Old New Hampshire
Encyclopedia
"Old New Hampshire" is the original and official state song of the U.S. state
of New Hampshire
. The words were written by Dr. John F. Holmes and music composed by Maurice Hoffmann in 1926. In "Old New Hampshire" was chosen to be the "official" state song first in 1949, then again in November 1977, by the State Song Selection Board. New Hampshire has eight "honorary" state songs, and no other official songs.
wrote the song's lyrics. Maurice Hoffman, Jr., the Franklin Street Congregational Church organist
of Manchester
, wrote the music. The 1941 General Court
voted against making it the state song, and the 1943 General Court killed a bill public contest with cash prizes, to pick a state song. In 1949, the General Court voted in favor of designating "Old New Hampshire" as the state song.
In 1963, the legislature approved "New Hampshire, My New Hampshire", by Julius Richelson and Walter P. Smith of Plymouth
, as the "Second State Song". The "Third State Song", designated by the legislature in 1973, was "New Hampshire Hills", with music by Tom Powers of Detroit, Michigan
, son of retired Director Edward Powers of the State Sweepstakes Commission, and the late Paul Scott Mowrer
, state poet laureate
.
In March 1977, "Autumn in New Hampshire," by Leo Austin of Warner
, was added as the "Fourth State Song". The addition of this song coincided with the creation of an interim board to recommend one "official" state song and designate the remainder of songs as "honorary".
In June 1977, another song law was enacted by the General Court which added four more songs to the listing of state songs, with a stipulation that if none were chosen by the Board as the official state song, they would become "honorary" state songs. The four songs were: "New Hampshire's Granite State" by Annie B. Currier of Londonderry
; "Oh, New Hampshire (You're My Home)" by Brownie Macintosh of Hampton
; "The Old Man of the Mountain" by Paul Belanger of Berlin
, and "The New Hampshire State March" by Rene Richards of Nashua
.
The State Song Selection Board consisted of Rep. Richardson D. Benton of Chester
, who was the Board's coordinator; William E. Elwell of Portsmouth
, who became chairman, Ted Hebert and Robert F. Thibeault of Manchester, who were all named by the Governor of New Hampshire
and Council
; Senator Robert F. Bossie of Manchester, named by the Senate President; and Rep. Jane F. Sanders of Alton Bay
, named by the House Speaker.
On November 29, 1977, the announcement of the name of the official song was made in Representatives Hall. Gale Thomson
, wife of Governor Meldrim Thomson, Jr.
, drew the choice from a sealed envelope in which the name had been placed by the Board.
In 1983, "New Hampshire Naturally," with words and music by Rick and Ron Shaw, was added to the list of state songs listed in RSA
3:7.
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of New Hampshire
New Hampshire
New Hampshire is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state was named after the southern English county of Hampshire. It is bordered by Massachusetts to the south, Vermont to the west, Maine and the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Canadian...
. The words were written by Dr. John F. Holmes and music composed by Maurice Hoffmann in 1926. In "Old New Hampshire" was chosen to be the "official" state song first in 1949, then again in November 1977, by the State Song Selection Board. New Hampshire has eight "honorary" state songs, and no other official songs.
History
In 1926, Dr. John F. Holmes of ManchesterManchester, New Hampshire
Manchester is the largest city in the U.S. state of New Hampshire, the tenth largest city in New England, and the largest city in northern New England, an area comprising the states of Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. It is in Hillsborough County along the banks of the Merrimack River, which...
wrote the song's lyrics. Maurice Hoffman, Jr., the Franklin Street Congregational Church organist
Organist
An organist is a musician who plays any type of organ. An organist may play solo organ works, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers or instrumental soloists...
of Manchester
Manchester, New Hampshire
Manchester is the largest city in the U.S. state of New Hampshire, the tenth largest city in New England, and the largest city in northern New England, an area comprising the states of Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. It is in Hillsborough County along the banks of the Merrimack River, which...
, wrote the music. The 1941 General Court
New Hampshire General Court
The General Court of New Hampshire is the bicameral state legislature of the U.S. state of New Hampshire. The lower house is the New Hampshire House of Representatives with 400 members. The upper house is the New Hampshire Senate with 24 members...
voted against making it the state song, and the 1943 General Court killed a bill public contest with cash prizes, to pick a state song. In 1949, the General Court voted in favor of designating "Old New Hampshire" as the state song.
In 1963, the legislature approved "New Hampshire, My New Hampshire", by Julius Richelson and Walter P. Smith of Plymouth
Plymouth, New Hampshire
Plymouth is a town in Grafton County, New Hampshire, United States, in the White Mountains Region. Plymouth is located at the convergence of the Pemigewasset and Baker rivers. The population was 6,990 at the 2010 census...
, as the "Second State Song". The "Third State Song", designated by the legislature in 1973, was "New Hampshire Hills", with music by Tom Powers of Detroit, Michigan
Detroit, Michigan
Detroit is the major city among the primary cultural, financial, and transportation centers in the Metro Detroit area, a region of 5.2 million people. As the seat of Wayne County, the city of Detroit is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan and serves as a major port on the Detroit River...
, son of retired Director Edward Powers of the State Sweepstakes Commission, and the late Paul Scott Mowrer
Paul Scott Mowrer
Paul Scott Mowrer was an American newspaper correspondent, born in Bloomington, Illinois. He studied at the University of Michigan and began his newspaper career as a reporter in Chicago, in 1905. He was a correspondent at the front during the 1st Balkan War and again in the War in Europe from...
, state poet laureate
Poet Laureate
A poet laureate is a poet officially appointed by a government and is often expected to compose poems for state occasions and other government events...
.
