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Official State Song 1818 Illinois 1968 Sesquicentennial
By Thy Rivers Gently Flowing Illinois
Words by Charles H. Chamberlin
New Verses by Win Stracke
Music by Archibald Johnson
Arrangement by Norman Labor
The official state song <bold> Illinois </bold>, although written just prior to the World's Columbian Exposition of 1893, was not so designated until June 30, 1925, by the Illinois State Legislature. The song was written by Charles H. Chamberlin, a veteran of the Civil War, wounded at Gaines Mill. The music, by Archibald Johnson, was adapted from a popular song which he wrote several year earlier. The song was introduced at a reunion of the Army of the Potomac in Chicago, with President McKinley as the speaker. The President called it "a song that will never die." A verse of the song is engraved on Chamberlin's tombstone in Forest Home Cemetery in Forest Park, Illinois. The bill which was to make <bold> Illinois </bold> the official state song was introduced in the State Senate by Florence Fifer Bohrer, daughter of the late Governor Joseph W. Fifer. She was the first woman to serve in the Illinois Senate.
Copyright 1966 by OTTO KERNER Governor of Illinois
Illinois (By Thy Rivers Gently Flowing) [Stamp: ASCAP]
Words by CHARLES H. CHAMBERLIN New Verses by WIN STRACKE Music by ARCHIBALD JOHNSON Arr. by NORMAN LUBOFF
[Key: E flat] [Parts: Voice; Piano] [Musical cue: Freely]
1. By thy rivers gently flowing Illinois, Illinois, By thy prairies verdant growing, Illinois, Illinois, Comes an echo on the breeze Rustling through the leafy trees, And its mellow tones are these, Illinois, Illinois, And its mellow tones are these, Illinois.
2. Not without thy wondrous story, Illinois, Illinois, Can be writ the nation's glory, Illinois, Illinois, On the record of the years, Abr'ham Lincoln's name appears, Grant and Logan and our tears, Illinois, Illinois, Grant and Logan and our tears, Illinois.
3. Eighteen eighteen saw your founding, Illinois, Illinois, And your progress is unbounding, Illinois, Illinois, Pioneers once cleared the land Where great industries now stand. World renown you do command, Illinois, Illinois World renown you do command, Illinois.
4. Let us pledge in final chorus, Illinois, Illinois, That in struggles still before us, Illinois, Illinois, To our hero we'll be true As their vision we pursue In a bidding love for you, Illinois, Illinois, In a bidding love for you, Illinois.
Copyright 1966 by OTTO KERNER Governor of Illinois
Illinois (By Thy Rivers Gently Flowing) (Mixed Chorus)
Words by CHARLES H. CHAMBERLAIN New Verses by WIN STRACKE Music by ARCHIBALD JOHNSON Arr. by NORMAN LUBOFF
[Key: E flat] [Parts: SA; TB] [Musical cue: Freely]
1. By thy rivers gently flowing Illinois, Illinois, By thy prairies verdant growing, Illinois, Illinois, Comes an echo on the breeze Rustling through the leafy trees, And its mellow tones are these, Illinois, Illinois, And its mellow tones are these, Illinois.
2. Not without thy wondrous story, Illinois, Illinois, Can be writ the nation's glory, Illinois, Illinois, On the record of the years, Abr'ham Lincoln's name appears, Grant and Logan and our tears, Illinois, Illinois, Grant and Logan and our tears, Illinois.
3. Eighteen eighteen saw your founding, Illinois, Illinois, And your progress is unbounding, Illinois, Illinois, Pioneers once cleared the land Where great industries now stand. World renown you do command, Illinois, Illinois World renown you do command, Illinois.
4. Let us pledge in final chorus, Illinois, Illinois, That in struggles still before us, Illinois, Illinois, To our hero we'll be true As their vision we pursue In a bidding love for you, Illinois, Illinois, In a bidding love for you, Illinois.
Copyright 1966 by OTTO KERNER Governor of Illinois
1818 Illinois 1968 Sesquicentennial