New Mexico Symbols, Song: O' Fair New Mexico

Adopted in 1917.

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Chapter 12, Article 3 of the New Mexico Statutes Annotated 12-3-5. [State song; adoption.]

That the words and music of the song written by Elizabeth Garrett, entitled, "O, Fair New Mexico," as follows:
Under a sky of azure, where
& balmy breezes blow;
Kissed by the golden sunshine,
& is Nuevo Mejico.
Home of the Montezuma, with
& fiery heart aglow,
State of the deeds historic,
& is Nuevo Mejico.

(Chorus)

O, fair New Mexico, we love,
& we love you so
Our hearts with pride o'erflow,
& no matter where we go,
O, fair New Mexico, we love,
& we love you so,
The grandest state to know,
& New Mexico.

Second Verse
Rugged and high sierras, with
& deep canyons below;
Dotted with fertile valleys,
& is Nuevo Mejico.
Fields full of sweet alfalfa,
& richest perfumes bestow,
State of apple blossoms,
& is Nuevo Mejico.

(Chorus)
Third Verse
Days that are full of heart-dreams,
& nights when the moon bangs low;
Beaming its benediction o'er
& Nuevo Mejico.
Land with its bright manana,
& coming through weal and woe;
State of our esperanza,
& is Nuevo Mejico.

(Chorus)   History: Laws 1917, ch. 108, § 1; C.S. 1929, § 136-101; 1941 Comp., § 3-1304; 1953 Comp., § 4-14-4.

Origin of Song:

Elizabeth Garrett was born in 1885 at the family's ranch in Little Creek Canyon, north of a village known as Alto. Pat Garrett, no longer a sheriff of Lincoln County, had moved to the canyon, where he built a ranch and raised cattle. She lost her eyesight when she was only a few hours old because of an over application of blue vitriol to her eyes. She was one of seven children born to Pat and Apolinaria Garrett. Elizabeth Garrett will not only be remembered as the daughter of the famed Sheriff Pat Garrett, but as the composer of New Mexico's state song, "Oh Fair New Mexico," a song that expresses so simply her beloved New Mexico.

In 1917, Governor Washington E. Lindsey signed the legislation making O, Fair New Mexico the official State Song. In 1928 John Philip Sousa presented an arrangement of the state song to Governor A.T. Hannett and the people of New Mexico embracing a musical story of the Indian, the Cavalry, the Spanish, and the Mexican.

Source: New Mexico Blue Book

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