Massachusetts Polka State Song

"Say Hello to Someone in Massachusetts"

Words and music by Lenny Gomulka

Adopted on October 1, 1998.

"Say Hello to Someone in Massachusetts", adopted on October 1, 1998.

"Say Hello to Someone in Massachusetts"

So they say you booked a flight and you'll be leaving.
Is it business, is it pleasure, is it both.
And they say that you'll be landing in New England,
What a perfect time of year you chose to go,
The weather's fine out there, this time of year is lovely.
With all the color and the mountainside to view,
And the people there are friendlier than ever,
So to fit right in here's what you've got to do.

Say hello to someone in Massachusetts,
Tip your hat to every lady that you meet,
Shake a hand, you'll make a friend in Massachusetts,
That New England old-time custom can't be beat.

So they say you've never been to Massachusetts,
Are you ready to be pleasantly surprised,
Between the scenery and the folks in Massachusetts,
All the beauty you just won't believe your eyes,
Home of the University of Massachusetts,
The Boston Red Sox, Patriots, B-Ball Hall of Fame,
Just talk the talk and walk the walk in Massachusetts,
Soon they all will know and call you by your name.

Say hello to someone in Massachusetts,
Tip your hat to every lady that you meet,
Shake a hand, you'll make a friend in Massachusetts,
That New England old-time custom can't be beat.

Origin of Song:

GENERAL LAWS OF MASSACHUSETTS
PART I.
ADMINISTRATION OF THE GOVERNMENT
TITLE I.
JURISDICTION AND EMBLEMS OF THE COMMONWEALTH, THE GENERAL COURT, STATUTES AND PUBLIC DOCUMENTS
CHAPTER 2. ARMS, GREAT SEAL AND OTHER EMBLEMS OF THE COMMONWEALTH
Chapter 2: Section 44 Polka of the commonwealth
Section 44. The words and music of ""Say Hello to Someone in Massachusetts'' by Lenny Gomulka shall be the official polka of the commonwealth.

by Ray Kelly - staff writer - Springfield Union News (MA)

SPRINGFIELD - Puritans probably never did the polka, but that hasn't tripped up an effort to establish an official state polka song.

The Legislature has been asked to deem "Say Hello to Someone in Massachusetts" the official polka of the commonwealth. The song was written by Lenny Gomulka, a Chicago native who moved to Indian Orchard in 1990.

The song is featured on Gomulka's latest album, the Grammy-nominated "Home Is Where the Heart Is."

The idea to proclaim "Say Hello to Someone in Massachusetts" the state's official polka was the brainchild of Mitch Moskal, who has been the host of the Early Bird Polka Show on WMUA-FM, the student-run radio station of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst for 10 years.

Moskal, who is also general manager of Parsons Paper Co. In Holyoke, said yesterday that "Say Hello to Someone in Massachusetts" is the first polka he has come across that contains references to Massachusetts. He said he was moved by Gomulka's love of the Bay State.

"Lenny is one of the most positive people in the polka field," Moskal said. "Here is a guy who moved here and appreciates Massachusetts so much that he wrote a song about it."

At Moskal's urging, state Rep. Paul E. Caron, D-Springfield, whose district includes Indian Orchard, filed legislation last week to honor "Say Hello to Someone in Massachusetts." A hearing has yet to be scheduled before the Committee on State Administration.

Caron said he would like to bring Gomulka and his band, The Chicago Push, to Beacon Hill to perform for the committee.

Although polkas are often associated with Polish-Americans, Caron, who is of French heritage, recalled how his parents would often listen to polkas on the radio.

"The music has an appeal that goes beyond cultural boundaries," he said.

Establishing a state polka song would also pay tribute to the contributions of the Polish-Americans, Caron said.

If approved, Gomulka's polka would join three other songs honored by the state: Arlo Guthrie's "Massachusetts," the official state fol song; "Massachusetts (Because of You Our Land is Free)," the official patriotic tune; and "All Hail to Massachusetts," the state's official song.

Moskal said he will seek support from a dozen or so polka radio shows across the state in lobbying legislators.

The attention has caught Gomulka a bit off guard.

"I'm just tickled about this," the eight-time Grammy nominee said. "I can't explain how happy I am."

Gomulka said he first performed in Western Massachusetts in the late 1960's. He and his wife, Estelle, decided to move here eight years ago.

"I've made so many friends. I feel like I have lived here 35 years," Gomulka said.

"Say hello to Someone in Massachusetts" was written during a car ride last spring, he said. Gomulka dictated the song into a hand-held recorder as he drove.

"I take a lot of pride in being here in Massachusetts," he said. "I tried to write about the things that this area has - - Like beautiful scenery and warm handshakes."

Visit Lenny at Lenny Gomulka & The Chicago Push