Michigan Official Song

"My Michigan"

Words by Giles Kavanagh
Music by H. Clint O'Reilly.

Published by H. Clint O'Reilly Co. 
Copyright 1933 by H. Clint O'Reilly Music Publishers, Detroit, Mich.

Adopted on May 21, 1937.

"My Michigan" is the Official Song of Michigan, passed by concurrent resolution on May 21, 1937.

Michigan Official Song: "My Michigan"

"My Michigan"

NetState has the words to this song and are working to obtain permission to publish them on NETSTATE.COM.

Origin of Song: "My Michigan"

My Michigan is the title of the State of Michigan's only official state anthem. It was written by Giles Kavanagh (lyrics) and H. Clint O'Reilly  (music) in 1933. It was published by Clint's own music publishing company at Detroit. It was formally adopted as an official  song by the Michigan Legislature in 1937 by Concurrent Resolution 17.

Ironically, for being an official state anthem, the song is rarely sung and never used on formal state occasions. This may be because doing so would incur liability to pay a royalty. The State did not purchase or/and the authors would not sell the copyright, and neither was the song released into the public domain. Under current federal law, the song's copyright will expire at the end of the 70th year following the deaths of its authors. There are two version of the sheet music; one is held at the Rare Book Room at the Library of Michigan and the other is housed at the Bentley Historical Museum

My Michigan, words by Giles Kavanagh and music by H. Clint O'Reilly, is the Official Song of Michigan, passed by concurrent resolution on May 21, 1937.

When the Michigan Historical Center finished their research, complete information regarding the adoption of "My Michigan" was posted online with clear documentation and explanation. Unfortunately, the Department of History, Arts and Libraries was abolished by Executive Order No. 2009-36 in 2009.

Michigan's State Songs: 2002 Research of the Michigan Historical Center that was posted on the website of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment.  

Final Resolution

A House Concurrent Resolution No. 17 designating and adopting "My Michigan," as composed and written by Giles Kavanagh and H. O'Reilly Clint, as an official song of the State of Michigan.

House Concurrent Resolution No. 17

A concurrent resolution designating and adopting "My Michigan," as composed and written by Giles Kavanagh and H. O'Reilly Clint, as an official song of the State of Michigan.

Whereas, The words and music in the song "My Michigan," as composed and written by Giles Kavanagh and H. O'Reilly Clint, express the hopes, ambitions and pride of the people of the State of Michigan; and

Whereas, On June 18, 1936, Governor Frank D. Fitzgerald designated "My Michigan," as an official song of the State of Michigan, in true recognition of the fine thoughts conveyed in the words and music of this lovely memorial to the State of Michigan; now therefore be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That the 1937 Michigan Legislature designates and adopts "My Michigan," as an official song of the State of Michigan.


State Songs
US State Songs
Forty-nine states of the United States (all except New Jersey) have one or more state songs, selected by the state legislature as a symbol of the state.