Star Staff Reports
The River City Chapter, NSDAR presented the City of Millington a framed copy of the Tennessee State Poem, “Oh Tennessee, My Tennessee” August 14 at the Mayor Board of Aldermen Meeting at Millington City Hall. Our state society is commemorating the 50th anniversary of our state poem this year.
It was written by Admiral William Porter Lawrence. He was born in Nashville on Jan. 13, 1930, and played football, basketball, and baseball in high school. He turned down a scholarship to Yale University to attend the Naval Academy where he played all three sports, was elected class president, and rose to the rank of brigade commander — the highest-ranking midshipman. On June 28, 1967, he was shot down over North Vietnam and taken to a prison, nicknamed the “Hanoi Hilton” by POWs. To pass the time, he composed poetry in his mind. Naval Admiral William Lawrence created “Oh Tennessee, My Tennessee.” It describes the love and longing he felt for his beautiful home state, and it was selected the official state poem in 1973 by Public Chapter 111 of the 88th General Assembly.
Deputy Mayor and Alderman Mike Caruthers was presented the poem by Marion Davis and Pam Heide.
“Oh Tennessee, My Tennessee”
What Love and Pride I Feel for Thee.
You Proud Ole State, the Volunteer,
Your Proud Traditions I Hold Dear.
I Revere Your Many Heroes
Who Bravely Fought our Country’s Foes.
Renowned Statesmen, so Wise and Strong,
Who Served our Country Well and Long.
I Thrill at Thought of Mountains Grand;
Rolling Green Hills and Fertile Farm Land;
Earth Rich with Stone, Mineral and Ore;
Forests Dense and Wild Flowers Galore;
Powerful Rivers that Bring us Light;
Deep Lakes with Fish and Fowl in Flight;
Thriving Cities and Industries;
Fine Schools and Universities;
Strong Folks of Pioneer Descent,
Simple, Honest, and Reverent.
Beauty and Hospitality
Are the Hallmarks of Tennessee.
And O’er the World as I May Roam,
No Place Exceeds my Boyhood Home.
And Oh How Much I Long to See
My Native Land, My Tennessee.”
The poem entitled “Oh Tennessee, My Tennessee” by Naval Adm. William Lawrence was designated and adopted as the official state poem by Public Chapter 111 of the 88th General Assembly.
