"Here We Have Idaho" is the official state song of Idaho. The music was originally composed by Sallie Hume-Douglas for a song titled "Garden of Paradise," which Hume-Douglas copyrighted in 1915. In 1917, two students at the University of Idaho used the music for their entry in a campus song contest. McKinley Helm wrote a verse for the song, and Alice Bessee adapted the "Garden of Paradise" music to fit. Under the title "Our Idaho," the song won the contest that year and eventually became the university's alma mater. The university later learned that Hume-Douglas had copyrighted the music, and obtained permission from her to continue using it for "Our Idaho."
In the meantime, Albert J. Tompkins, Director of Music in the Boise Public Schools, had written two additional verses for the song. These were combined with Helm's verse (used as a chorus) to form "Here We Have Idaho," which the Idaho Legislature designated as the Idaho state song in 1931.
Lyrics Verse 1
You've heard of the wonders our land does possess Its beautiful valleys and hills The majestic forests where nature abounds We love every nook and rill
Chorus
And here we have Idaho Winning her way to fame Silver and gold in the sunlight blaze and romance lies in her name
Singing, we're singing of you Ah, proudly too, All our lives through, we'll go Singing, singing of you, Singing of Idaho.
Verse 2
There's truly one state in this great land of ours Where ideals can be realized. The pioneers made it so for you and me, A legacy we'll always prize.
Chorus
And here we have Idaho Winning her way to fame Silver and gold in the sunlight blaze and romance lies in her name
Singing, we're singing of you Ah, proudly too, All our lives through, we'll go Singing, singing of you, Singing of Idaho.
References
External links
Idaho Stat. § 67–4503 Here We Have Idaho on YouTube