Carry Me Back to Old Virginny
| "Carry Me Back to Old Virginny" | |
|---|---|
| Song by Alma Gluck | |
| Recorded | 13 November 1914 |
| Writer(s) | James A. Bland |
"Carry Me Back to Old Virginny" is a song which was written by James A. Bland (1854–1911), an African American who wrote over 700 songs. It is not an adaption by Bland of the "Carry Me Back to Old Virginia" by the Christy Minstrels, also known by the title; "Floating Scow of Old Virginny", a song copyrighted by Edward Christy in 1847. Bland simpy appropriated the song title. Bland's song bears no rememblace to it melodically, harmonically, or in the lyrics. This latter song was very popular during the California gold rush and the American Civil War. Many parodies were written on this melody, and popular with both miners, and Civil War soldiers and civilians. Bland's version, the best known, was written in 1878 when many of the newly freed slaves were struggling to find work. His song has become controversial in modern times, with no regard for historical value, but only political correctness.
A copy of the Christy song may be seen at: http://levysheetmusic.mse.jhu.edu/catalog/levy:018.043
A third reworded version was Virginia's state song from 1940 until 1997, using the word "Virginia" instead of "Virginny." In 1997, it was retired on the grounds that the lyrics were considered offensive to African Americans; and for other more ironic and nuanced reasons. On January 28, 1997, the Virginia Senate voted to designate "Carry Me Back to Old Virginia" as state song emeritus and a study committee initiated a contest for writing a new state song.
In January 2006, a state Senate panel voted to designate "Shenandoah" as the "interim official state song." On March 1, 2006, the House Rules Committee of the General Assembly voted down bill SB682, which would have made "Shenandoah" the official state song.
Carry me back to old Virginny.
There's where the cotton and corn and taters grow.
There's where the birds warble sweet in the spring-time.
There's where this old darkey's heart am long'd to go.
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