'The Song of Iowa': Fairest tune of all the West?

"Words make you think a thought. Music makes you feel a feeling. A song makes you feel a thought." - E.Y. Harburg

Harburg would know. He coauthored some of the 20th century's most significant songs, including "Brother, Can You Spare a Dime" and "April in Paris."

Unfortunately, lost to history is what Harburg might have thought of "The Song of Iowa," our state anthem. Written in 1897 by Civil War veteran S.H.M. Byers, "Song of Iowa" is not the most creative piece - it's sung to the tune of "Der Tannenbaum."

Yes, you read right, our state song is based on a Christmas carol.

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Dentist Tim Hartsook wants to change that. Hailing from Independence (appropriately enough), Hartsook has called for the creation of a committee to garner nominees for a new state song.

He dislikes the state song so much that last year he even offered to donate $1,000 to get the contest going. "I just want it to be something Iowans can be proud of," he told The Associated Press.

His problem with "The Song of Iowa"? It doesn't rouse sentiment and love for the state when played at sporting events, like say Wisconsin's state song "On Wisconsin!" - which, curiously enough, some Iowa high school bands play at basketball games.

Didn't somebody tell them we haven't been part of the Wisconsin Territory for more than 150 years now?

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Blame Maryland for our state song.

During the Civil War, the Confederates captured Byers, and he spent several months in a Richmond, Va., prison. Each morning, a Rebel marching band passed his window. One of the songs they played was "My Maryland" - written to the tune of "Der Tannenbaum."

Fast forward to 1897. The night after Byers wrote "The Song of Iowa," he asked a French concert singer at the Foster Opera House in Des Moines to sing it. The performer did and got a standing ovation.

So he kept singing it. And he got more standing ovations.

A year later, E.Y. Harburg was born on the East Coast.

Finally, on June 30, 1949, "The Song of Iowa" officially was adopted as our state anthem.

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Many think "The Iowa Corn Song" is the state song.

Thank God they're wrong. Would you want our state song to start off "Let's sing of grand old I-O-Way, Yo-Ho, yo-ho, yo-ho"? And for all of you from Illinois, no, it's not sung to the tune of "Yo-ho, yo-ho, yo-ho, the pirate's life's for me."

Hartsook says it's a corny tune. And on that count, he's absolutely right.

One need only look at how "The Iowa Corn Song" came about: A delegation of Za-Ga-Zig Shriners (yes, those guys with the funny fez hats) went to Los Angeles in 1912 for a Shrine convention. While there, they decided - much like Hartsook today - that Iowa needed a rousing song of honor. And, of course, it somehow should advertise our state's chief product: corn.

Worse, it since has become Iowa State's fight song.

Which is not to say that "The Iowa Corn Song" isn't fun to belt out. Who doesn't enjoy reaching one's hands as high into the air as they can go and roaring "That's where the tall corn grows!"?

Besides, acting like drunk Shriners is a healthy release.

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So what about "The Song of Iowa"?

It says we're the "fairest State of all the West." But not the East? Of course not. Maryland is, so the song speaks to Iowan humility.

It does have a few "yonders" in it. That's a little jarring to modern ears, but "sunset's purpling line" is moderately evocative.

It mentions corn. That's always good.

It boasts of "maids ... (with) laughing eyes." Sure, why not?

It concludes that "Thou'lt not forget thy patriot sons" even when all other people and governments have. That's noble.

OK, OK, so Hartsook is right: It's a pretty uninspiring song.

Did I hear someone in the back shout, "Lousy, too!"?

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Maybe it is lousy. But it is our song.

No doubt, it appealed to Iowan lawmakers because "Der Tannenbaum" was a common folk tune among the state's many German immigrants. Even if you didn't know or understand the words, you at least could hum along.

But a good song - a really good one - should make you not just hum but feel a thought.

Here's some words to make you think: Would you rather have a state song inspired by a prisoner of war yearning for home or by Shriners on vacation in Los Angeles?

(originally published Feb. 15, 2004)