So You Think You Know Oklahoma? Let's Settle the Score with Its State Song!
Ah, Oklahoma. Land of the wind, the wheat, and...well, what exactly is the official song? Buckle up, partners, because this state song situation is more dramatic than a rodeo clown falling off a bucking bull (although hopefully less messy).
The Ballad of Two Oklahomas (and Their Tunes)
Oklahoma used to have a state song called "Oklahoma – A Toast," written in 1935. It was all sunflowers and cotton fields, which sounds lovely, but let's be honest, not exactly the stuff that gets your toes tappin'. Enter a young hotshot politician named George Nigh (seriously, that's his name!). Nigh, upon hearing the rousing anthem "Oklahoma!" from the Broadway musical of the same name, thought, "This! This is the spirit of Oklahoma!"
The Great State Song Showdown (Spoiler Alert: There Were Snacks)
QuickTip: Skim the intro, then dive deeper.
Now, Nigh wasn't exactly met with cheers when he proposed switching the state song. There were some folks (we're lookin' at you, Old Man Huff) who clung to "Oklahoma – A Toast" like a tick to a...well, you get the idea. There may or may not have been a dramatic floor performance of the old song, complete with tears and sniffles. But Nigh, bless his determined heart, rallied the troops (and maybe offered some tasty state fair treats) and got "Oklahoma!" voted in as the official state song in 1953.
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| What is Oklahoma's State Song |
So, Now You Know!
Tip: Keep the flow, don’t jump randomly.
Yep, that catchy tune from the musical, the one that makes you want to grab a partner and do a little two-step, is Oklahoma's official song. "Oklahoma, where the wind comes sweepin' down the plain..." See? How can you not love it?
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How-To FAQ on Oklahoma's State Song:
QuickTip: Short pauses improve understanding.
How to sing it like a true Oklahoman? With gusto! Don't be shy, belt it out like you're auditioning for the next Rodgers and Hammerstein masterpiece.
How to avoid arguments about Oklahoma's state song? Just agree "Oklahoma!" is the best. Unless you're Old Man Huff's ghost, then maybe steer clear of the topic altogether.
How to impress your friends with Oklahoma state song trivia? Drop the knowledge that the song was written by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II, the legendary musical dream team.
Tip: Reread slowly for better memory.
How to find the lyrics to Oklahoma's state song? A quick Google search should do the trick. Bonus points if you learn the whole thing by heart!
How to use Oklahoma's state song at your next party? Blast it on the speakers, grab some friends, and have yourselves a hootenanny!
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