California State Song

"I Love You California"

Lyrics by F.B. Silverwood and
Music by A.F. Frankenstein
Published 1913

Adopted on April 26 1951 .

In 1951, the State Legislature passed a resolution designating it as California's state song.

"I Love You California"

I love you, California, you're the greatest state of all
I love you in the winter, summer, spring, and in the fall.
I love your fertile valleys; your dear mountains I adore,
I love your grand old ocean and I love her rugged shore.

chorus

I love your redwood forests - love your fields of yellow grain,
I love your summer breezes, and I love your winter rain,
I love you, land of flowers; land of honey, fruit and wine,
I love you, California; you have won this heart of mine.

chorus

I love your old gray Missions - love your vineyards streteching far,
I love you, California, with your Golden Gate ajar,
I love your purple sunsets, love your skies of azure blue,
I love you, California; I just can't help loving you.

chorus

I love you, Catalina - you are very dear to me,
I love you, Tamalpais, and I love Yosemite,
I love you, Land of Sunshine, half your beauties are untold,
I loved you in my childhood, and I'll love you when I'm old.

chorus

When the snow crowned Golden Sierras
Keep their watch o'er the valleys bloom.
It is there I would be in our land by the sea,
Ev'ry breeze bearing rich perfume,
It is here nature gives of her rarest,
It is Home Sweet Home to me.
And I know when I die I shall breathe my last sigh
For my sunny California.

Origin of Song:

California's official state song, 'I Love You California'... has been the state's official ditty since 1948 when lawmakers approved an official resolution to that effect. But thanks to legislation signed into law last week by Governor Deukmajian, the song was raised to a higher status. Actually, despite that higher status, 'I Love You California' is officially an official state song because the state Senate refused to pass the bill unless the word 'the' was changed to 'an'. However, even as an official state song it remains the only official state song. Most Californians no doubt believe that the official state song is 'California Here I Come,' which is performed at nearly all political rallys by both parties. With its reference to 'open up your golden gates', the song has long been a sentimental favorite for San Franciscans. But despite the efforts of former Assemblyman John O'Connell ... and Assemblyman Dan Hauser ... lawmakers have refused to budge from the more staid 'I Love You California'.--San Francisco Chronicle, September 27, 1988, p. B 3.

"I Love You, California", written by F.B. Silverwood, a Los Angeles merchant. The words were subsequently put to music by Alfred Frankenstein, a former conductor for the Los Angeles Symphony Orchestra. It was the official song of expositions held in San Francisco and San Diego in 1915, and was played aboard the first ship to go through the Panama Canal. In 1951, the State Legislature passed a resolution designating it as California's state song. During the years following, several attempts were made to make other songs such as "California, Here I Come" the official state song. Finally, in 1988, "I Love You, Califomia" became the official state song by law.