Governor Janet Mills today signed LD 1541, "An Act To Establish "Ballad of the 20th Maine" as the Official State Ballad" sponsored by Representative Scott Cuddy of Winterport. During the signing ceremony in the Hall of Flags, Governor Mills was joined by the creator of the Ballad, the band The Ghost of Paul Revere, who also performed it after the bill signing.
“Music transcends the bounds of time, distance, language, and culture to bring people together,” said Governor Mills. “The ‘Ballad of the 20th Maine’ does just that by reminding us of our proud heritage, the role our great state has played in the history of our nation, and to be forever grateful to those who served and saved our country.”
“Making The Ghost of Paul Revere's 'The Ballad of the 20th Maine' our official State Ballad honors the courage of Mainers who fought in the Civil War, the tenacity of our people and adds to the catalog of art that represents us as a state,” said Rep. Scott Cuddy, D-Winterport. It also promotes the wealth of artistic talent we have here in Maine. I thank Governor Mills for signing this bill into law and elevating the work of Maine musicians like the members of The Ghost of Paul Revere.”
While Maine has a State Song: “The State of Maine Song”, by Roger Vinton Snow adopted in 1931, as well as a State March, “The Dirigo March” by Leo Pepin adopted in 2012, “The Ballad of the 20th Maine” is Maine’s first State Ballad.
Through the eyes of soldier and son of Litchfield, Andrew Tozier, the ballad follows the men of the 2nd Maine Infantry Regiment as they joined the 20th Maine and fought valiantly at Little Round Top during the Battle of Gettysburg.
The lyrics to “The Ballad of the 20th Maine” are below. Upon Governor Mills’ signature, the law will take effect 90 days after the adjournment of the Legislature.
My name is Andrew Tozier, a child of Lichfield Maine
I left my only family for sea, and salt, and rain
When Lincoln called the banners in 1861
I joined the union army for the land I'm from
We were baptized by fire, at the battle of Bull Run
And we fought our southern brothers, in the wind, the snow, and sun
And when our time was over, we heard our Governor say
Keep fighting for the union, for just another day
So we joined the lion of Bowdoin, Chamberlain his name
and we marched back into battle as the 20th of Maine
If we should die today, dream a dream of heaven
Take your northern heart with you to the grave
Be proud and true you are a union soldier
Stand fast, ye are the boys of Maine
Well, our western flank was missing
As the confederates pushed on
And we fought them tooth and nail
Our ammunition all but gone
Alone I stood with colors
Flying proud and true
For to let my northern brothers know
the battle was not through
Then appeared our lion roaring bayonets
Charging down the mountain with what soldiers we had left
We were steadfast as katahdin, hard as winters rain
Take that rebel yell with you to hell
We are the 20th Maine
If we should die today, dream a dream of heaven
Take your northern heart with you to the grave
Be proud and true you are a union soldier
Stand fast, ye are the boys of Maine