ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, February 14, 1997 TAG: 9702140012
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-9 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: KAY KOEHLER
WHAT DO you mean, Virginia doesn't need a state song? Every state in the Union should have a state everything, and a fair number already do.
Virginia's state flower, the dogwood, of course, isn't really a state flower so much as a state tree. A lot of states have those and don't even pretend they are flowers. South Carolina, for instance, has the palmetto. I am not sure if it is official, but South Carolina could certainly call the palmetto bug its state insect.
To be sure, Virginia already has the best state bird - the cardinal. The second best state bird is probably the one from the state where I grew up -Louisiana. It's the pelican, and it used to grace the license plates. There was something really appealing about the state bird being the only creature around with a bigger mouth than Gov. Long.
Pennsylvania has a state vegetable. At least they say they do. It is the mushroom, so I maintain it is really a state fungus.
Pennsylvania also has a state dog (Great Dane), fish (brook trout), insect (firefly) and even a state fossil, which I can neither spell nor pronounce.
North Carolina, I learned on a recent trip to the Outer Banks, has a state seashell. Several states even have state nuts. Hawaii has the macadamia, Georgia, the peanut. Virginia has a few candidates for that title, most of whom are in Richmond right now.
But it is state songs we are talking about.
I am not arguing in favor of Carrie Mae Back, which sort of sounds like a character from the Beverly Hillbillies, come to think of it. But that one is certainly no worse than the one that gets played at Churchill Downs every spring.
"My Old Kentucky Home" is about as politically incorrect as you can get. Line Two, for instance, says "the darkies are gay."
Tennessee has no less than six state songs, including "Tennessee Waltz" and "Rocky Top." California recognizes, not "California, Here I Come" but something called "California, I Love You" by some guy named Frankenstein. Maryland's state song has some noble-sounding words, sung to the tune of "Oh, Christmas Tree."
And speaking of trees, California has the largest, the redwood. Oh, and Rhode Island's state bird is a chicken.
Before I moved to Virginia from Arkansas, I got to watch that state's General Assembly argue about replacing the state song, for no better reason than that it was old-fashioned and corny. They finally declared it the official state "anthem" (no "emeritus for them. ... Most of the Arkansas legislators probably think that refers to a part of your anatomy) and replaced it with something contemporary and corny. Two somethings, actually, one by Wayne Holyfield.
And furthermore, "The Arkansas Traveler" is the official state historical song, and it isn't exactly politically correct, either.
But when Bill Clinton was growing up he sang (or at least was supposed to sing):
"Arkansas, Arkansas, 'tis the place I call home sweet home.
"Arkansas, Arkansas, from thy shelter no more I roam."
Arkansas, incidentally, has in addition to the state flower, the apple blossom; and bird, the mockingbird, such official state symbols as: state tree, the pine; gem, the diamond; insect, the honeybee; musical instrument, the fiddle; beverage, milk (gotcha ... bet you thought it was moonshine); fruit and blossom, South Arkansas vine ripe pink tomato; and both a state rock, the quartz crystal, and state mineral, bauxite.
Playing catch-up with all those other states ought to keep our distinguished legislators out of trouble for a while.
Kay Koehler, of Roanoke County, is a retired newspaper columnist for the Arkansas Gazette.
LENGTH: Medium: 71 linesby CNB