News

Song About Maine’s Civil War Soldiers Could be State Ballad

Song About Maine’s Civil War Soldiers Could be State Ballad

Photo: 560 WGAN Newsradio


AUGUSTA, Maine (AP)   A Democratic legislator wants to declare a song about Maine’s most renowned Civil War soldiers as the official state ballad.

The Portland Press Herald reports that Democratic Rep. Scott Cuddy’s bill would name “The Ballad of the 20th Maine” by the band The Ghost of Paul Reverse as the state ballad.

Maine doesn’t have a state ballad. It does have a little known, official song dating back to the early 1930s: “The State of Maine Song” by Roger Vinton Snow of Portland.

The state’s official march is “The Dirigo March,” which lawmakers approved in 2012.

Republican Rep. Will Tuell said it’s possible the public is tired of proposals to create new state symbols.

Lawmakers referred the bill to committee on April 11 but no public hearing is listed online yet.

Latest Headlines

19 hours ago in Local

Waldoboro Police Looking for Missing Man

Officers first announced the man was missing last Friday.

20 hours ago in Local

New Scam Targets Mainers With QR Code for Payments

The message included a QR code with payment instructions and a list of violations.

20 hours ago in Local

Bates College Lifts Shelter-In-Place as Lewiston Police Search for Armed Man

Students at Bates College in Lewiston were told to shelter-in-place Thursday afternoon due to reports of a man with a gun.

24 hours ago in Local

Maine motorcyclist dies after crashing into utility pole in Wales

A 51-year-old motorcyclist is dead after police say he crashed into a utility pole in Wales.

24 hours ago in Local

Maine Congressman Golden is sole House Democrat to vote against war powers resolution

Maine Democratic Congressman Jared Golden joined Republicans in defeating a measure to limit the president's ability to wage war in Iran.