Oklahoma (song)

"Oklahoma"
Song from Oklahoma!, and the state song of Oklahoma
Published	1943
Writer	Oscar Hammerstein II
Composer	Richard Rodgers

"Oklahoma" is the title song from, and the finale to, the Broadway musical Oklahoma!, named for the setting of the musical play.

The music and lyrics were written by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II. The melody is reprised in the main title of the 1955 film version and in the overtures of both film and musical productions.

Midway through the second act of the play, after the principals Curly and Laurey are married, Curly begins to sing the song and is soon joined by the entire cast as a chorus. The lyric, which briefly depicts the Midwestern twang phonetically, describes the landscape and prairie weather in positive language. It further emphasizes the wholesome aspects of rural life, and the steadfast dedication of the region's inhabitants, against the overtly stated formal backdrop of the territory's impending admission to the Union in 1907.

Hammerstein's lyric is also notable and memorable for its trochaic re-iteration of its title as a chant, and the final iambic eight-letter spelling of the title as a play on the colloquial English word "Okay".

The state of Oklahoma officially adopted the song as its state song in 1953.^[1] It is the only official state song from a Broadway musical. State Representative George Nigh, who later served as the state's Governor, was the principal author of the legislation designating the state song.[1]

Arrangements

The Pride of Oklahoma Marching Band regularly uses two arrangements of the song. "Fanfare and Oklahoma", the first part of the Pride's pregame performance, begins and ends with the melody of "Boomer Sooner". A second, shorter arrangement is closer to the original Broadway version.

The Oklahoma State University Cowboy Marching Band plays a version of the song at sporting events. It is tradition to yell "State!" at the end of the song to show school pride. The school has received permission from Rodgers and Hammerstein to change the ending of the song to include the word "state."^{[citation needed]}

References

1. ^ 25 O.S. § 94.1, Official State Song.

External links

• Title 25 Oklahoma Statutes - Chapter 3: §. 94.3 Words of State Song (which comprise a portion of actual Oklahoma state legislation)