Michigan, My Michigan facts for kids

"Michigan, My Michigan" is a very well-known song in the state of Michigan. Many people think it's the official state song. However, the real state song, called "My Michigan", was chosen in 1937. It's not as famous as "Michigan, My Michigan". In 2003, there was an attempt to make "Michigan, My Michigan" an official state song, but it didn't happen.

The Story Behind "Michigan, My Michigan"

How the Song Began

The first words for "Michigan, My Michigan" were written in 1862. A woman named Winifred Lee Brent Lyster from Detroit wrote them. She used the tune of a German song called "O Tannenbaum", which you might know as "O Christmas Tree". This tune was also used for "Maryland, My Maryland", a former state song of Maryland.

Mrs. Lyster was inspired to write the song after a big battle in the American Civil War called the Battle of Fredericksburg. Her husband, Henry, was a doctor in the Union Army. He served throughout the entire war, from the First Battle of Bull Run to the Battle of Appomattox Court House.

New Words for a New Time

Later, in 1886, Major James W. Long from Grand Rapids wrote new words for the song. He kept the original tune and the feeling of the Civil War.

Then, in 1902, a writer named Douglas Malloch created the words we often hear today. He wrote them for a meeting of women's clubs in Muskegon. Malloch wanted the song to feel more peaceful, not just about war. A new tune was also created for these words by a composer named W. Otto Miessner from Detroit.