Utah inched closer to changing the official state song after a near-unanimous vote on Thursday by the Senate.
Noting that "Utah, This Is the Place" is part of the fourth-grade curriculum and sung by children throughout the state, Sen. David Gladwell, R-North Ogden, urged support of the proposal.
Utah's current state song, "Utah We Love Thee," has been around since 1896, and the accompanying music can be purchased only by special order, Gladwell said. After hearing a performance of the new song by students at Cook Elementary in Syracuse, Sen. Carlene Walker, R-Salt Lake City, said she's withdrawn her initial opposition to the change.
"I am a real traditionalist and was inclined to fight the change because I liked the old song. But you were so enthusiastic and so exciting, I could see how much fun you had singing it."
Because the song honors Utah's pioneer heritage and also embraces Utah's future, Walker said the message is timeless and valuable.
The song's authors have also agreed to relinquish any copyright restrictions, allowing the song to performed at anytime without fear of infringement.
A minor adjustment to the bill's language changing the "Utah We Love Thee" from being the state "anthem" to the state "hymn" needs to be approved in the House.