Grand State Of Maine

Album: State Songs (1939)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • "Grand State Of Maine" is the Official State Song of the, er, Grand State of Maine! It was written by Roger Vinton Snow (1890-1952) - who was a lawyer rather than a musician by profession - and was adopted as the State Song in 1939.
    The song itself is similar in content to the Welsh National Anthem "Land Of My Fathers" but obviously not as moving lyrically, because there was an attempt by a State legislator to have it replaced. What happened next was related by Roger Vinton Snow Junior in a 1999 interview with two researchers from Bates College:

    "When I was in the Senate, somebody in the House didn't like the State of Maine Song and thought we should have a different State of Maine Song. So there was a bill introduced to do something about a new State of Maine Song. And Herbert Payson, Charles' brother, was in the House when I was in the senate. He was a Republican and I was Democrat. He said, 'Did you see this bill, Roger?' I says, 'No.' And he says, 'Well.' I says, 'I can't go; I've got, to the hearing. Would you go?' And he went and he got up and said, 'Did you know that the father of the chairman of the Education Committee wrote this song?' And the sponsor dropped his bill. That was all that was necessary; an exercise of power. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Timothy B. Schmit of the Eagles

Timothy B. Schmit of the EaglesSongwriter Interviews

Did this Eagle come up with the term "Parrothead"? And what is it like playing "Hotel California" for the gazillionth time?

80s Video Director Jay Dubin

80s Video Director Jay DubinSong Writing

Billy Joel and Hall & Oates hated making videos, so they chose a director with similar contempt for the medium. That was Jay Dubin, and he has a lot to say on the subject.

Gilby Clarke

Gilby ClarkeSongwriter Interviews

The Guns N' Roses rhythm guitarist in the early '90s, Gilby talks about the band's implosion and the side projects it spawned.

Little Big Town

Little Big TownSongwriter Interviews

"When seeds that you sow grow by the wicked moon/Be sure your sins will find you out/Your past will hunt you down and turn to tell on you."

Dino Cazares of Fear Factory

Dino Cazares of Fear FactorySongwriter Interviews

The guitarist/songwriter explains how he came up with his signature sound, and deconstructs some classic Fear Factory songs.

Dave Edmunds

Dave EdmundsSongwriter Interviews

A renowned guitarist and rock revivalist, Dave took "I Hear You Knocking" to the top of the UK charts and was the first to record Elvis Costello's "Girls Talk."