While watching the local news last night, something caught by attention. Our local news channel usually plays a small song, or something of the like, about Tennessee, along with small segments of local areas in Knoxville and the Smoky Mountains. For the past few weeks, they’ve used the poem, Oh Tennessee, My Tennessee. It’s quite a powerful poem, but the history of its author makes it more meaningful. Naval Admiral William Lawrence composed this poem while enduring a 60 day period of solitary confinement in a North Vietnamese prisoner of war camp. Lawrence, a native of Nashville, Tennessee, spent a total of six years as a prisoner of war during the Vietnam War. It was adopted as the official state poem of Tennessee in 1973. I thought it would be appropriate to share with all who love Tennessee. 

Oh Tennessee, My Tennessee

Oh Tennessee, My Tennessee
What Love and Pride I Feel for Thee.
You Proud Ole State, the Volunteer,
Your Proud Traditions I Hold Dear.

I Revere Your Heroes
Who Bravely Fought our Country’s Foes.
Renowned Statesmen, so Wise and Strong,
Who Served our Country Well and Long.

I Thrill at Thought of Mountains Grand;
Rolling Green Hills and Fertile Farm Land;
Earth Rich with Stone, Mineral and Ore;
Forests Dense and Wild Flowers Galore;

Powerful Rivers that Bring us Light;
Deep Lakes with Fish and Fowl in Flight;
Thriving Cities and Industries;
Fine Schools and Universities;
Strong Folks of Pioneer Descent,
Simple, Honest, and Reverent.

Beauty and Hospitality
Are the Hallmarks of Tennessee.

And O’er the World as I May Roam,
No Place Exceeds my Boyhood Home.
And Oh How Much I Long to See
My Native Land, My Tennessee.

 

– Naval Admiral William Porter Lawrence