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"Rhode Island's It For Me" is the regional anthem of the
U.S. state In the United States, a state is a constituent political entity, of which there are 50. Bound together in a political union, each state holds governmental jurisdiction over a separate and defined geographic territory where it shares its so ...
of
Rhode Island Rhode Island ( ) is a state in the New England region of the Northeastern United States. It borders Connecticut to its west; Massachusetts to its north and east; and the Atlantic Ocean to its south via Rhode Island Sound and Block Is ...
. It was officially adopted as the
state song A national anthem is a patriotic musical composition symbolizing and evoking eulogies of the history and traditions of a country or nation. The majority of national anthems are marches or hymns in style. American, Central Asian, and European ...
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 (feminine comedienne) or comic is a person who seeks to entertainment, entertain an audience by making them laughter, laugh. This might be through jokes or amusing situations, or acting foolishly (as in slapstick), or employing prop c ...
, 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 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, and
Roger Williams Roger Williams (March 1683) was an English-born New England minister, theologian, author, and founder of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, Providence Plantations, which became the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Pl ...
.


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's it for me. Rhode Island, oh, Rhode Island surrounded by the sea. Some people roam the earth for home; Rhode Island's it 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's it for me. Rhode Island, oh, Rhode Island surrounded by the sea. Some people roam the earth for home; Rhode Island's it 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's it for me. Rhode Island, oh, Rhode Island surrounded by the sea. Some people roam the earth for home; Rhode Island's it for me. Rhode Island, oh, Rhode Island surrounded by the sea. Some people roam the earth for home: Rhode Island's it 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's It 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's It for Me".


Criticism

The official designation of "Rhode Island's It 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 musical symbols to indicate the pitches, rhythms, or chords of a song or instrumental musical piece. Like its analogs – printed Book, books or Pamphlet, pamphlets ...
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