In March 1977, "Autumn in New Hampshire," by Leo Austin of Warner
Warner, New Hampshire
Warner is a town in Merrimack County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 2,833 at the 2010 census. The town is home to The College of Saint Mary Magdalen, Rollins State Park and Mount Kearsarge State Forest....
, was added as the "Fourth State Song". The addition of this song coincided with the creation of an interim board to recommend one "official" state song and designate the remainder of songs as "honorary".
In June 1977, another song law was enacted by the General Court which added four more songs to the listing of state songs, with a stipulation that if none were chosen by the Board as the official state song, they would become "honorary" state songs. The four songs were: "New Hampshire's Granite State" by Annie B. Currier of Londonderry
Londonderry, New Hampshire
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 23,236 people, 7,623 households, and 6,319 families residing in the town. The population density was 555.8 people per square mile . There were 7,718 housing units at an average density of 184.6 per square mile...
; "Oh, New Hampshire (You're My Home)" by Brownie Macintosh of Hampton
Hampton, New Hampshire
Hampton is a town in Rockingham County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 14,976 at the 2010 census. Located beside the Atlantic Ocean, Hampton is home to Hampton Beach, a summer tourist destination....
; "The Old Man of the Mountain" by Paul Belanger of Berlin
Berlin, New Hampshire
Berlin is a city along the Androscoggin River in Coos County in northern New Hampshire, United States. The population was 10,051 at the 2010 census. It includes the village of Cascade. Located on the edge of the White Mountains, the city's boundaries extend into the White Mountain National Forest...
, and "The New Hampshire State March" by Rene Richards of Nashua
Nashua, New Hampshire
-Climate:-Demographics:As of the census of 2010, there were 86,494 people, 35,044 households, and 21,876 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,719.9 people per square mile . There were 37,168 housing units at an average density of 1,202.8 per square mile...
.
The State Song Selection Board consisted of Rep. Richardson D. Benton of Chester
Chester, New Hampshire
Chester is a town in Rockingham County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 4,768 at the 2010 census. It is home to Chester College .-History:Incorporated in 1722, Chester once included Candia, set off in 1763...
, who was the Board's coordinator; William E. Elwell of Portsmouth
Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Portsmouth is a city in Rockingham County, New Hampshire in the United States. It is the largest city but only the fourth-largest community in the county, with a population of 21,233 at the 2010 census...
, who became chairman, Ted Hebert and Robert F. Thibeault of Manchester, who were all named by the Governor of New Hampshire
Governor of New Hampshire
The Governor of the State of New Hampshire is the supreme executive magistrate of the U.S. state of New Hampshire.The governor is elected at the biennial state general election in November of even-numbered years. New Hampshire is one of only two states, along with bordering Vermont, to hold...
and Council
Executive Council of New Hampshire
The Executive Council of the State of New Hampshire is the executive body of the U.S. state of New Hampshire. The Executive Council advises the Governor on all matters and provides a check on the governor's power. New Hampshire is one of the few states that has an Executive Council, and is the...
; Senator Robert F. Bossie of Manchester, named by the Senate President; and Rep. Jane F. Sanders of Alton Bay
Alton Bay, New Hampshire
Alton Bay is an unincorporated village in the town of Alton, New Hampshire, located on Alton Bay, a cove of Lake Winnipesaukee which forms the southeasternmost point on the lake. The village is part of the Lakes Region, a popular resort area of New Hampshire....
, named by the House Speaker.
On November 29, 1977, the announcement of the name of the official song was made in Representatives Hall. Gale Thomson
Gale Thomson
Anne Gale Kelly Thomson was the First Lady of New Hampshire from 1973 until 1979, and the widow of former Governor Meldrim Thomson, Jr.-Early and personal life:...
, wife of Governor Meldrim Thomson, Jr.
Meldrim Thomson, Jr.
Meldrim Thomson, Jr. was a Republican who served three terms as Governor of the U.S. state of New Hampshire from 1973 to 1979, during which time he became known as a strong supporter of conservative political values....
, drew the choice from a sealed envelope in which the name had been placed by the Board.
In 1983, "New Hampshire Naturally," with words and music by Rick and Ron Shaw, was added to the list of state songs listed in RSA
New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated
The New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated forms the codified law of the state subordinate to the New Hampshire State Constitution.-History:The RSA is a set of law books published by Thomson West...
3:7.
Lyrics
- With a skill that knows no measure,
- From the golden store of Fate
- God, in His great love and wisdom,
- Made the rugged Granite State;
- Made the lakes, the fields, the forests;
- Made the Rivers and the rills;
- Made the bubbling, crystal fountains
- Of New Hampshire's Granite Hills
-
- Refrain
- Old New Hampshire, Old New Hampshire
- Old New Hampshire Grand and Great
- We will sing of Old New Hampshire,
- Of the dear old Granite State
- Builded he New Hampshire glorious
- From the borders to the sea;
- And with matchless charm and splendor
- Blessed her for eternity.
- Hers, the majesty of mountain;
- Hers, the grandeur of the lake;
- Hers, the truth as from the hillside
- Whence her crystal waters break
-
- Refrain
Honorary state songs
- "New Hampshire, my New Hampshire" with words by Julius Richelson and music by Walter P. Smith.
- "New Hampshire Hills" with words by Paul Scott Mowrer and music by Tom Powers.
- "Autumn in New Hampshire" with words and music by Leo Austin.
- "New Hampshire's Granite State" with words and music by Anne B. Currier.
- "Oh, New Hampshire (You're My Home)" with words and music by Brownie Macintosh.
- "The Old Man of the Mountain" with words and music by Paul Belanger.
- "The New Hampshire State March" with words and music by Rene Richards.
- "New Hampshire Naturally" with words and music by Rick Shaw and Ron Shaw