In 1957 I was seven years old when my family moved to Florida from Pittsburgh; I grew up on a steady diet of hefty helpin's of emotional nostalgia conveyed in "Old Folks At Home", the state song of my new home. The song evoked longing for my own old folks (grandparents) at home in Pittsburgh.

It still does…

I have fond memories of canoeing and singing my way down upon the Suwannee River floating by the majestic old oaks brimming with exquisitely lush Spanish moss while warmth of the sunshine state nourished your body and soul.

Nothing touches our roots more deeply than family, and this is a song about our eternal search for connection, safety, security and a sense of belonging.

Old Folks At Home has been our state song since 1935. With respect for old folks at home as well as the "old folk" in each of us, I agree we revisit some of the lyrics, and keep this great melody around a while longer…

Maybe the Gov would support a songwriting contest for keeping the melody and revisiting the lyrics…?

If you live in Florida, one of your favorites is orange juice. My favorite food in the whole world is orange juice. Florida orange juice is the best. In elementary school I grew up on a steady diet of orange juice before school, and the Orange Blossom Song in school.

The Orange Blossom Song is certainly a candidate for state song of Florida (lyrics below).

Let's keep Old Folks At Home as one of our state songs, and just add the Orange Blossom Song as another.

Tennessee has five state songs.

Florida certainly deserves at least two!

If anything should be changed, let's consider a different state bird…

A couple of months ago the Orlando Sentinel published these lyrics:

ORANGE BLOSSOM SONG

I want to wake up in the morning where the orange blossoms grow,
Where the sun comes creepin' into where I'm sleepin',
and the song birds say hello.

I want to wander over yonder, Pick the fruit that's hanging low,
I want to make my home in Florida where the orange blossoms grow.

I want to wake up in the morning where the ocean breezes blow,
I want to cast my line on the falling tide,
Where the tarpon swim below.

I love the sunshine and the beaches, where the palms sway to and fro,
I want to make my home in Florida where the orange blossoms grow.

I want to wake up in the morning where the Spanish moss hangs low,
Where the gators swim through the Everglades,
And the grand old live oaks grow.

I love the wildwoods, and the cities, and the friends I've come to know.
I want to make my home in Florida where the orange blossoms grow.

I want to wake up in the morning where the orange blossoms grow,
Where the sun comes creepin' into where I'm sleepin',
and the song birds say hello.

I want to wander over yonder, Pick the fruit that's hanging low,
I want to make my home in Florida where the orange blossoms grow.