| In 1920, the Society of Oregon Composers held a competition to select a state song for Oregon. The winning entry, "Oregon, My Oregon," was a collaboration between John Andrew Buchanan, who wrote the lyrics, and Henry Bernard Murtagh, who composed the music. Following the song's selection, the Society promoted the song by conducting performances at public gathering spaces around the state and at schools and universities (the state Superintendent of Public Instruction had endorsed the song). On February 12, 1927, the song was officially adopted as the state song by a joint resolution of the Oregon State Legislature. |
(Listen to the song) Lyrics 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. |
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