Volume 9 , Issue 4

Oklahoma's State Folk Song

"Oklahoma Hills -- "Oklahoma Hills" is a song written by Woody Guthrie. Leon "Oke" Guthrie, Woody's cousin, later improved the lyrics and music and in 1946 recorded a Western swing version. Leon's version is the most well known and most recorded. Country singer Hank Thompson, joined by His Brazos Valley Boys, also recorded a well-known version of "Oklahoma Hills." Thompson's western swing rendition reached No. 10 on the Billboard magazine Hot C&W Singles chart in 1961. In 2001 the Oklahoma State Legislature declared Woody's version the official state folk song.

Many a month has come and gone

Since I wandered from my home

In those Oklahoma hills where I was born.

Many a page of life has turned,

Many a lesson I have learned;....."

Info LINKS: Woodyguthrie.org Oklahoma Statue Info

Adoption of State Folk Song -- The song, "Oklahoma Hills", words and music by Woody and Jack Guthrie, was adopted by the Oklahoma Legislature as the official folk song of Oklahoma on April 5, 2001. It was signed into law by the Governor on April 10, 2001.

Oklahoma General Statutes -- "The following information is excerpted from the Oklahoma Statutes. Within Title 25 of the code, there are three sections related to the state folk song. The first declares that the words and music of "Oklahoma Hills" are the official folk song of Oklahoma. A provision is also made for the custody of the the official state song: the State Librarian at the State Library. Thirdly, the words to the song are codified in the Oklahoma Statutes. TITLE 25. DEFINITIONS AND GENERAL PROVISIONS ?25-94.8. State Folk Song. The official Oklahoma State Folk Song is hereby declared to be the words and music of the song "Oklahoma Hills", composed and written by Woody Guthrie and Jack Guthrie. Except for nonprofit educational use, state use of the state folk song shall be preceded by notice of the intended nonprofit use to the copyright holder. Added by Laws 2001, c. 47, ? 1, eff. Nov. 1, 2001."   |  View or Add Comments (0 Comments)   |   Receive updates ( subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

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