State Song
The Arizona State Anthem was adopted February 28, 1919, by the Fourth State Legislature. The "Arizona March Song" as the anthem was titled, was written by Margaret Rowe Clifford with music composed by Maurice Blumenthal (Arizona March Song - Laws 1919, Chapter 28, adopted by the 4th State Legislature)
More than 60 years later, the Arizona Legislature named Arizona, a song written and performed by Rex Allen, Jr. as an alternate state anthem (I Love You Arizona - Laws 1982, Chapter 1 (HB 2300) adopted by the 35th Legislature). Rex Allen Jr. and father Rex Allen, natives of Willcox, are known world-wide for their famous renditions of cowboy songs. Rex Allen Jr. has been singing the state song at Centennial events and sang the song on February 14, 2012, at the State Capitol.
ARIZONA
I love you, Arizona; Your mountains, deserts and streams; The rise of Dos Cabezas* And the outlaws I see in my dreams; I love you Arizona, Superstitions and all; The warmth you give at sunrise; Your sunsets put music in us all.
Oo, Arizona; You're the magic in me;
Oo, Arizona, You're the life-blood of me; I love you Arizona; Desert dust on the wind; The sage and cactus are blooming, And the smell of the rain on your skin.
Oo, Arizona; You're the magic in me;
Oo, Arizona, You're the life-blood of me.
*Dos Cabezas (Two Heads) - mountain peaks in Cochise County, Arizona
Copyright 1981
by BOXER MUSIC, Nashville, TN
The State of Arizona owns the copyright on this material under an agreement with Boxer Music.
Boxer is still charged with granting or denying use of the song. Contact Boxer at Rex Allen, Jr.
ARIZONA MARCH SONG
Words by Margaret Rowe Clifford
Music by Maurice Blumenthal
Come to this land of sunshine To this land where life is young. Where the wide, wide world is waiting, The songs that will now be sung. Where the golden sun is flaming Into warm, white, shining day, And the sons of men are blazing Their priceless right of way. Come stand beside the rivers Within our valleys broad. Stand here with heads uncovered, In the presence of our God! While all around, about us The brave, unconquered band, As guardians and landmarks The giant mountains stand. Not alone for gold and silver Is Arizona great. But with graves of heroes sleeping, All the land is consecrate! O, come and live beside us However far ye roam Come and help us build up temples And name those temples "home."
CHORUS: Sing the song that's in your hearts Sing of the great Southwest, Thank God, for Arizona In splendid sunshine dressed. For thy beauty and thy grandeur, For thy regal robes so sheen We hail thee Arizona Our Goddess and our queen.
Copyright 1915 by Margaret Rowe Clifford
The State of Arizona owns the copyright on both of these songs.
Now Available: Purchase the sheet music for these songs from the Capitol museum store located in the Arizona Capitol Museum in Phoenix! As an extra bonus, a CD will be included with Rex Allen Jr. singing Arizona. For more information, contact the Arizona Capitol Museum.