Deshotel, Cloud ask Edwards to veto state song bill

A bill that was passed unanimously by the Senate and 100-1 in the House is now receiving heat from two of Avoyelles Parish's legislators.

State Rep. Daryl Deshotel (R-Hessmer) and State Sen. Heather Cloud (R-Turkey Creek) are asking Gov. John Bel Edwards to veto House Bill 351 to make "Southern Nights" the state's official cultural song because they contend the original bill was amended to eliminate "Give Me Louisiana" as an official state song.

"Give Me Louisiana" was written by Moreauville native Doralice Fontane and was adopted as the state song in 1970. It was the only state song until "You Are My Sunshine" became an official state song in 1977.

Rep. Vincent Pierre (D-Lafayette) presented the bill to make "Southern Nights," written by New Orleans singer/songwriter Allen Toussaint, the state's official cultural song. However, the original bill was amended by Rep. Tanner Magee (R-Houma) to remove "Give Me Louisiana" as the state's official song, to make "You Are My Sunshine" the official state song and to name "Southern Nights" as the state's official cultural song.

The bill was sent to Edwards on June 11. Since it arrived on his desk after the session adjourned, he has 20 days to sign it or veto it before it becomes law without his action.

IMPORTANT TO AVOYELLES

Cloud and Deshotel have asked Edwards to veto HB 351 because it strips the Avoyelles Parish composer 's honor and recognition for writing the official state song of Louisiana.

In a letter to Edwards, the legislators said the bill was amended and passed "in the haste of the final days without proper debate."

The two legislators told Edwards the issue is important to the people of Avoyelles Parish "and should receive a proper and transparent debate. Louisiana history and culture should not be changed overnight in a last minute set of amendments.

"Give Me Louisiana" could have fallen victim to a current trend that seeks to "cleanse" states of the sins of the past. A line that drew some attention during discussion on the state songs was Fontane's reference to "old plantation days" in her description of why Louisiana is the "sweetest of all states."

For those who have never heard Fontane's song, here are its lyrics.

Give me Louisiana,
The state where I was born.
The state of snowy cotton.
The best I've ever known.
A state of sweet magnolias
And creole melodies.
Oh give me Louisiana,
The state where I was born.
Oh what sweet old memories
The mossy old oaks bring.
It brings us the story of our Evangeline,
A state of old tradition,
Of old plantation days,
Makes good old Louisiana
The sweetest of all states.

Give me Louisiana,
A state prepared to share
That good old Southern custom,
Hospitality so rare.
A state of fruit and flowers,
Of sunshine and spring showers.
Oh give me Louisiana,
The state where I was born.
Its woodlands, Its marshes
Where humble trappers live.
Its rivers, its valleys,
A place to always give.
A state where work is pleasure,
With blessings in full measure
Makes good old Louisiana
The dearest of all states.

Give me Louisiana,
Where love birds always sing.
In shady lanes or pastures,
The cowbells softly ring.
The softness of the sunset
Brings peace and blissful rest.
Oh give me Louisiana,
The state where I was born.
The smell of sweet clover,
Which blossoms everywhere.
The fresh new mown hay
Where children romp and play.
A state of love and laughter,
A state for all here after,
Makes good old Louisiana
The grandest of all states.