{{Short description|Song}} thumb|George Beswick Hynson wrote the lyrics to 'Our Delaware'
'''Our Delaware''' is a poem written by George Beswick Hynson, published in 1904.<ref name= "bill">{{cite news |last=Goss |first=Scott |url= https://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/politics/2018/01/24/delaware-looks-make-official-state-song-gender-neutral/1061581001/ |title=State song bill ignites General Assembly kerfuffle |work=The News Journal |date=January 24, 2018 |access-date=November 19, 2019}}</ref> It comprises three verses, each honoring one of Delaware's three counties, with the fourth verse added by Donn Devine commemorating the American Revolution Bicentennial in 1976.<ref name= "Devine">{{cite news |last=Bies |first=Jessica |url= https://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/2019/05/14/former-wilmington-city-planner-co-writer-state-song-dies-90/1188085001/ |title=Donn Devine, lawyer, civil rights marcher, city planner, co-writer of state song, dies at 90 |work=The News Journal |date=May 14, 2019 |access-date=November 19, 2019}}</ref> It became the state song in 1925 by an act of the General Assembly.<ref name="Moose">{{cite book |last=Moose |first=Katie |title=Uniquely Delaware |publisher=Capstone Classroom pp. 14-15 |year=2004 |isbn=978-1-4034-4713-5}}</ref> The musical score was composed by Will M. S. Brown specifically for the poem.
==Lyrics== === Verse 1=== Oh the hills of dear New Castle,<br /> And the smiling vales between,<br /> When the corn is all in tassel,<br /> And the meadowlands are green;<br /> Where the cattle crop the clover,<br /> And its breath is in the air,<br /> While the sun is shining over<br /> Our beloved Delaware.
===Chorus=== Oh, our Delaware!<br /> Our beloved Delaware!<br /> For the sun is shining over<br /> Our beloved Delaware,<br /> Oh! our Delaware!<br /> Our beloved Delaware!<br /> Here's the loyal son that pledges,<br /> Faith to good old Delaware.
===Verse 2=== Where the wheat fields break and billow,<br /> In the peaceful land of Kent,<br /> Where the toiler seeks his pillow,<br /> With the blessings of content;<br /> Where the bloom that tints the peaches,<br /> Cheeks of merry maidens share,<br /> And the woodland chorus preaches<br /> A rejoicing Delaware.
''(repeat chorus)''
===Verse 3=== Dear old Sussex visions linger,<br /> Of the holly and pine,<br /> Of Henlopen's Jeweled finger,<br /> Flashing out across the brine;<br /> Of the gardens and hedges,<br /> And the welcome waiting there,<br /> For the loyal son that pledges<br /> Faith to good old Delaware.
''(repeat chorus)''
===Verse 4=== From New Castle's rolling meadows,<br /> Through the fair rich fields of Kent,<br /> To the Sussex shores hear echoes,<br /> Of the pledge we now present:<br /> "Liberty and Independence",<br /> We will guard with loyal care,<br /> And hold fast to freedom's presence,<br /> In our home state Delaware.
''(repeat chorus)''
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{List of U.S. state songs}} {{Authority control}}
Delaware Category:Symbols of Delaware Category:1906 songs Category:Songs about Delaware Category:1904 poems
{{Anthem-stub}} {{Delaware-stub}}