
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, March 8, 1994                   TAG: 9403080199
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: 1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: By DAVID M. POOLE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RICHMOND                                LENGTH: Short

THE SONG REMAINS THE SAME: MARYE WITHDRAWS LEGISLATION TO CHANGE `CARRY ME

State Sen. Madison Marye thought he was ``doing the right thing'' when he introduced legislation that would remove racially offensive lyrics from the official state song, ``Carry Me Back to Old Virginia.''

So it came as a shock to the 68-year-old cattle farmer from Montgomery County last week when the black caucus persuaded the House of Delegates to go one step further and do away with the tune's designation as state song altogether.

``I kind of like the melody,'' Marye said after he withdrew his bill on Monday. The move means ``Carry Me Back to Old Virginia'' - written from the point of view of ``darkeys'' pining for the ``Old Massa'' of the plantation - will remain the official state song for one more year.

Marye's bill sought to rehabilitate the song by replacing the words ``darkey'' with '`dreamer'' and ``Old Massa'' with ``my loved ones.''

``It's not my job to be a reformer,'' Marye said. ``I was just trying to do what was right.''

The General Assembly's black caucus, however, argued that tinkering with the lyrics would make the song no less offensive. The tune, written by a black minstrel, still would conjure images demeaning to African-Americans, caucus members said.

Del. William Robinson, D-Norfolk, said he may try to repeal the song again next year.

``It does not clothe, feed or house anyone,'' Robinson said. ``But I have had more calls supporting the song's repeal in a short period of time than in the entire 13 years I have been here.''

Keywords:
GENERAL ASSEMBLY 1994

by CNB