louisiana state song

Billy ROUGE — Amid lifted mask mandates, businesses re-openings and a barrage of economical recovery proposals in the Legislature, Louisianans may soon observe some new changes to the history of the state itself.

The Business firm Judiciary Committee passed bills Th to establish a new state motto and to proper name "Southern Nights," a song written past the late New Orleans music legend Allen Toussaint, as the fifth state song.

Rep. Richard Nelson, R-Mandeville, brought upwards HB17, which proposes to change the state motto from "Union, Justice, Confidence," to "We alive and die for those nosotros love."

Nelson said there was never a statute passed to institute the old motto, and that it was time to make official something that hit closer to habitation for Louisiana residents.

"I think this motto is much more indicative of who we are as a people, what we believe and stand for as a people, and what sets the states apart from everywhere else," Nelson said.

It was made clear that this was non a random phrase penned by Nelson either, as commission members pointed out that two iterations of the new motto appear on Louisiana law licenses and the walls of the Louisiana State Capitol.

The representative also said he felt the onetime motto of "Wedlock, Justice, Conviction" was a "rip-off" of Georgia's state motto, "Wisdom, Justice, & Moderation," which was established in 1776 when Georgia became the 13th U.South. colony.

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The proposal for the new motto passed by a vote of 10-2, with committee members adding that the new statute would not require any official state flags, buildings or seals to be corrected.

"We're not going to tear upward whatsoever carpets or tear up any flags," Nelson said. "If we were going build a new country capitol, this motto would be on the building instead. When new flags are bought, they will have the new motto."

'Southern Nights' may be fifth state vocal

Within the hour, Rep. Vincent Pierre, D-Lafayette, and Rep. Matthew Willard, D-New Orleans, presented HB351 to add Toussaint's "Southern Nights" to be a new state vocal.

Although the song was popularized past Glenn Campbell's rendition in 1977, which reached number ane in "Billboard'due south" state, pop, and adult contemporary charts, Toussaint wrote the vocal and released it in his own album of the same name in 1975.

Grammy laurels-winning musician Terrance Simien joined the committee to express his support for Toussaint's vocal and legacy.

"Allen Toussaint was a truthful Louisiana legend," Simien said. "I've been talking to a lot of people in the music earth, and this song would be a neat addition to our state songs. Allen was not merely a bully artist but also a keen human being. I only tin't say plenty almost him and just want to ask you lot to consider this."

HB351 was passed by the committee with no objections, which opens up the possibility for the Legislature to make "Southern Nights" the fifth state song.

The listing already includes "Give Me Louisiana" by Doralise Fontane, "Y'all Are My Sunshine" by Jimmie Davis," "State March Song" by Jimmie Davis and "Gifts of the Earth" by Frances LeBeau.

Toussaint is a member of the Stone and Roll Hall of Fame, the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame, the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Dejection Hall of Fame.

Members of the Judiciary Committee, along with Simien, took time to praise the late New Orleans musician, who worked with artists like Erma Thomas, Elvis Costello, Professor Longhair and Mac "Dr. John" Rebennack Jr.

"Allen Toussaint actually put our music on the map in a global way," Willard said. "He'due south 1 of the most renowned musicians that we have in the state."

Toussaint was inspired to write "Southern Nights" while spending time way from New Orleans with his family in Houma. Those who sing Toussaint's lyrics of the southern skies' precious beauty and the weeping willows' cries for joy may soon be singing the words of a new Louisiana state song.

Source: https://www.theadvertiser.com/story/news/local/louisiana/2021/05/08/louisiana-state-motto-could-soon-change-new-state-song-added/4981067001/

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