On March 12, 2007, John Denver’s “Rocky Mountain High” was adopted as Colorado’s second state song by the passage of Senate Joint Resolution 07-023. Most people know and relate to this song but have never heard the original state song which was approved by Governor George Carlson in 1915 and called “Where the Columbines Grow,” by A. J. Fynn. Inspiration for Mr. Fynn’s song came as he passed through a columbine-filled meadow on his way to Southwestern Colorado in 1896. Interestingly, the word Colorado does not appear in the song, and its lack of popularity has prompted several attempts to replace it.
Now everyone can listen to “Where the Columbines Grow” by going to the site called Colorado State Song. If you would like the sheet music, our library can fax or mail it to you.
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Wow. This is depressing news. The original state song is prefectly fine. Rocky Mountain High is a drug song. Good old John Denver, mowing his lawn in the nude (re:interview with TV Guide), addicted to cocaine. Lovely. And I missed the news.
I am from Colorado and I love this song because it describes Colorado perfectly as the way God made it