I Love You, California facts for kids
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| Regional anthem of | California |
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| Lyrics | Francis Beatty Silverwood, 1913 |
| Music | Abraham Franklin Frankenstein, 1913 |
| Adopted | April 26, 1951 |
"I Love You, California" is the official state song of California. It was first released in 1913. The song was officially adopted by California in 1951. Later, in 1987, it was confirmed again as the state's official song.
The words for the song were written by Francis Beatty Silverwood. He was a tailor from Los Angeles. Abraham Franklin Frankenstein then wrote the music for the song. He was a music director at the Orpheum Theatre at the time. The famous opera singer Mary Garden performed the song for the first time. "I Love You, California" was also the official song for big events in San Francisco and San Diego in 1915. These events were called expositions.
Contents
History of California's State Song
This section explores how "I Love You, California" became the official song.
First Performance
In 1913, the song was introduced by a famous opera singer named Mary Garden. She was known for her work with the Chicago Grand Opera. News reports at the time said, "Mary Garden stopped Grand Opera to make this California song famous." This helped the new song become very popular. Mary Garden herself wrote that she was proud to be the first to sing the song in public. She hoped it would be a great success.
Song on the SS Ancon
"I Love You, California" was played on the steamship Ancon. This ship made history on August 14, 1914. It was the very first merchant ship to travel through the Panama Canal.
Becoming the Official State Song
In 1951, the California State Legislature made a decision. They passed a resolution to name "I Love You, California" as the state song. A resolution is a formal statement of a group's opinion. California Government Code section 421.7 states this. It says the song, with lyrics by F.B. Silverwood and music by A.F. Frankenstein, is an official state song. Then, in 1987, the song became the official state song by law. This means it was written into the state's legal rules.
Modern Uses of the Song
The song "I Love You, California" is still used today.
In Advertisements and TV Shows
In late 2012, the car company Jeep used the song. They played "I Love You, California" in a TV advertisement in California. The ad showed images of California's state flower and flag. It also showed other famous California symbols. The song is also the main music for a TV show. This show is called "California's Golden Parks." It features interesting places in the state. The show is presented by Huell Howser.
In Video Games
The song has even appeared in video games. A special version of the song is heard in the game Civilization VI: Gathering Storm. This happens when a player builds the Golden Gate Bridge. It plays along with lines from a poem called A Bridal Song.
Lyrics
I Love You, California
I.
I love you, California, you're the greatest state of all.
I love you in the winter, summer, spring and in the fall.
I love your fertile valleys; your dear mountains I adore.
I love your grand old ocean and I love her rugged shore.
Chorus
When the snow crowned Golden Sierras
Keep their watch o'er the valleys bloom,
It is there I would be in our land by the sea,
Every breeze bearing rich perfume.
It is here nature gives of her rarest. It is Home Sweet Home to me,
And I know when I die I shall breathe my last sigh
For my sunny California.
II.
I love your red-wood forests – love your fields of yellow grain.
I love your summer breezes and I love your winter rain.
I love you, land of flowers; land of honey, fruit and wine.
I love you, California; you have won this heart of mine.
III.
I love your old gray Missions – love your vineyards stretching far.
I love you, California, with your Golden Gate ajar.
I love your purple sun-sets, love your skies of azure blue.
I love you, California; I just can't help loving you.
IV.
I love you, Catalina, you are very dear to me.
I love you, Tamalpais, and I love Yosemite.
I love you, Land of Sunshine, half your beauties are untold.
I loved you in my childhood, and I'll love you when I'm old.
Other Songs for California
Over the years, people tried to make other songs the official state song. In 1921, a contest was held to find new lyrics for a state song. The winner was a song called "California, Sweet Homeland of Mine." It was written by Mary Lennox from San Francisco.
You're the land at the foot of the rainbow,
Where the great pot of treasure was spilled
That is fashioned anew by the sunshine and dew,
Into marvels of bright hopes fulfilled;
You're land where each fair trail leads homeward,
'Neath the palm of the sheltering pine
California, sweet homeland of mine.
Images for kids
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Victor Records
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