Maryland Moves to Finally Scrub ‘Northern Scum’ From State Song

The tune is familiar — it’s “O, Tannenbaum”/”O, Christmas Tree.” But the words to Maryland’s state song are anachronistically odd:

The despot’s heel is on thy shore, Maryland! His torch is at thy temple door, Maryland! Avenge the patriotic gore, that flecked the streets of Baltimore, and be the battle queen of yore, Maryland! My Maryland!

And later:

I hear the distant thunder-hum, Maryland! The Old Line’s bugle, fife, and drum, Maryland! She is not dead, nor deaf, nor dumb — Huzza! she spurns the Northern scum! She breathes! She burns! She’ll come! She’ll come! Maryland! My Maryland!

It’s a . . .

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