Michigan, My Michigan

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Whilst "My Michigan" is an official state song of the State of Michigan, a more popular song called "Michigan, My Michigan" is considered by many to be Michigan's "unofficial" state song. Winifred Lee Brent Lyster of Detroit wrote the lyrics for the first version of "Michigan, My Michigan" in 1862 to the tune of "O Tannenbaum" Her husband, Henry, was a Civil War surgeon, and Mrs. Lyster was inspired to write the song after the battle of Fredericksburg.

In 1886 Major James W. Long of Grand Rapids wrote new lyrics for "Michigan, My Michigan" for Michigan's semi-centennial celebration. While his words hail Michigan's attributes ("lake-bound shore," "thy pines," jewels glitter in thy mines" and "sails of commerce"), they do not forget the Civil War veterans with references that include "on trust Thy noble sons have bit the dust" and "Thy diadem—thy hero sons."

Douglas Malloch composed new lyrics—deemed more suitable for peacetime—for a convention of the Michigan State Federation of Woman's Clubs in Muskegon in 1902. After the convention, the member clubs sang it at club meetings and at state conventions. Schools used in musical and patriotic programs.

Michigan's State Songs

Sung since the Civil War, "Michigan, My Michigan" has long been considered Michigan's "unofficial" state song. Another song, "My Michigan," has been all but forgotten except in the records of the Michigan Legislature. "My Michigan" was named "an" official song (not "the" official song) of the state in 1937.

History of Michigan Federation of Women's Clubs. Michigan History Magazine, Vol. XII (January, 1928), pp. 70-75. Historical Notes and Comment. Michigan History Magazine, Vol. IV, Nos. 2-3 (1920), pp. 394-395. Michigan, My Michigan. Historical Collections of the Michigan Pioneer and Historical Society, XXXV (1907), pp. 155-169. Michigan, My Michigan. Michigan History Magazine, II (1918), pp. 688-689. Michigan Song. Michigan History Magazine, XIII (1929), pp. 650-652. Updated 10/06/2005 Michigan Historical Center, Department of History, Arts and Libraries