Bill Text: MS SB2132 | 2017 | Regular Session | Introduced

---

Bill Title: Official Mississippi State Songs; designate Official Traditional Country Song and Official Traditional Blues Song.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Failed) 2017-01-31 - Died In Committee [SB2132 Detail]

Download: Mississippi-2017-SB2132-Introduced.html

---

MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2017 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Tollison

Senate Bill 2132

     AN ACT TO DESIGNATE "MISS THE MISSISSIPPI AND YOU" BY JIMMIE RODGERS AS THE OFFICIAL TRADITIONAL COUNTRY SONG OF MISSISSIPPI AND TO DESIGNATE "CROSS ROAD BLUES" BY ROBERT JOHNSON AS THE OFFICIAL TRADITIONAL BLUES SONG OF MISSISSIPPI; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

     WHEREAS, the State of Mississippi has no official state song because "Go, Mississippi" was declared the official state song under House Concurrent Resolution No. 67 (1962 Regular Session) and was never enacted as a statute and codified as other official state emblems and designations; and

     WHEREAS, the official state song of Mississippi should reference the rich music traditions of the state which are performed and celebrated by music lovers across the state, country and internationally; and

     WHEREAS, the extensive history and diversity of the State of Mississippi require the designation of two official state songs that can be sung with pride and affection; and

     WHEREAS, Jimmie Rodgers of Meridian, Mississippi, "The Father of Country Music," has had a profound impact on all of our lives and touched our souls with his simple but unique way with music.  "Miss the Mississippi and You" by Jimmie Rodgers in 1932 meets the melodic and lyrical requirements for a state song, the words of which are as follows:

MISS THE MISSISSIPPI AND YOU

I'm growing tired of the big city lights

Tired of the glamour, tired of the size

I'm always dreaming of roaming once more

Back to my home on the old river shoreDays are dark and dreary everywhere I roam

How I long for Mississippi and you

Nothing seems to cheer me under heaven's door

How I miss the Mississippi and you

 

Roaming the wide world over

Always alone and blue, so blue

I am sad and weary, longing to go home

Yes, I miss the Mississippi and you

 

Mockingbirds are singing 'round the cabin door

While I dream of Mississippi and you

And my memories are bringing happy days of yore

I have spent in Mississippi with you

 

Roaming the wide world over

Always alone and blue, so blue

Longing for my homeland on that muddy water shore

Yes, I miss the Mississippi and you

The Mississippi and you

     WHEREAS, "Cross Road Blues" (more commonly known as "Crossroads") is a blues song written and recorded by Mississippi Blues Artist Robert Johnson in 1936.  Johnson performed it as a solo piece with his vocal and acoustic slide guitar in the Delta blues-style.  The song has become part of the Robert Johnson mythology as referring to the place where he supposedly sold his soul to the Devil in exchange for his musical talents, although the lyrics do not contain any specific references.  Renown English Guitarist Eric Clapton with Cream popularized the song as "Crossroads" in the late 1960s.  "Cross Road Blues" meets the melodic and lyrical requirements for a state song, the words of which are as follows:

CROSSROADS

I went down to the crossroads, fell down on my knees.

I went down to the crossroads, fell down on my knees.

Asked the Lord above for mercy, "Save me if you please."

 

I went down to the crossroads, tried to flag a ride.

I went down to the crossroads, tried to flag a ride.

Nobody seemed to know me, everybody passed me by.

 

I'm going down to Rosedale, take my rider by the side.

I'm going down to Rosedale, take my rider by the side.

You can still barrel house, baby, on the riverside.

 

You can run, you can run, tell my friend-boy Willie Brown.

You can run, you can run, tell my friend-boy Willie Brown.

And I'm standing at the crossroads, believe I'm sinking down; NOW, THEREFORE,

     BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

     SECTION 1.  The following are hereby designated the official state songs of the State of Mississippi:

          (a)  Traditional Country Song, "Miss the Mississippi and You" by Jimmie Rodgers;

          (b)  Traditional Blues Song, "Cross Road Blues" by Robert Johnson; and

          (c)  Song Emeritus, "Go, Mississippi" adopted under House Concurrent Resolution No. 67 (1962 Regular Session).

     SECTION 2.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2017.