History
In 1926, Dr. John F. Holmes of Manchester wrote the song's lyrics. Maurice Hoffman, Jr., the Franklin Street Congregational Church organist of Manchester, wrote the music. The 1941 General Court voted against making it the state song, and the 1943 General Court killed a bill public contest with cash prizes, to pick a state song. In 1949, the General Court voted in favor of designating "Old New Hampshire" as the state song.
In 1963, the legislature approved "New Hampshire, My New Hampshire", by Julius Richelson and Walter P. Smith of Plymouth, as the "Second State Song". The "Third State Song", designated by the legislature in 1973, was "New Hampshire Hills", with music by Tom Powers of Detroit, Michigan, son of retired Director Edward Powers of the State Sweepstakes Commission, and the late Paul Scott Mowrer, state poet laureate.
In March 1977, "Autumn in New Hampshire," by Leo Austin of Warner, was added as the "Fourth State Song". The addition of this song coincided with the creation of an interim board to recommend one "official" state song and designate the remainder of songs as "honorary".
In June 1977, another song law was enacted by the General Court which added four more songs to the listing of state songs, with a stipulation that if none were chosen by the Board as the official state song, they would become "honorary" state songs. The four songs were: "New Hampshire's Granite State" by Annie B. Currier of Londonderry; "Oh, New Hampshire (You're My Home)" by Brownie Macintosh of Hampton; "The Old Man of the Mountain" by Paul Belanger of Berlin, and "The New Hampshire State March" by Rene Richards of Nashua.
The State Song Selection Board consisted of Rep. Richardson D. Benton of Chester, who was the Board's coordinator; William E. Elwell of Portsmouth, who became chairman, Ted Hebert and Robert F. Thibeault of Manchester, who were all named by the Governor of New Hampshire and Council; Senator Robert F. Bossie of Manchester, named by the Senate President; and Rep. Jane F. Sanders of Alton Bay, named by the House Speaker.
On November 29, 1977, the announcement of the name of the official song was made in Representatives Hall. New Hampshire First Lady Gale Thomson, wife of Governor Meldrim Thomson, Jr., drew the choice from a sealed envelope in which the name had been placed by the Board.
In 1983, "New Hampshire Naturally," with words and music by Rick and Ron Shaw, was added to the list of state songs listed in RSA 3:7.
New Hampshire is a state in the New England region of the Northeastern United States. It borders Massachusetts to the south, Vermont to the west, Maine and the Gulf of Maine to the east, and the Canadian province of Quebec to the north. Of the 50 U.S. states, New Hampshire is the fifth smallest by area and the tenth least populous, with a population of 1,377,529 residents as of the 2020 census. Concord is the state capital and Manchester is the most populous city. New Hampshire's motto, "Live Free or Die", reflects its role in the American Revolutionary War; its nickname, "The Granite State", refers to its extensive granite formations and quarries. It is well known nationwide for holding the first primary in the U.S. presidential election cycle, and for its resulting influence on American electoral politics.
Manchester is the most populous city in the U.S. state of New Hampshire and the tenth most populous in New England. As of the 2020 census, it had a population of 115,644.
Peter Hook is an English musician, best known as the bassist and co-founder of the post-punk band Joy Division and its successor New Order. He often used the bass as a lead instrument, playing melodies on the high strings with a signature heavy chorus effect. In New Order, he would do this, leaving the actual basslines to keyboards or sequencers.
Meldrim Thomson Jr. was an American politician who served three terms as the 73rd governor of New Hampshire from 1973 to 1979. A Republican, he was known as a strong supporter of conservative political values.
New Hampshire is a state of the United States, located in the New England region. It is home to several professional performing institutions, including the more than 90-year-old fully professional Symphony New Hampshire based out of Nashua, and the community-based New Hampshire Philharmonic.
The U.S. state of New Hampshire has held two seals since it declared its independence from Great Britain on January 5, 1776. While both seals have been retained, most people are only familiar with the Great Seal due to its corporate use.
The University of New Hampshire at Manchester is the urban campus of the University of New Hampshire College of Professional Studies. It was established in 1967 and is located in Manchester, New Hampshire.
Robert A. Baines is an American politician who served as the 53rd mayor of Manchester, New Hampshire, from 2000 to 2006. A Democrat, he was first elected in November 1999, defeating incumbent Republican Raymond Wieczorek. Manchester mayoral elections are held every other year. In Baines' last successful bid for the office, he was elected by over two-thirds of the voters. He was defeated by Republican Alderman Frank Guinta on November 8, 2005.
James Adams Weston was a civil engineer, banker, and an American politician from Manchester, New Hampshire, who served as mayor of Manchester for several terms and was the 33rd governor of New Hampshire.
Nahum Josiah Bachelder was the 49th governor of New Hampshire from 1903 to 1905. He was a farmer and Republican politician from East Andover, New Hampshire, United States. Bachelder lived at and operated his family farm throughout his life, was a leader in the Grange, and served a single term as Governor of New Hampshire.
New Hampshire is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. During the American Revolution, it was one of the Thirteen Colonies that revolted against British rule. One of the smallest U.S. states in area and population, it was part of New England's textile economy between the American Civil War and World War II. Since the 20th century, the state has been known for its presidential primary, outdoor recreation, its educational boarding schools, and being part of the biotech industry.
Soldiers of the Queen is a song written and composed by Leslie Stuart. The song is often sung and published as "Soldiers of the King" depending on the reigning monarch at the time. The tune was originally composed by Stuart as a march celebrating the opening of the Manchester Ship Canal. The lyrics were added at a later date and the title changed. The song was then interpolated in the musical comedy An Artist's Model (1895).
Geoffrey Turton Shaw was an English composer and musician specialising in Anglican church music. After Cambridge, where he was an organ scholar, he became a schoolmaster, then a schools inspector, while producing a stream of compositions, arrangements, and published collections of music. He was awarded the Lambeth degree of Doctor of Music.
"A Pretty Girl Is Like A Melody" is a popular song written by Irving Berlin in 1919 which became the theme song of the Ziegfeld Follies. The first verse and refrain are considered part of the Great American Songbook and are often covered as a jazz standard.
Katherine Call Simonds was an American musician, dramatic soprano, composer, songwriter, and social reformer. She gave entire concert programs of her own songs, conducted many choruses and did much general musical work. She was widely known by the songs she wrote and the unusual concerts she gave, her programs consisting entirely of works written by her, both words and music.
Ralph George Page was an American contra dance caller. He was influential in spreading it from New Hampshire to the rest of the United States and other countries, and was recognized as an authority on American folk dance overall.
Beginning shortly after the city's incorporation as a city in 1846, elections have been held in the mayor of Manchester, New Hampshire. The following article provides information on the elections for mayor in the city during the 20th century.
Beginning shortly after the city's incorporation as a city in 1846, elections have been held in the mayor of Manchester, New Hampshire. The following article provides information on the elections for mayor in the city during the 21st century.
Robert F. Bossie is an American politician who served in the New Hampshire Senate from the 20th district between 1972 and 1977. His district consisted of Manchester's Wards 3, 10, 11, and 12.
