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By a Senate Joint Resolution on February 12, 1927, "Oregon, My Oregon" was proclaimed the State Song of Oregon. The words, by John Buchanan, are known by few in our day. They are:

Land of the Empire Builders, Land of the Golden West;
Conquered and held by free men, Fairest and the best.
Onward and upward ever, Forward and on, and on;
Hail to thee, Land of Heroes, My Oregon.

Land of the rose and sunshine, Land of the summer's breeze;
Laden with health and vigor, Fresh from the Western seas.
Blest by the blood of martyrs, Land of the setting sun;
Hail to thee, Land of Promise, My Oregon.

Current Thoughts

Yesterday Oregon won a significant victory at the US Supreme Court, when the Court found (6-3) that Attorney General John Ashcroft had exceeded his powers in declaring that Oregon's practice of permitting doctor-assisted suicide was not a "legitimate medical practice" under regulations implementing the Controlled Substances Act. The effect of the decision is not only to allow Oregon's practice of physician-assisted suicide to continue, but also to encourage efforts in several other states to permit the same. In honor of this signal victory at the Court, I decided that I would rewrite the words of the Oregon State Song to more accurately reflect this new reality for Oregon. I give proposed words here without comment. *

[*I was inspired to take on this task by the passing reference of a friend, whom I hope remains a friend when he reads this.]

Oregon, My Oregon
New Words by Bill Long (1/18/06)

Land of the Suiciders, Land of flowing Nembutal;
Chased by Ashcroft's minions, to lock us in their thrall;
No! said Hardy, No! said John; we'll not give up our fight;
We love you too much, Oregon, to yield to Ashcroft's might.

Land of the legal scholars, who argued in our defense;
"Give us the Skidmore, but not the Chevron deference";
A cold baptism for Roberts, along with Scaliamas;
But 6-3 for Oregon, a victory for us."

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