Kansas March
The Kansas Legislature adopted “The Kansas March” as the official state march in 1935. The march was written by Duff E. Middleton, director of instrumental music for the Wichita public schools from 1928 to 1947. Middleton gained national respect for his work with bands and also served as the director of the American Legion Band in Wichita. (The second official state march is "Here's Kansas.")
No lyrics were originally published for "The Kansas March." Victor Murdock, editor of the Wichita Eagle, wrote lyrics to be sung during a portion of the song.
Blue sky above us, silken strands of heat
Rim of the far horizon, where earth and heaven meet,
Kansas as a temple, stands in velvet sod
Shrine which the sunshine, sanctifies to God.
In 1953 Robert R. Jones rearranged the music and wrote words for the march tune. This arrangement was published as a musical piece titled "Cheers For Kansas." The music was attributed to Middleton and the words were attributed to Jones, who held the copyright. A copy of "Cheers For Kansas" was gifted to the Kansas Historical Society on October 19, 1954.
Cheers For Kansas
Lyrics by Robert R. Jones and music by Duff E. Middleton
Sing ad astra and per aspera
to the stars thru' work and strife.
(Oh yes, we mean it, Kan-sas)
Tells us how a bleeding Kansas fought
to preserve a way of life, Oh!
Valiant Kansans vanquished ruffians,
then Cor'nado's dream fulfilled,
Not in the cities of Quivera,
but in a fertile land well tilled.
Yes, Kansas
Our Kansas wheat fields, cross the rolling plain,
Bright sunflow'rs, green pastures there,
Part of our Jayhawk domain, (Oh! Yes we love it)
Folks are guided by stars, both hands on the plow,
Onward ever upward
CHEERS FOR KANSAS now.
Our Kansas wheat fields, cross the rolling plain,
Bright sunflow'rs, green pastures there,
Part of our Jayhawk domain, (Oh! Yes we love it)
Folks are guided by stars, both hands on the plow,
Onward ever upward
CHEERS FOR KANSAS now.
This recording of The Kansas March was made by Marshall's Band of Topeka.
The Kansas Statutes, Chapter 73, Section 73-801 include sheet music within the statute. “The Kansas March” was adopted as, "...the official state march of Kansas."
CHAPTER 73. SOLDIERS, SAILORS AND PATRIOTIC EMBLEMS
ARTICLE 8. STATE MARCHES
SECTION 73-801. THE KANSAS MARCH
73-801. The Kansas March The march "The Kansas March," composed by Duff E. Middleton, is hereby established as the official state march of Kansas. Said march is as follows:
History: L. 1935, ch. 262, § 1; May 15.
Entry: Kansas March
Author: Kansas Historical Society
Author information: The Kansas Historical Society is a state agency charged with actively safeguarding and sharing the state's history.
Date Created: January 2015
Date Modified: September 2015
The author of this article is solely responsible for its content.
