SENATE No. 1374
By Mr. Wetmore, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1374) of Robert D. Wetmore and Katherine E. Mullen for legislation to designate the poem “Blue Hills of Massachusetts” as the official state poem. State Administration.
Slip (Eommonmpaltlf of Hflamtarhitaptls
In the Year One Thousand Nine Hundred and Eighty-one.
An Act designating the poem “blue hills of Massachusetts” as the official state poem. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows: 1 Chapter 2of the General Laws, as most recently amended 2 by chapter 333 of the acts of 1979, is hereby further amended 3 by adding the following section: 4 Section 16. The poem, “Blue Hills of Massachusetts” com- -5 posed by Katherine E. Mullen of Barre, Massachusetts shall 6 be the official state poem of the commonwealth. Said poem 7 reads as follows:
8 Massachusetts! Massachusetts! 9 Lovely Bay State by the sea, 10 Chosen by the Pilgrim Fathers 11 In their search for liberty.
12 Massachusetts! Massachusetts! 13 How we love your Indian name! 14 Meaning “Great Blue Hill,” near Boston, 15 Named before the white men came.
16 High locations in the distance, 17 Are serene, majestic blue, 18 Like Mount Greylock or Wachuset, 19 They are fascinating, too.
20 But from Boston to the Berkshires, 21 Lesser heights are bathed in blue, 2 SENATE —No. 1374. [Mar
22 In the early dawn or distance, 23 Like the “Great Hill,” Indians knew.
24 Close to Nature lived the Red Man, 25 Keen to every form and hue, 26 Knew the paths, and streams, and wildlife, 27 And the hills around him, too.
28 On the wide base, of “Great Blue Hill,” 29 Lived the Massachusetts tribe, 30 Kept their Great Chief’s Pilgrim Treaty 31 While the good man was alive.
32 Made in faith with Governor Carver, 33 Sixteen hundred twenty-one, 34 Kept for forty years, sincerely, 35 Till his death in sixty-one!
36 Massachusetts Seal and State Flag 37 Show the Chief in deerskin brown 38 Proudly holding firm his strong-bow, 39 And one arrow, pointing down.
40 “Coat of Arms” of Massachusetts, 41 With our State Star just above, 42 Tribute to a noble Indian, 43 Loyal history that we love!
44 Gentle hillsides and green valleys, 45 Make our lives so pleasant here, 46 While the ever-changing seasons 47 Bring glad contrasts through the year.
48 Autumn foliage is so brilliant 49 It is known throughout the world! 50 Crimson, gold, and blazing orange, 51 In exultant praise unfurled.
52 But by Christmas time in winter, 53 There’s a wonderland of snow! 1981.] SENATE— No. 1374. 3
54 Everywhere, a lovely picture, 55 Anywhere, that we may go.
56 And the vigor of the climate, 57 with the challenges we meet, 58 Make our lives in Massachusetts, 59 a delightful bitter-sweet!
60 Massachusetts! Massachusetts! 61 What a splendid history! 62 Like our great and glorious Nation, 63 In its strength for Liberty!
64 Massachusetts! Massachusetts! 65 Keep the faith true pride instills! 66 May our trust in you be steadfast, 67 As the everlasting hills!
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