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That the Michigan Blossom Week song, extolling the beauties of blossom
land, which was broadcasted from three Chicago radio stations and from
Berrien Springs and was sung at the blossom pageant at Benton Harbor
last week, was written by a Hartford woman was not known to many local
people who "listened in."
Mrs. Frank G. Simpson, residing east of town, is the author of the song
which made a decided "hit" as sung by E. C. Edmunds of
Benton Harbor at the radio stations while the Michigan fruit belt was
blanketed with its annual profusion of bloom.
A Day Spring editorial is said to have been the inspiration for the
song. The editorial published some weeks ago, discussing the
approaching blossom period, was ready by Mrs. Simpson while she was at
Pensacola, Fla., and she immediately wrote the verses that added a fine
bit of sentiment to the blossom festival.
Music for the song was written by Mrs. Nate Simpson of Keeler, who was
also at Pensacola at the time. Mrs. Nate Simpson also sang the
blossom time "hit" at the community meeting of sewing clubs at
the Hartford high school auditorium
last Wednesday.
Words of the
song follow:
Blossom Time In Michigan
Oh! It's blossom time in Michigan,
the orchards are in bloom.
The
sunlit air is laden with a rich and rare perfume
Old Winter has been put to rout
and is forced to pack and go.
When
the sunshine lingers warmly,
and the first peach blossoms blow.
Oh! it's blossom time in Michigan, the heyday of the year,
A
matchless time of hope and peace
and true substantial cheer.
For lovely Spring in rich army has come with all her train.
And
decked the hills in tender green,
and blest the earth with rain.
There is no time in all the year, nor any sight so grand,
As
Michigan in springtime, when blossoms rule the land.
You may wander all about the world,
go south or east or west,
But
the homeland sweet in blossom time
surpasses all the rest.
Refrain
Oh!
it's blossom time in Michigan,
My
thoughts are on the wing,
I
can hear the lilting warble
Of
the blue birds as they sing,
I
can feel the lake breeze blowing,
See
the golden sunlight flowing,
Oh!
my heart is turning homeward
At
the calling of the Spring.
--
Mary Watson Simpson
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