By Jeff Waters

jeff.waters@gaflnews.com



Time may be running out on the Old Folks at Home.

Florida’s state song, “The Swanee River (Old Folks at Home),” could be replaced next spring when the legislature convenes to consider whether racially tinged lyrics and references to plantation life are overly offensive.

Plans to replace the song have been in the works for a while. Months ago the Florida Music Educators Association began assembling possible replacements from around the state. On Tuesday the field of 243 was narrowed to three by a panel of experts.

Citizens will make the final cut. Online voting will continue through Jan. 10. The winner will be announced Jan. 11 and later considered by lawmakers as a replacement for the current standard.

Florida’s state song, also known as “Way Down Upon the Suwannee River,” was written by Stephen C. Foster and adopted by the legislature on May 25, 1935. The song has made the Suwannee River famous, but has also been criticized for its references to plantation life and to “darkeys.”

“I know it’s an historical song, but it has some racial overtones,” said local NAACP President Sam Beasley.

As for other community leaders, Mayor Sonny Nobles says he does not believe there is a need to change the song. He notes that it put Suwannee County on the map, and that it was written to reflect the time during which it was written. School board member James Cooper said he has no problem with the current song and is in favor of keeping it. Local resident Lashonda McClendon says she likes the old song the way it is. “Don’t change anything, she said, as her small son standing beside began singing the opening bars of “Way Down Upon the Suwannee River.”



THE FINALISTS



“Florida My Home,” music by

Carl Ashley (Boynton Beach) and

lyrics by Betsy Dixon (Boynton Beach). This one makes a brief mention

of the Suwannee River.



“My Florida Home,” music and lyrics by Christopher Marshall (Orlando),

refers to a “land of sunshine,

by flowers defined.”



“Florida (Where the Sawgrass

Meets the Sky),” music and lyrics

by Jan Hinton (Pompano Beach),

mentions mockingbirds and ‘gators.



You can listen to all three songs and

vote for your favorite at

www.justsingflorida.org.

You can only vote once so you will

have to register your name,

cell phone number and e-mail

address before voting.