For those who follow such things, the question about a state song for
the commonwealth still lingers. An article in yesterday's Washington
Post
(http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/01/25/AR20060
12502212.html) states that a Senate panel is recommending "Shenandoah"
as the "interim official state song." With the recent discussion about
the lack of adherence to historical fact in Terence Malick's "New
World," one has to wonder why "Shenandoah," which has nothing to do with
Virginia, is so closely associated with the state. The state senator
promoting the song (Colgan, D-Prince William) basically said, so what if
the song has nothing to do with Virginia; everyone knows it. He thinks
we need to have a state song for 2007. I find the debate amusing.
 
Incidentally, the Post article said that Virginia was the only state
without an official state song. Today, the Post corrected that
statement. Seems that New Jersey doesn't have one, either.
 
Barbara C. Batson
Exhibitions Coordinator
The Library of Virginia
800 East Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23219-8000
804-692-3518
 
 

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