Idaho State Song

"Here We Have Idaho"

Music by Sallie Hume Douglas,
Verses by Albert J.Tompkins,
Chorus by McKinley Helm

Adopted on March 11, 1931.

On March 11, 1931 the Twenty-first session of the Idaho Legislature  designated "Here We Have Idaho", previously known at the University of Idaho as "Our Idaho", as the Idaho state song.

Idaho State Song: "Here We Have Idaho"

"Here We Have Idaho"

You've heard of the wonders our land does possess,
It's beautiful valleys and hills,
The majestic forests where nature abounds,
We love every nook and rill.

chorus

And here we have Idaho
Winning her way to fame.
Silver and gold in the sunlight blaze,
and romance lies in her name.
Singing, we're singing of you,
Ah, proudly too,
All our lives thru, we'll go
Singing, singing of you,
Singing of Idaho.

There's truly one state in this great land of ours
Where ideals can be realized.
The pioneers made it so for you and me,
A legacy we'll always prize.

chorus

Origin of Song: "Here We Have Idaho"

Idaho state song, composed by Sallie Hume Douglas, was copyrighted on November 4, 1915, under the title "Garden of Paradise." In 1917, McKinley Helm, a student at the University of Idaho, wrote the verse which became the chorus of the Idaho State song, and Alice Bessee set the words to the music by Sallie Hume Douglas. The song was popular then, and Alice Bessee had no idea of its origin. This song won the annual University prize for that year, and eventually became the University alma mater. Albert J. Tompkins, Director of Music in the Boise Public Schools, wrote a set of verses for the song. In 1931, the Idaho legislature designated "Here We Have Idaho", previously known at the University of Idaho as "Our Idaho", as the Idaho state song.

Idaho Law

The law designating the song "Our Idaho," as the official Idaho state song is found in the Idaho Statutes, Title 67, Chapter 45, Section 67-4503. The words are included within the statute.

TITLE 67, STATE GOVERNMENT AND STATE AFFAIRS
CHAPTER 45, STATE SYMBOLS
SECTION 03

67-4503. STATE SONG DESIGNATED The song "Here We Have Idaho," sometimes known as "Our Idaho," the music for which was composed by Sallie Hume Douglas, is hereby designated and declared to be the state song of the state of Idaho; provided that credit is given to McKinley Helm for composing the words of the chorus as follows:

"And here we have Idaho
Winning her way to fame
Silver and gold in the sunlight blaze
And romance lies in her name
Singing, we're singing of you
Ah, proudly too
All our lives thru
We'll go singing, singing of you
Singing of Idaho".

Providing further, that credit is given to Albert J. Tompkins for composing the words of the verses as follows:

First verse--
"You've heard of the wonders our land does possess
Its beautiful valleys and hills
The majestic forests where nature abounds
We love every nook and rill."

Second verse--
"There's only one state in this great land of ours
Where ideals can be realized
The pioneers made it so for you and me
A legacy we'll always prize."