"Rhode Island's It For Me" is the

regional anthem An anthem is a musical composition of celebration, usually used as a symbol for a distinct group, particularly the national anthems of countries. Originally, and in music theory and religious contexts, it also refers more particularly to short s ...

of the U.S. state of Rhode Island. It was officially adopted as the

state song Forty-eight of the fifty U.S. states have one or more state songs, a type of regional anthem, which are selected by each state legislature as a symbol (or emblem) of that particular U.S. state. Some U.S. states have more than one official state ...

in 1996, replacing "Rhode Island", by T. Clarke Browne, which became the official state march.

History

The lyrics were written by Charlie Hall, the music was written by Maria Day, and the piece was arranged by Kathryn Chester. Hall, a

comedian A comedian or comic is a person who seeks to entertain an audience by making them laugh. This might be through jokes or amusing Amusement is the state of experiencing humorous and entertaining events or situations while the person or a ...

, was known for poking fun at Rhode Island in the songs composed for the comedy troupes of "Charlie Hall's Ocean State Follies". Asked at some point after 1992 if he could write something good about the state, Hall penned "Rhode Island's It for Me". The narrator describes falling in love with and finding a home in Rhode Island, despite the having visited every other U.S. state. Much of the song uses ocean imagery, and references to Rhode Island's historic neighborhoods, landmarks, and leaders, including College Hill, the Jewelry District, the

State House State may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Literature * ''State Magazine'', a monthly magazine published by the U.S. Department of State * ''The State'' (newspaper), a daily newspaper in Columbia, South Carolina, United States * ''Our S ...

, and

Roger Williams Roger Williams (21 September 1603between 27 January and 15 March 1683) was an English-born New England Puritan minister, theologian, and author who founded Providence Plantations, which became the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantation ...

Lyrics

I’ve been to every state we have and I think that I'm inclined to say that Rhody stole my heart You can keep the forty nine. Herring gulls that dot the sky, blue waves that paint the rocks, waters rich with Neptune's life, the boats that line the docks, I see the lighthouse flickering to help the sailors see. There's a place for everyone: Rhode Island, it's for me. Rhode Island, oh, Rhode Island surrounded by the sea. Some people roam the earth for home; Rhode Island, it's for me. I love the fresh October days, the buzz on College Hill, art that moves an eye to tear, a jeweler’s special skill. Icicles refract the sun, snow falling gracefully. Some search for a place that’s warm: Rhode Island, it's for me. Rhode Island, oh, Rhode Island surrounded by the sea. Some people roam the earth for home; Rhode Island, it's for me. The skyline piercing Providence, the State House dome so rare, residents who speak their minds; No longer unaware! Roger Williams would be proud to see his “colony” so don't sell short this precious port: Rhode Island, it's for me. Rhode Island, oh, Rhode Island surrounded by the sea. Some people roam the earth for home; Rhode Island, it's for me. Rhode Island, oh, Rhode Island surrounded by the sea. Some people roam the earth for home: Rhode Island, it's for me! ''By Charlie Hall''

An audio version of the song can be hear
here

History

Song origin

Some sources suggest that local comedian Charlie Hall wrote the song after his second cousin Providence Mayor Vincent A. "Buddy" Cianci challenged Hall's frequent criticisms of Rhode Island. Cianci was likely referencing Hall's production of "Ocean State Follies" and "Rhode Bytes", both highly popular comedy shows that mocked state culture and political affairs, as well as Hall's leadership in the Rhode Island Comedy Festival. The song was first sung during Hall's "Ocean State Follies," and was performed on the show for years, with an overwhelmingly positive audience reception, before gaining lawmakers' attention as a contender for state song. Congress prompted some rewrites to the lyrics, seeking expansion and diversification of state references, but ultimately approved the song and officially adopted it on July 29, 1996.

Notable performances

1995

Maria Day sang "Rhode Island, It's for Me" at the closing of the Rhode Island gubernatorial inauguration of Lincoln C. Almond, on January 3, 1995.

2014

On March 26, 2014, candidate for Rhode Island governor Todd J. Giroux began his campaign by leading a fourth grade field trip to the Statehouse in a chorus of "Rhode Island, It's for Me".

Criticism

The official designation of "Rhode Island, It's for Me" came under some criticism for its inaccurate and allegedly unsophisticated lyrics. One 1996 editorial for ''The Providence Journal'' suggested the song could have been "better composed by a third-grade gym class." The author also raised concerns over the lyrics' false affirmation of Rhode Island as a literal island.

References

External links

Rhode Island state government web page of the song

with

Sheet music Sheet music is a handwritten or printed form of musical notation that uses List of musical symbols, musical symbols to indicate the pitches, rhythms, or chord (music), chords of a song or instrumental Musical composition, musical piece. Like ...

and MIDI File {{List of U.S. state songs Music of Rhode Island Songs about Rhode Island Symbols of Rhode Island United States state songs