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WASHINGTON (WMAL) – The Montgomery County Council introduced a resolution Tuesday to urge the Maryland General Assembly to replace Maryland’s State Song, “Maryland My Maryland,” and discourage its use at county events.
According to a press release from the office of Councilmember Evan Glass, the lyrics to the song are from a “nine-stanza poem written in 1861 by Confederacy-supporter James Ryder Randall.” In 1939, “Maryland My Maryland,” became Maryland’s official state song.
The release also mentions that the words of the song called for state residents to fight against the U.S. for the Confederacy.
All members of the county council sponsored the legislation.
“Our official state song is a vestige of a shameful past, Councilmember Will Jawando said. The current song is better off in our history books as a glaring symbol of the systemic racism in our state government and civil structure that puts Marylanders of color at a disadvantage. The Maryland state song should project today’s values of inclusion and anti-racism, and celebrate the diversity that makes Maryland our home.”
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