"My Michigan" is an official song of the state of Michigan.

My Michigan

Regional anthem of Michigan
LyricsGiles Kavanagh, 1933
MusicH. O'Reilly Clint, 1933
Adopted1937; 87 years ago (1937)

History

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It was written by Giles Kavanagh (lyrics) and H. O'Reilly Clint (music) in 1933. It was published by Clint's own music publishing company in Detroit. It was formally adopted as an official state song by the Michigan Legislature in 1937 by Concurrent Resolution 17.[1]

Despite being an official state anthem, the song is rarely performed and has never been used on formal state occasions.[citation needed] The state government did not purchase and/or the authors would not sell the copyright.[citation needed] The song's copyright will expire at the end of 2028, the 95th year after its publication, per the Copyright Term Extension Act.[2]

There are two versions of the sheet music; one is held at the Rare Book Room at the Library of Michigan and the other is housed at the Bentley Historical Museum.[3]

References

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Citations
  1. ^ "History of the Adoption of "My Michigan" as an Official Song of the State of Michigan" (PDF). State of Michigan. Retrieved January 5, 2012.
  2. ^ Renewal is listed in Catalog of Copyright Entries, 1960 (Part 5, No. 1), p. 598.
  3. ^ "Michigan State Songs: Michigan's Mystery State Song!". Michigan Dept of Natural Resources. Retrieved January 5, 2012.
Further reading
  • Fuller, George N., ed. (1939). "Giles Kavanagh". Michigan Biography. Michigan: A Centennial History of the State and Its People. Vol. 5. Chicago: Lewis Publishing. pp. 47–49.
  • Journal of the House of Representatives of the State of Michigan. Regular Session. Vol. 1. Lansing, MI: Franklin DeKleine Company. 1937.
  • "Presentation of the Portrait of the Honorable John W, Fitzgerald". M. R. Vol. 447. November 10, 1994. p. 5. (reference to "My Michigan" song)
  • McNamara, Daniel I., ed. (1952). "H. O'Reilly Clint". The ASCAP Biographical Dictionary of Composers, Authors, and Publishers. New York: Thomas Y. Crowell Company. pp. 88–89.