The University of Maryland’s marching band will no longer play the official state song of Maryland at school sporting events because of its ties to racism.
“Maryland, My Maryland” was written in 1861 by James Ryder Randall, who was downcast after the death of a friend who was shot while protesting Union troops in Baltimore.
The song talks of defeating the “Northern scum” and refers to President Abraham Lincoln as a “despot.” It quickly became a pro-Confederate battle hymn.
University spokesperson Katie Lawson explained the choice to retire the state song, noting that it may only be temporary.
“As part of the university’s efforts to reaffirm our values as a campus community, we are assessing the songs that are played at Intercollegiate Athletic events. We are suspending the playing of ‘Maryland, My Maryland’ to evaluate if it is consistent with the values of our institution at this time.”
The marching band used to play the state song as part of its football pregame show.
Drum major Brian Starace told the Baltimore Sun that he and other band members are glad to see it go.
“It was never something I was too proud to be playing,” said the junior music education major. “It’s for the best to get rid of it.”
State lawmakers have been looking to retire the song for years, with no success, but earlier this month, Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh removed the city’s four Confederate-era monuments for the “safety and security of our people.”
Listen to “Maryland, My Maryland” which strangely sounds like the festive holiday song “Oh, Christmas Tree” below:
