Legislation is once again being debated in Annapolis that would change the state’s controversial official song, “Maryland, My Maryland,” a confederate battle hymn that calls President Lincoln a “despot” and northerners “scum.”
But what should replace it? That’s the question that has tripped up similar legislation in past years. To solve that problem, I had a conversation with Bay Journal writer Rona Kobell, who published a blog article about the debate. We listened to – and ruled out -- several alternative tunes that might better represent what people love about Maryland.
In the end, Kobell suggested a song, “For the Land, Maryland,” by the great poet and bard of the Chesapeake Bay, Tom Wisner, who died in 2010. But I nominated a different Wisner tune, “Chesapeake Born” as the next official Maryland state song.
The song (with lyrics printed below) is earnest and memorable -- an environmental anthem to the beauty and history of the waterway that defines Maryland’s geography and culture. “Chesapeake Born” is also a reminder of who we are as a people and the natural wonder that we should be fighting to protect.
CHESAPEAKE BORN
By Tom Wisner. 1979
I'm Chesapeake born, I'm Chesapeake Free
I'm Chesapeake bound, flowing with ease.
I'm Chesapeake born, and bound to thee,
Indeed I am, Chesapeake free.
I'm the son of the rain, brother of the wind
I follow on the water, I got tobacco on my chin.
I seen forty years of sunshine, wind and rain.
If I had a chance, I'd do it all again.
She's the mother of the waters and the people of this land
Forty river children reach to take her by the hand
And flow through Maryland and Virginia to the sea,
Atlantic born, Atlantic bound and free.
I hear your song so clearly and I know that down inside
The mother of these waters is flowing deep and wide.
Sons and daughters of the waters life within,
Gentle voices blending with the wind.
I'm Chesapeake born, I'm Chesapeake Free
I'm Chesapeake bound, flowing with ease.
I'm Chesapeake born, and bound to thee,
Indeed I am, Chesapeake free.
