Here We Have Idaho

"Here We Have Idaho" is the official state song of Idaho. The music for the Idaho state song, composed by Sallie Hume Douglas, was copyrighted on 4 November 1915, under the title "Garden of Paradise."

In 1917, McKinley Helm, a student at the University of Idaho, wrote the verse which became the chorus of the Idaho State song, and Alice Bessee set the words to the music by Sallie Hume Douglas. The song was popular then, and Bessee had no idea of its origin.

This song won the annual university prize for that year, and eventually became the university's alma mater. Albert J. Tompkins, Director of Music in the Boise Public Schools, wrote a set of verses for the song. In 1931, the Idaho Legislature designated "Here We Have Idaho," previously known at the University of Idaho as "Our Idaho," as the Idaho state song.

verse 1

You've heard of the wonders our land does possess...
Its beautiful valleys and hills...
The majestic forests where nature abounds...
We love every nook and rill...

Chorus

And here we have Idaho...
Winning her way to fame...
Silver and gold in the sunlight blaze...
and romance lies in her name...

Singing, we're singing of you...
Ah, proudly too,
All our lives through (quickly)we'll go
Singing, singing of you,
Singing of Idaho.

verse 2

There's truly one state in this great land of ours
Where ideals can be realized.
The pioneers made it so for you and me,
A legacy we'll always prize.

Chorus

verse 2

verse 1

Chorus

Idaho State Government Website

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