But there was concern that it might embarrass McKinley because the project originated with his political friends. However, there were no objections when a bill to adopt the carnation was introduced in 1904. Following in the footsteps of other states whose official flowers are imports or domestics, Ohio adopted the white trillium as its official wildflower in 1986-87. Cities so grand, mountains above, Led to this land I love. Chorus Beautiful Ohio, where the golden grain Dwarf the lovely flowers in the summer rain.
Cities rising high, silhouette the sky.
The music was composed by Mary Earl, and the original lyrics were written by Ballard MacDonald. In 1989, the Ohio legislature adopted an amendment to section 5.09 of the Ohio Revised Code that changed the words of the state song. The new lyrics are the work of Youngstown attorney Wilbert McBride.