Controversy is heating up again over designation of an official state song, an honor that has been left in limbo since the dethroning of “Carry Me Back to Old Virginny” for its racist lyrics. Speaker of the House William J. Howell, R-Stafford, has introduced a bill to make “Our Great Virginia,” sung to the tune of “Shenandoah,” the new aria of the commonwealth. But Del. John O’Bannon, R-Henrico, told the Richmond Times-Dispatch that he would file a bill to recognize “Virginia, the Home of My Heart” written by Henrico resident Susan Greenbaum.
I’m biased: Susan is a friend of mine. But I think the melody is lovely and the words entirely suitable for a state song. (They’re so suitable that one might think she wrote it with the thought of nominating it as such, but she actually wrote it for her husband). Listen to the Youtube version of the song, like it, pass it around and run up the numbers to show your support.
— JAB
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