. Chicago: Lewis Pub. Co., 1915, p. 2238-2241, accessed 2013-06-12.
  3. words by Douglas Malloch; music by W. Otto Miessner, sheet music at the Library of Michigan

Further reading

  • "History of Michigan Federation of Women's Clubs". Michigan History Magazine, Vol. XII (January, 1928), pp. 70–75.
  • "Historical Notes and Comment". Michigan History Magazine, Vol. IV, Nos. 2–3 (1920), pp. 394–395.
  • "Michigan, My Michigan". Historical Collections of the Michigan Pioneer and Historical Society, XXXV (1907), pp. 155–169.
  • "Michigan, My Michigan". Michigan History Magazine, Vol. II (1918), pp. 688–689.
  • "Michigan Song". Michigan History Magazine, Vol. XIII (1929), pp. 650–652.
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