PA's Official State Song: Adequate Or Awful? Let Patch Know

HARRISBURG, PA — A state legislator is seeking to update the official state song - "Pennsylvania," which was adopted in 1990 and is used for public events such as gubernatorial nominations.

Rep. Joe Ciresi, a Montgomery County Democrat, plans to introduce legislation to form an independent commission to study the state song's history, solicit public submission and recommend changes regarding the official tune. The legislature then would have the option of changing it.

"In the three decades since the state song was adopted, Pennsylvania has changed greatly," Ciresi wrote in a recent memo. "It is time for us to consider updating our state song to better embody the spirit of our great state.

"State symbols bring us together. When we see our state flag and hear our state song, we should be able to share our commonality and celebrate our heritage as fellow Pennsylvanians."

Ciresi did not denigrate the current song, written by Eddie Khoury and Ronnie Bonner, but many music critics reasonably could do so. What do you think of the tune? Let Patch know in the comments section.