O Fair New Mexico

"O Fair New Mexico", the regional anthem of the U.S. state of New Mexico was officially selected as the state song in 1917. It was adopted as the state song by an act of the New Mexico legislature, approved on March 14, 1917, as signed by New Mexican governor Washington E. Lindsey.[1]

"O Fair New Mexico"
Song by Elizabeth Garret
Recorded1924
StudioMarsh Laboratories
GenreTango
LabelAutograph Records
Songwriter(s)Elizabeth Garret
Composer(s)Elizabeth Garret
Lyricist(s)Elizabeth Garret
Audio sample
O Fair New Mexico, recorded by Elizabeth Garrett in 1924
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History

The author of the song, Elizabeth Garrett, was the daughter of former Lincoln County Sheriff Pat Garrett, the man who killed Billy the Kid.[1] "O Fair New Mexico" was composed and copyrighted in 1915 as a guardia vieja era tango. [1][2][3][4]

On March 14, 1917, the New Mexico legislature and then governor Washington E. Lindsey approved the song as the official state song of New Mexico.[1]

In 1924, Elizabeth Garret made a recording of the song at Marsh Laboratories in Chicago, released on the Autograph Records label (which was owned by Marsh Laboratories).[4][5]

In 1928, John Philip Sousa presented then New Mexico governor Governor Arthur T. Hannett with a version of the song arranged as a march.[6]

Contemporary versions of the state song have been arranged with more of a New Mexico music style.

Lyrics

The following are the lyrics for "O Fair New Mexico":[1]

First verse
Under a sky of azure, where balmy breezes blow,
Kissed by the golden sunshine, is Nuevo México.
Home of the Montezuma, with fiery hearts a glow,
State of the deeds historic, is Nuevo México.
Chorus
O fair New Mexico, we love, we love you so
Our hearts with pride o'erflow , no matter where we go,
O fair New Mexico, we love, we love you so,
The grandest state to know, New Mexico.
Second verse
Rugged and high sierras, with deep canyons below;
Dotted with fertile valleys, is Nuevo México.
Fields full of sweet alfalfa, richest perfumes bestow,
State of the apple blossoms, is Nuevo México.
Chorus
Third verse
Days that are full of heart-dreams, nights when the moon hangs low;
Beaming its benediction, o'er Nuevo México.
Land with its bright mañana, coming through weal and woe;
State of our esperanza, is Nuevo México.
Chorus

See also
  • "Así Es Nuevo Méjico", the Spanish state song

References
  1. "The New Mexico State Song", NSTATE, LLC, December 2004, web: Netstate-song-nm.
  2. Mondragon, Roberto. "New Mexico Secretary of State, State Songs". New Mexico Secretary of State. Retrieved 27 June 2019.
  3. "Guardia Vieja I: 1895 to 1910". Tangology 101. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
  4. Hatchitt, Mary Ann. "Historic Recording of State Song to be Unveiled at Opening of The Land That Enchants Me So Exhibition at New Mexico History Museum on March 2". New Mexico History Museum. Retrieved 2 February 2018.
  5. Terrell, Steve. "Long-lost state song recording featured in upcoming exhibit". Santa Fe New Mexican. Retrieved 7 February 2018.
  6. "Official State Song – "O Fair New Mexico"". New Mexico Secretary of State. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
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