Official Song of the
State of California

I love You California
Written by F. B. Silverwood
Composed by A. F. Frankenstein

California's official state song is "I Love You, California", written by F.B. Silverwood, a Los Angeles merchant. The words were subsequently put to music by Alfred Frankenstein, a former conductor for the Los Angeles Symphony Orchestra. It was the official song of expositions held in San Francisco and San Diego in 1915, and was played aboard the first ship to go through the Panama Canal. In 1951, the State Legislature passed a resolution designating it as California's state song. During the years following, several attempts were made to make other songs such as "California, Here I Come" the official state song. Finally, in 1988, "I Love You, Califomia" became the official state song by law. (Source: California State Library)

Click here to hear the music (midi file) or use the player below

<a href="california.mid">California Midi</A>

I love you California . . . you're the greatest state of all . . .
I love you in the winter, summer, spring, and in the fall.
I love your fertile valleys, your dear mountains I adore.
I love your grand old ocean and I love her rugged shore.

CHORUS
When the snow crowned Golden Sierras, Keep their watch o'er the valleys bloom.
It is there I would be in our land by the sea, Every breeze bearing rich perfume.
It is here nature gives of her rarest. It is Home Sweet Home to me.
And I know when I die I shall breathe my last sigh, For my sunny California.

I love your redwood forests - love your fields of yellow grain.
I love your summer breezes, and I love your winter rain.
I love you, land of flowers; land of honey, fruit and wine.
I love you, California; you have won this heart of mine.

I love your old gray Missions - love your vineyards streteching far.
I love you, California, with your Golden Gate ajar.
I love your purple sunsets, love your skies of azure blue.
I love you, California; I just can't help loving you.

I love you, Catalina - you are very dear to me.
I love you, Tamalpais, and I love Yosemite.
I love you, Land of Sunshine.
Half your beauties are untold.
I loved you in my childhood, and I'll love you when I'm old.

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