 |
MISSOURI STATE SYMBOLS
STATE SONG
"Missouri Waltz"
|
The “Missouri Waltz” became the state song under an act adopted by the General Assembly on June 30, 1949. The song, originally known as “Hush-a-bye, Ma Baby (Missouri Waltz),” is an arrangement by Frederick Knight Logan, melody by John V. Eppel and lyrics by J.R. Shannon. It was first published in 1912, and acquired in 1914 by Forster Publishing Company.
Prior to 1949, there was at least one other attempt to adopt an official Missouri state song. Gov. Herbert Hadley ran a contest in 1911 asking for an original song that would be suitable for the state. Many entries were received, and the lyrics to a song titled “Missouri” by Lizzie C. Hull were declared the winner. But, there was a problem. There was no music to accompany the lyrics! There was a somewhat half-hearted effort to set the words to music (see the photo gallery below), but ultimately it seems the Legislature and Governor simply gave up, and Hull’s “Missouri” never made it into law.
To learn about the origins of the “Missouri Waltz,” scroll to the bottom of the page and see the link on the song’s history.
Revised Statutes of Missouri (RSMo)
§10.050. State song. – The song “Missouri Waltz”, arranged by Frederick Knight Logan from a melody by John Valentine Eppel, with lyrics by J. R. Shannon, is the official state song of Missouri. (L. 1949 p. 275 § 1, RSMo 1949 § 10.100, A.L. 1957 p. 726)
approved 13 June 1957
effective 28 August 1957
Photo Gallery:
Click on an image below to enlarge and read a caption. This will open a new window in the Missouri State Symbols Flickr album.
Additional Resources:
Click here to read the lyrics and an essay on the history of the “Missouri Waltz.”
Click here to open a PDF of the 1949 souvenir edition sheet music to “Missouri Waltz.”
Click here to open a PDF of the c1911 sheet music to “Missouri,” a failed attempt at an official state song.
Click here to open a MIDI file of the music (no lyrics) to “Missouri Waltz.”
Back to State Symbols Main Page