Dear Old Illinois

United States Senate Committee on Banking and Currency Washington, D.C. 20510

Downstate Office Senators Dirksen and Percy 104 S. Elm Centralia, Illinois 62801

August 1, 1967

Honorable Paul Powell Secretary of State Springfield, Illinois

Dear Sir:

Inclosed please find sheet music to a song "Dear Old Illinois" with accompanying letter from one Grace McCartan. Also a copy of a letter we wrote to Ms. McCartan.

Inasmuch as we felt this would fall under state jurisdiction instead of federal, I'm taking the liberty of sending it on to you. You may contact her direct if you like. Thank you.

Warm regards,

Charles H. Percy/vw United States Senator

Incls. (3)

Downstate Office Senators Dirksen & Percy 104 S. Elm Centralia, Illinois 62801

August 1, 1967

Dear Ms. McCartan:

Thanks for sending the words and music of Dear Old Illinois. This would be a state matter and not connected with the federal government, therefore I am taking the liberty of forwarding your music to the Secretary of State, Honorable Paul Powell. And I feel you will hear from them soon.

Again, thanks for writing me and I hope you will feel free to contact me at anytime that I can be of assistance.

Warm regards,

Charles H. Percy/vw

bcc. Secretary of State

White Hall Ill. July 30, 1967

Hon. Charles Percey Centralia, Ill.

Sir:

I don't know whether you were born in Ill. but I know you love your great state. I was born in Ill. (Marion Co.) and I have lived in Centralia I have composed a song in honor of our great state "Dear Old Illinois) Illinois has no ballad as so many of the states do,

I have come near placing it on several different occasions but have had other literature [illegible] accepted.

I know that you and Sen Dirksen are leaders in our state so I appeal to you. an unknown writer cannot get recognition unless backed by some prominent person or persons.

Would you help me? It has been praised by several persons including Fred Waring. There will be lots of singing in future campaigns, and this makes a beautiful male quartette.

Please let me hear. Resp. yours Grace McCartan

Rec'd Aug 1, 1967

DEAR OLD ILLINOIS

Song FOR VOICE AND PIANO

Words and Music by GRACE MCCARTAN

.50

Obtainable SHATTINGER ST. LOUIS, MO.

In memory of my beloved parents DEAR OLD ILLINOIS

Words and music by GRACE MCCARTAN

1. The world is wide, I've found at last, since I began to roam; But in this world There is no spot that can compare with home. I'm thinking of my home tonight; I see my mother's face As she sat and sang at twilight With her kind and gentle grace.

2. The world's a school I've found alas, since I have been to school; The world is cold and friends are few, And friendship's warmth can cool. But mother's love, can never fail It's faithful been to me, And has bless'd my life with sunshine Since I stood beside her knee. Copyright 1953 Grace McCartan

REFRAIN In dear old Illinois, the sun is shining, The wild arbutus twines on sunlit hills; the dogwood trees are blooming in the valley, Sweet daisy fields are there by woodland rills. The whippoorwill calls softly from the woodland, And in my heart there lingers still the joy Of memories of happy days I spent with lov'd ones dear, On a little farm In dear old Illinois! Dear Old Illinois, 2

1967

Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library 112 North Sixth Street Springfield, Illinois 62701