Digital Bob Archive

The Alaska Flag Song seems suddenly to have become a center of controversy, which is a poor thing to happen to a state song. It may be that it is time to put it quietly on the shelf for awhile and to revive the original Alaska song.
When I entered the first grade at Sitka in 1917, and through at least the next four or five grades, each day started with a salute to the flag. After that we recited the Pledge of Allegiance, then sang \"Alaska, My Alaska.\" And that, for at least a couple of generations of Alaska school children, was our Alaska song. In my school there were around 40 kids, in three grades, with one teacher. We sang a cappella and if we did not all sing on one key, at least we sang loudly:

O land of gold I sing to thee,
Alaska, my Alaska.
Thy snow-capped peaks I love to see
Alaska, my Alaska.

From Arctic Ocean's frozen shore
To Baranof of Russian lore,
Thy mighty rivers I adore,
Alaska, my Alaska.

In '67 by Seward's might,
Alaska, my Alaska,
Thy inmost wealth was brought to light.
Alaska, my Alaska.

Though slow thy growth through many a year,
Thy motto has been \"Persevere,\"
Thy fame is sung both far and near,
Alaska, my Alaska.

O may thy future shine most clear,
Alaska, my Alaska,
And in the hearts of men grow dear,
Alaska, my Alaska.

Henceforth, 0 fairest land I know,
The wealth from out thy hills shall flow,
And cast o'er all a radiant glow,
Alaska, my Alaska.

The tune was an old one, \"Maryland, My Maryland.\" The words were by Monte A. Snow. One printing of the song carries the date 1902, and that is likely when he wrote the words.

Although he was christened Montgomery after his birth in California in February, 1882, he seems always to have been known as Monte. Just over 100 years ago, on April 24, 1887, Monte arrived in Juneau with his parents, George T. and Anna R. Snow, his sister, Crystal, and an uncle, Joseph A. Snow. They were a theatrical family and four days later the children and their parents were on the stage of the first Palace Theater in a presentation of \"Rip Van Winkle.\"

When Monte was 12 and Crystal 10, in 1894, they became the first white children to cross Chilkoot Pass when their parents moved from Juneau and spent some years in the Interior. Then in 1898 the family moved to Seattle where Monte attended the University of Washington.

Monte Snow began his working career as a singer and entertainer, then in 1909 he became a newspaperman in Alaska and Washington State until his death in 1957. He was survived by his wife and three grown children, including a son, Joseph M. Snow, of Juneau.

Today it is difficult to even find the words to \"Alaska, My Alaska.\" Perhaps it is time for a revival.