Annapolis, MD:  Maryland’s State Song contains offensive lyrics that defend slavery and glorify an era of racial discrimination. Several have attempted to repeal and/or replace “Maryland, My Maryland,” including Senator Cheryl Kagan with SB222 in 2016 and SB790 in 2018.

 

In the wake of George Floyd’s murder and the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests, many states have removed their Confederate statues and symbols. Sen. Kagan is sponsoring SB8 to finally repeal our State Song.

 

 

The poem that provided the song’s lyrics was written in 1861 by a Confederate sympathizer, James Ryder Randall. He was outraged by Union troops marching through Baltimore to overthrow the government. President Abraham Lincoln is called a “despot,” and those opposing the Confederacy are called “Northern scum.” Even prior to its adoption in 1939 as the State Song, the poem was viewed as inflammatory and divisive. 

 

“Maryland pride runs deep. Our State Song should celebrate the beauty and diversity of our home,” Kagan said. “Instead, it celebrates images of the Confederacy and racial discrimination. The time to repeal it is now.”

 

When: Thursday, March 11th (sometime after 1 pm)

Where: Senate Education, Health, & Environmental Affairs (EHEA) Cmte via Zoom

Who: Senator Kagan will be joined by: