ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, February 1, 1997 TAG: 9702030031
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-3 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: TALLAHASSEE, FLA.
LAWMAKERS WHO find the song offensive are singing the same tune as some of their Virginia counterparts.
Another state song has hit a sour note.
Some Florida lawmakers say Stephen Foster's ``Old Folks at Home,'' known as ``Swanee River,'' is racially offensive and should be scrapped. The song, written in 1851, contains a reference to ``darkeys.''
``If it is written in dialect, then that is offensive to me and offensive to many people in this state,'' Rep. Les Miller said. ``I can guarantee I'll be leading the effort to change this.''
But Sen. Charles Williams said the song is ``part of Florida's history.'' ``There's nothing offensive about the song,'' he said.
This week, Virginia moved to ditch its song, ``Carry Me Back to Old Virginia,'' because of similar problems.
State Rep. Willie Logan is crafting legislation that would retire Florida's song and replace it with one selected or written by Florida schoolchildren. ``This song does bring some concern,'' he said.
Gov. Lawton Chiles' spokeswoman, April Herrle, said, ``It certainly is a song that, when you look at it, seems pretty dated.''
Adopted as the official state song by the 1935 Florida Legislature, it is performed at governors' inaugurations and other state events. The composition fondly recalls life on ``de old plantation'' and the friendly sounds of ``de banjo strumming.''
- Associated Press
LENGTH: Short : 38 linesby CNB