"Old New Hampshire"

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words by Dr. John F. Holmes

music by Maurice Hoffmann.

Official State Song:

Old New Hampshire

With a skill that knows no measure,
From the golden store of Fate
God, in His great love and wisdom,
Made the rugged Granite State;
Made the lakes, the fields, the forests;
Made the Rivers and the rills;
Made the bubbling, crystal fountains
Of New Hampshire's Granite Hills
.

Second Verse:

Builded he New Hampshire glorious
From the borders to the sea;
And with matchless charm and splendor
Blessed her for eternity.
Hers, the majesty of mountain;
Hers, the grandeur of the lake;
Hers, the truth as from the hillside
Whence her crystal waters break 
.

Refrain:
Old New Hampshire,
Old New Hampshire
Old New Hampshire Grand and Great
We will sing of Old New Hampshire,
Of the dear old Granite State
.

 Refrain:
Old New Hampshire,
Old New Hampshire
Old New Hampshire Grand and Great
We will sing of Old New Hampshire,
Of the dear old Granite State
.

 The song, "Old New Hampshire", was written in 1926. The music was composed by Maurice Hoffman, Jr., the organist of the Franklin Street Congregational Church in Manchester. Dr. John F. Holmes provided the words to the song.

Twice, "Old New Hampshire was rebuffed by the New Hampshire Legislature. In 1941, the song was flatly turned down. In 1943, the Legislature killed a bill proposed by Representative Samuel P. Philbrook of Belmont, for a $1,500 public contest to pick a state song. The contest offered a $500 prize for the music and a $300 prize for the words. Additionally, the bill proposed $700 for a team of judges and for related expenses.

Evidently, by 1949, the Legislature was in a more spirited mood and approved "Old New Hampshire", words by John Franklin Holmes (1878-1955) and music by Maruice Hoffman (1897-1982), to be the official song of the state. This choice was codified by the Legislature on November 29, 1977.

New Hampshire Revised Statutes, Title 1, Chapter 3,  Section  3:7.