Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, September 15, 1995 TAG: 9509150041
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DAN CASEY
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Jackie Wilkerson, Roanoke.
The background:
It sounds a bit wacky, but this is one whale of a loaded question. Ever since 1970, when Douglas Wilder was sworn in as the first black state senator since Reconstruction, state lawmakers have tried to tinker with "Carry Me Back to Old Virginia." It's little wonder why. The song's lyrics are written from the point of view of slaves pining sentimentally for their plantation days. Among other things, the lyrics refer to blacks as "darkies" and a plantation owner as "Old Massa" - references many blacks find offensive. As a consequence, the tune is hardly ever sung in public.
Perhaps a little ironically, "Carry Me Back" is the work of a black composer, James Bland. One of 600 songs by Bland, it was written in the 1870s for a white minstrel troupe that performed in blackface before a white audience.
But there's no evidence the New York-born Bland ever set foot in Virginia. By contrast, "Sweet Virginia Breeze" is a pop tune by Robbin Thompson and Steve Bassett and recorded more than a decade ago by the Richmond-based Robbin Thompson Band. Its lyrics are heavy with dogwood trees, the Blue Ridge Mountains, birds singing and sweet breezes blowing. It can be heard in the background of a radio commercial urging listeners to buy Virginia products.
The General Assembly's role:
On this issue, the General Assembly has a pretty free reign. It could reject the notion of any state song; adopt an "alternative" state song without officially dumping "Carry Me Back;" fix the offensive language in the current song; or find another song like "Sweet Virginia Breeze." (The Rolling Stones' "Sweet Virginia" also comes to mind, but that tune also has lyrics people might find offensive.) All of these alternatives have been considered over the years by the General Assembly - and ultimately rejected. One lawmaker in 1991 even jokingly offered an amendment making the Kingsmen's old college drinking song "Louie, Louie," the official anthem of the House. Its lyrics, argued Del. Jay DeBoer, D-Petersburg, wouldn't offend anyone because they are "unintelligible at any speed."
The answers
The question was directed to the candidates for the Senate seat that represents Roanoke and most of Roanoke County.
Sen. Brandon Bell (R) "I do think the song itself should be dealt with. There is offensive language in it. You've got a state song that no one uses. We ought to take a look at that and consider a replacement ... but I'm not convinced 'Sweet Virginia Breeze' is the one. Either change the song or change the language."
John Edwards (D):"A state song should be a musical celebration of our Commonwealth and its best traditions. It should make all of us proud to be Virginians and should not be offensive to any group. 'Sweet Virginia Breeze' is an enjoyable, recently popular top 40 song. Whether it has the long-term popular support to be officially designated the state song is too early to tell."
Also on the record:
Bell in 1994 voted for a bill sponsored by Sen. Madison Marye, D-Shawsville, that would have changed the offensive lyrics. It passed the Senate, 35-2. But, arguing that the song would still conjure up images offensive to blacks, the General Assembly's black caucus persuaded the House of Delegates to amend the measure and do away with the tune's designation as state song altogether. When it went back to the Senate, Marye withdrew it.
An unscientific call-in poll by The Roanoke Times in 1994, in which readers were asked if they wanted the song rewritten, drew 1,341 responses. The result: 48 percent of respondents sided with keeping the current song; 24 percent liked Marye's rewrite; 27 percent wanted the state to commission a Virginia musician to write a new one.
Got a question for the candidates? Send it to Citizens' Agenda, The Roanoke Times, P.O. Box 2491, Roanoke, VA 24010, or fax it to 981-3346 or e-mail dyanceyinfi.net. Please include your name, address, daytime phone number and specify which candidates your question is for.
Keywords:
POLITICS
by CNB