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Zero Return InvestmentNew Jersey State Song (Not)
I Started out Looking for a Song Called "My Garden State..."Fools are my theme, let satire be my song. - Lord Byron This message was posted via the Feedback form on the 2nd of October 2004: Name: Mel Greenwald [You have written on your page "That New Jersey State of Mind"] ..."Its repertoire includes an original song called My Garden State, which ends with the line 'I want to live and die in dear old Jersey, along the blue Atlantic shore'... Hi Folks I learned this song at Livingston (elementary) School in New Brunswick in the late '50s!! Anybody have any more information about it? Best Regards,
Well, I didn't know anything about it (but see NOTE at the bottom of the page), but I figured I could find out something on the internet - you can find anything on the internet, right? I searched for My Garden State song title and turned up the following: My Garden StateSong title: My Garden State My Garden State (New Jersey)Song title: My Garden State (New Jersey) Were either of these what Mel was looking for? There wasn't enough information to tell. I could find no instance anywhere that either song had been recorded, nor could I find lyrics. Not being familiar with New Jersey's state song, I wondered if the song he sought was, in fact, just that. I thought perhaps I could find out more information if I searched for it under that description. That's when I discovered that New Jersey is the only state without a state song. Further, there had been a bit of contention over just which song should be selected. There were 3 songs that had been considered, although none of the 3 could muster enough support to actually wend its way through the process of legislation. Were any of these songs the one I sought? It didn't look like it. I could only find complete lyrics for the first one below, but I listened to the words on the other two and never heard anything about the "blue Atlantic shore..."
Contender #1This is a 204 kb .mp3 file... I'm from New Jerseyby Red Mascara (verse and music) I know of a state that's a perfect playland with white sandy beaches by the sea; First Chorus I'M FROM NEW JERSEY and I'm proud about it, I love the Garden State. Second Chorus If you want glamour, try Atlantic City or Wildwood by the sea; This song passed both Legislative Houses in 1972 but was not signed into law by the Governor. © 1961, 1989 Red Mascara all rights reserved Source: 50states.com
Contender #2This is a 2.4 meg .mp3 file... In New Jerseywritten by a class of fourth-graders at Van Holten School in Bridgewater There's a place where people go that's beautiful when capped with snow. In summer ocean breezes blow around. In New Jersey there are mountains Source: dailyrecord.com 13 April 2003
Contender #3This is a 2.3 meg .mp3 file... New Jersey, My Homeby Patrick Finley of Teaneck You’re the cry of revolution, Source: dailyrecord.com 13 April 2003
Contender #4None of the above. They're All Awful
Time to Vote!I heard from some really nice people named Mark Winter and Ellen Winter that they have written a song which they think should be the New Jersey state song. Do I agree? I don't know, because their file is a RAM file which my computer won't play. But if yours can, visit their site at statesongofnewjersey.com where they also have the lyrics posted and a photo of themselves and a link to Wikipedia which indicates there are other songs in the running to be New Jersey's state song - yet still nothing has happened. Maybe the state enjoys the distinction of not having one? (Virginia, it seems, is the only other state without one.) Send me an email with comments (which I will post if you don't mind) or submit a song of your own! (It could make you quasi-famous if you write New Jersey's state song.)
Note: -------- Original Message --------
Comments: Here are the lyrics I learned in elementary school to the song My Garden State. My Garden StateMy Garden State I want to sing sweet songs to thee,
Thanks very much!
-------- Original Message -------- My father found some sheet music in an old box. It was New Jersey My Garden State by LeRoy C Hinkle. It also has the state seal on the back. Do you want me to scan the music for you or write down the lyrics? I've heard they are looking for someone to write a state song and they're paying $250.000. Is this accurate? Diana Romer Diana That would be lovely! That is the song I started out looking for in the beginning. I'd take either lyrics or music (or - gasp - both?). I haven't heard about the $250,000 - it may very well be true as they paid that much for someone to come up with a state slogan ("We'll win you over") that they didn't even USE! Thanks SO much for writing. Regards When I get a chance, I'll include a midi recording of this song in the state song voting above. For now, the sheet music is located here. (The page is about half a meg.)
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