Michigan Unofficial State Song

"Michigan, My Michigan"

Written by: William Otto Miessner & Douglas M. Malloch.

Adopted: Unofficial State Song

"My Michigan" was named "an" official song (not "the" official song) of the state in 1937.

"Michigan, My Michigan"

A song to thee, fair State of mine,
Michigan, my Michigan;
But greater song than this is thine,
Michigan, my Michigan;
The whisper of the forest tree,
The thunder of the inland sea;
Unite in one grand symphony
Of Michigan, my Michigan.

I sing a State of all the best,
Michigan, my Michigan;
I sing a State with riches blest,
Michigan, my Michigan;
Thy mines unmask a hidden store,
But richer thy historic lore,
More great the love thy builders bore,
Oh, Michigan, my Michigan.

How fair the bosom of thy lakes,
Michigan, my Michigan;
What melody each river makes;
Michigan, my Michigan;
As to thy lakes the rivers tend,
Thy exiled children to thee send
Devotion that shall never end,
Oh, Michigan, my Michigan.

Thou rich in wealth makes a State,
Michigan, my Michigan;
Thou great in things that make us great,
Michigan, my Michigan;
Out loyal voices sound thy claim
Upon the golden roll of fame
Our loyal hands shall write the name
Of Michigan, my Michigan.

 

Origin of Song:

"Michigan, My Michigan"—known and sung since the Civil War—has long been considered Michigan's "unofficial" state song. Another, "My Michigan," has been all but forgotten except in the records of the Michigan legislature. "My Michigan" was named "an" official song (not "the" official song) of the state in 1937.

Sung to the melody of the Christmas song "O Tannenbaum."