The official state song of Oklahoma is not a waltz, it is the Rodger and Hammerstein's classic Oklahoma!. But in 1982, as part of the Oklahoma's Diamond Jubilee Celebration of its 75th year as a state, they named Oklahoma Wind as the official state waltz.
https://www.okhistory.org/kids/printables/OklahomaWind.pdf
In a private communication, Dr. Dale, as he called by most people who know him, shared the thoughts he wanted to express in Oklahoma Wind. Here are his words:
I have always had a great sense of pride in my home state of Oklahoma. Over time, I wrote songs about Her but, generally speaking, my early compositions were stories about how I was emotionally impacted. My compositions related to my family pride and the feeling of my perceived roots. My father was a very intelligent but never schooled. He could not read or write. He was a loving and kind man, as was my mother. I was proud of my dad. I spoke of him in a line in a song..."I'm proud to be the son of a son of Oklahoma and you can bet your life, like him, I'm here to stay....."
As can be noted in nearly all of my songs, Oklahoma historical events are at the base of the compositions. For the song "Oklahoma Wind", I site major prevalent historical episodes. I wanted the lyrics to call these events to mind. "In an ancient sunrise lighting the sky, men and spirits came riding by on the land that was taken by you and I, in the wind..." Of course, this is a reference to the land being taken from the Native Americans. Another reference is..." the wind kept blowin' and moved us with haste. We devoured this country just for the taste of the land that was theirs, Lord, what a waste, in the wind!"
The second episode references the Western movement and the great Land Run of 1889. ....."Just a driftin' cowboy ridin' along, I heard the wind call and I had to belong to the land that was callin' and growin' up strong, in the wind. We waited for the signal to start the race, all we had to do was to drive our stakes in the land that was willin' to give us a place in the wind." Anyone who participated in the Land Run could claim and was given the right to 60 acres of land around the point in which they drove their stake.
The third episode references the Oklahoma drought (dust bowl era) of the 1930s. The verse further refers to the 'grit' of those who stayed in Oklahoma (my father and mother) while, at the same time. there was an on-going 'Okie' exodus to California. The last two lines is a statement about Oklahoma's recovery...."and now she's (the wind) blowin' across the plain, over fields of golden grain. Everybody knows She's alive again, in the wind".
As earlier stated, my compositions are all about our history. My hope has always been to find a way to have young Oklahoma students know more about our State history. As an educator, I think it is important to have young people know more about WHO WE ARE. To achieve this, young people need to know WHERE WE'VE BEEN. Ultimately, this foundation will help them take us to WHERE WE ARE GOING. After all, the wind keeps blowing.
No shortage of Oklahoma Waltzes - maybe one of the longest lists. Most popular recording appears to be that of Johnny Bond, "It happened in old Oklahoma" or the polka version of the same song usually called Old Oklahoma Waltz first recorded by Yankovic. Eliminates verse, just uses chorus and changes order of lyrics.
not a waltz but Johnny Bond sings Oklahoma Hills live here - https://youtu.be/t7YkcqLF1oI
In 1958, the polka musician Frankie Yankovic recorded his version which includes only the chorus.
1947, Jack Perry and the Light Crust Doughboys - not johnny bond "beautiful, beautiful Oklahoma.
Bernie and Blondie Roberts moon sailing on high. polka version with full lylrics.
full polka version
Byron Berline - not the Johnny bond tune. instrumental
Spade Cooley "come to Oklahoma" - not the Johnny Bond tune
Teresa Black -on sunday, my pop would drive us" not Johnny Bond tune.
Karaoke from Phillipines?? Johnny Bond tune
another cover from Phillipines? https://youtu.be/Yv8GkXzmhV4
It's big in the Philipines - https://youtu.be/ou1EYtdABnw
cover - johnny bond - https://youtu.be/kF_fPtxjcAM
cover johnny bond - https://youtu.be/ZNxSWRszSZw
amateur fiddle, not sure which version - https://youtu.be/gtMfeGmRuTg
cover - johnny bond - https://youtu.be/5pnpjlKfPP0
civer - johnny bond, first polka version - Frankie Yankovic - https://youtu.be/MpQbhN80Pqs
Chicken in the Snowbank - sounds like a new version - instrumental not johnny bond
Mistletoe version - composers listed in video melody very close to Bond but words quite different.
Oklahoma Waltz, "When we were dancing beneath the prairie moon" by Kelly McCune and Border Radio not johnny bond
Gene Ray, "we were dancing to the music of the Oklahoma Waltz" composer listed on label not johnny bond.
not johnny bond
Don Boots, not bond "oh the band was playing the oklahoma waltz
Peter Watercott, instrumental - nice
Kenny Waters, "I remember when I was but a child"
Waltz me Across Oklahoma
Acie Cargill, "Please give my your hand I'll lead you out to the dance floor" - very fast waltz
Bob Wills, Good Old Oklahoma - wonderful
Tom Paxton, Home, Sweet Oklahoma - very nice.
1948, Cowboy Copas, Rose of Oklahoma. written by Rose E. Black
Richie Lawrence, My Oklahoma Hills - different, very solemn.
Riders in the Sky, My Oklahoma
All Across Oklahoma
Jason Eklund, Loves in Oklahoma
Steve Young, My Oklahoma - different song from Riders in the Sky
Wilf Carter, My Oklahoma Rose
My Rose of Oklahoma, mystery record may or may not be different listen better
Carter Sampson, Queen of Oklahoma
Wink Burcham, Town in Oklahoma
Ramos y Ortega, La Tragedia de Oklahoma, Part 1. Part 2 is here.
Don Williams, Where the Arkansas River Leaves Oklahoma
Scud Mountain Boys, Oklahoma
Dan Bern, Oklahoma - tribute to the bombing in Tulsa
Kevin Danzig, Oklahoma Miner
Oscar Brand, Oklahoma Moon
Snow Brothers, Oklahoma Moon (different than above)
Freddy Pigg, Oklahoma Rose
John Nelson, Oklahoma Saturday Night
Prior to 1953, our first-and-only state song was "Oklahoma, a Toast," written by Harriet Parker Camden in 1905 and revised by Marie Crosby. It was adopted as the state song on March 26, 1935, at which time the Legislature noted that most schools have been singing it for years already. https://youtu.be/zO-nUc4wyyk
The Junior Chamber of Commerce named first state song of Oklahoma was Pinky Tomlin's 1938 hit In Ole Oklahoma. Never agreed to by legislature. They picked oklahoma, a Toast. The state song for Oklahoma is, no surprise here, the Oscar Hammerstein classic, Oklahoma! from the 1943 musical by the same name. The surprise is that in 1982, the state legislature designated Oklahoma Wind by Dr. Dale Smith as the official state waltz.
don't forget that oh what a beautiful morning comes from the broadway show Oklahoma
Records not on youtube
Jack Cawley Oklahoma Waltz https://www.discogs.com/Jack-Cawleys-Oklahoma-Ridge-Runners-Oklahoma-Waltz-Tulsa-Waltz/release/7304536
Nev Nichols written by Kenton from Australia https://www.discogs.com/Nev-Nicholls-With-Dick-Carrs-Buckaroos-Blue-Melody/release/8124468
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