The State of West Virginia has 4 official state songs:
House Concurrent Resolution No. 19
"Adopting "The West Virginia Hills", "West Virginia, My Home Sweet Home" and "This Is My West Virginia" as official state songs."
WHEREAS, Prior to the year 1947, the State of West Virginia was without an offical state song; and
WHEREAS, The forty-eighth Legislature in 1947 considered it desirable to have offical state songs and did by resolution designate "West Virginia, My Home Sweet Home" as one of the official state songs; and
WHEREAS, The fifty-fifth Legislature in 1961, without knowledge of the fact that "West Virginia, My Home Sweet Home" had previously been designated as one of the official state songs, did designate "The West Virginia Hills" as the offical state song; and
WHEREAS, It is still deemed desirable to have official state songs; and
WHEREAS, "The West Virginia Hills" and "West Virginia, My Home Sweet Home" are still regarded as admirably suited for such purpose; and
WHEREAS, "This Is My West Virginia", with words and music by Mrs. Iris Bell, has been designated the offical Centennial song, and is a poem of love for the State and people of the State; and it is felt by all those who have heard "This Is My West Virginia" and "West Virginia, My Home Sweet Home", that they should each be named offical songs of the State; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the composition known as "The West Virginia Hills", with words by Mrs. Ellen King and music by H. E. Engle, is redesignated one of the official state songs of the State of West Virginia, the composition known as "This Is My West Virginia", with words and music by Mrs. Iris Bell, is designated one of the official state songs of the State of West Virginia, and "West Virginia, My Home Sweet Home", with words and music by Julian G. Hearne, Jr., is redesignated one of the official state songs, each ranking equally with the others in official status and each to rank equally with any other composition which in the future may be designated as an official state song.
H. C. R. 40
"Designating 'Take Me Home Country Roads' written by John Denver, Taffy Nivert, and Bill Danoff and initially recorded by John Denver, an official state song."
WHEREAS, West Virginia currently has three official state songs designated by House Concurrent Resolution No. 19, adopted February 28, 1963, including "This is My West Virginia", "The West Virginia Hills", and "West Virginia, My Home Sweet Home"; and
WHEREAS, "Take Me Home Country Roads" has a pleasing and memorable tune and the lyrics are an apt poetic description of our landscape and heritage; and
WHEREAS, "Take Me Home Country Roads" was written in 1970 and released in 1971, was included on John Denver's breakout album "Poems, Prayers, and Promises", and reach #2 as a single on the U.S. Hot Billboard Hot 100 chart; and
WHEREAS, "Take Me Home Country Roads" has remained a popular and often repeated song for the last 40 years with words and a tune well known nationwide and easily sung by most West Virginians living both in and out of our state; and
WHEREAS, "Take Me Home Country Roads" is performed regularly at most important events within our state, including the memorial service for Senator Robert C. Byrd, the dedication ceremony of Mountaineer Field, and the pre-game and post-game ceremonies at athletic events at West Virginia University; and
WHEREAS, The lyrics are often quoted by popular celebrities and political figures, such as former Senator and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton when referring to our state; and
WHEREAS, The song has been covered by artists from Ray Charles to Olivia Newton-John to the Hermes House Band to the Black Tartan Clan; and
WHEREAS, The song has been an international hit, even being one of the most popular tunes played at Munich's Oktoberfest; and
WHEREAS, It has even appeared in award winning films such as the Japanese hit "Whispers in the Heart"; and
WHEREAS, It has given positive images of West Virginia to an audience that would never otherwise have been found; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That "Take Me Home Country Roads" as written by John Denver, Taffy Nivert, and Bill Canoff be designated an official state song; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates forward a certified copy of this resolution to the Governor.