The state song is indeed "Washington My Home" by Helen Davis who, if she is
still with us, is a resident of Pacific County and a class act. When the very
entertaining "Louie Louie" craze was washing over Olympia in 1985-6, the more
pompous legislators invited Helen to come play "her" song for the assembled
multitudes beneath the capital dome. There was dead silence as she adjusted
herself to the piano but pandemonium and cheers broke loose when instead of
banging out her tune, she broke into "Louie Louie." She won everyone's heart
that day and the push for Louie Louie never had a chance.

Her song was officially adopted in 1959 -- see RCW 1.20.0070.

Woody Guthries Roll n Columbia, Roll On, however, was immortalized as the
state folk song in 1987-- see RCW1.20.073.

Working at the legislature was always entertaining!

------------------------------------------------
Fred Bird
fredbird at halcyon.com
1249 NE 92nd Street Snohomish County Council staff
Seattle, Washington 98115 206-388-3494
206-526-5671