Maryland Bill Would 'Retire' State Song To 'Historic' Status

BALTIMORE (WJZ) — The Maryland Senate has moved to put "Maryland, My Maryland" into the annals of history.

The state song has been a thorny issue for years due to Civil War-era lyrics that promote the Confederacy. Political reporter Pat Warren has more on this continuing controversy.

The lyrics, which include references to "Northern scum" and a despotic President Abraham Lincoln, have been a contentious topic for years.

The Senate voted to change the designation from state song to historical song -- but not without opposition.

"It's confusing why we're doing it. If we have issues with the song, let's change the lyrics, and as I said before, where does it end, with the statues, now there's complaints about the flag, the colors in it," said Senate Minority Leader JB Jennings, (R-Baltimore, Harford counties).

Others, however, are supporting the measure.

"This bill acknowledges a dated, offensive, racist theme song and it's time to move forward," Sen. Cheryl Kagan (D-Montgomery).

"This bill is a compromise, racism is thrown around a lot around here, but this song needs to be put away," said Senate President Mike Miller.

Kagan sponsored the bill.

"Rather than try to repeal the state song, which is actually what I wanted to do and replace it with something new and more celebratory, we went for a more modest compromise version which is just labeling it historical," she said.

The Senate passed a bill last year that went to the House and failed there.

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