My Michigan
"My Michigan" is the regional anthem of the U.S. state of Michigan. History. 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 at Detroit. It was formally adopted as an official state song by the Michigan Legislature in 1937 by Concurrent Resolution 17. Despite being an official state anthem, the song is "very" rarely sung and has never been used on formal state occasions. This may be because doing so would incur liability to pay a royalty. The State did not purchase and/or  the authors would not sell the copyright. Under the current federal law, the song's copyright will expire at the end of the 70th year following the deaths of its authors, the latter of whom, O'Reilly Clint, died in 1961. 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. Lyrics. Home of my heart, I sing of thee! Michigan, My Michigan, Thy lake-bound shores I long to see, Michigan, my Michigan. From Saginaw's tall whispering pines  To Lake Superior's farthest mines, Fair in the light of memory shines Michigan, my Michigan. Thou gav'st thy sons without a sigh, Michigan, my Michigan, And sent thy bravest forth to die, Michigan, my Michigan. Beneath a hostile southern sky They bore thy banner proud and high, Ready to fight but never fly, Michigan, my Michigan. From Yorktown on to Richmond's wall, Michigan, my Michigan, They bravely fight, as bravely fall, Michigan, my Michigan. Their strong arms crumble in the dust, And their bright swords all have gathered rust; Their memory is our sacred trust, " Michigan, my Michigan . And when the happy time shall come, Michigan, my Michigan, That brings thy war-worn heroes home, Michigan, my Michigan, What welcome from their own proud shore, What honors at their feet we'll pour, What tears for those who'll come no more, Michigan, my Michigan. A grateful country claims them now, Michigan, my Michigan, And deathless laurel binds each brow, Michigan, my Michigan; And history the tale will tell, Of how they fought and how they fell, For that dear land they loved so well, Michigan, my Michigan.