by george, it's washington

Why should Virginia be the only one having all the fun of trying to find a song that best depicts its virtues? How about the District of Columbia? Where's its song?

On July 4, 2005, Washington Post writer Paul Farhi lamented, "Washington has many blessings – monuments and memorials, baseball and bureaucrats – but it doesn't have a song. It has never really had one…" But no longer. Washington finally has a song to sing about!

Responding to Farhi's claim that "every great American city has a great, or at least well-known, tune about it," Carol took up the challenge and composed By George, It's Washington. Reminiscent of a John Philip Sousa march and college fight song written with a Broadway flair flavored with patriotism, By George sings the city's praises, teaches a bit of its history and geography and, by George, does it all with a sense of humor.

Although Carol composed By George, It's Washington even before composing Virginia, Ever Enshrined, she didn't get around to recording it till February 2008.

A 1951 contest to choose a theme song for the District resulted in the selection of one which fell flat and was quickly forgotten. Farhi explained in his 2005 lament, "No lyric has ever been catchy enough, no tune sprightly enough, to communicate the virtues of this city to the world."

By George, It's Washington Video Clip

But U.S. Marine Band Senior Assistant Director Major Jason K. Fettig, upon hearing a preview of By George, It's Washington some months after Farhi's article appeared, wrote that he was "very amused by the style and the clever lyrics," and called it "a fine song and very well written." In fact, Major Fettig wished the composer "the best of luck in bringing this song to the attention of individuals who can work on designating it an official song for the District." And a respected and multi-award-winning local musician writes, 'Woo hoo! Very cool...so what d'ya say, Mayor Fenty?'

So maybe, just maybe, Carol has fulfilled Farhi's wish: "Make this town sound cool. Make it seem romantic and lovable. But most of all, just make it sing, kid." And maybe Washington now has a District-centric song which will stick around for a while… to be enjoyed at ball games, in schools, and even on the parade deck.

Lead sheet currently available as pdf download.
Professionally-printed vocal/piano/guitar score is currently available at Foxes Music (Falls Church, VA), Reston Music (Reston, VA), Chantilly Music (Chantilly, VA), Twinbrooke Music (Fairfax, VA), Middle C Music (Washington, DC) or can be ordered from The Musical Source (1-800-2SOURCE or 202-387-7401). May also be ordered directly from Carol for $6, which includes shipping. Please go to the music/songbooks page and then click on "sheet music for individual songs." Order 3 pages (which is $4 plus $2 shipping) for your first copy... although the vocal/piano/guitar score is actually 6 pages long. For each additional copy, add 2 pages (so additional copies cost you just $4 each). Then email Carol with your mailing address. Sorry, the vocal/piano/guitar score is NOT available as a download.
NVMTA and other piano teachers should contact Carol at carol@carolboydleon.com to learn about discounted prices for teachers. Please let her know the number of copies you wish to order.
Read the full press release (PDF)
Video Clip on YouTube

By George, It's Washington
Play Song | Stop

Music and lyrics by Carol Boyd Leon

Washington, D.C., the only place for me to be,
The town where history is always in the making,
Yes, right here in Washington, D.C.,
Founded in seventeen-ninety,
It is the one and only place that can be called,
By George, yes, George called it the Federal City.

No votes* but paddleboats,
Cherry blossoms fill the air.
Foggy Bottom, Farragut Square
And great white columns everywhere!

Georgetown, Tenleytown,
Metro down to Chinatown.
U Street can't be beat nor Rock Creek Park
And pandas barking at the zoo.

Washington Monument,
Lots and lots of government,
A donkey and an elephant,
The White House with the President
Four years or even eight.

Yes, Washington is my town.
No one better put it down.
D.C., you're for me
Your pools reflect our history and dreams.

Washington, D.C.,
The only place for me to be,
The town where history is always in the making,
Yes, right here in Washington, D.C.,
The nation's Capital city,
It is the one and only place that can be called,
By George, yes, George called it not Washington,
But that's its name – with cherry trees and apple pie,
Red, white and blue up in the sky –
It's Washington, By George, It's Washington,
Yes, it's my Washington, D.C.

Sarah Brett England, arranger and keyboard. Larry Eschler, vocals. Curt Christensen, trumpet. Jack Hingel, percussion. Recorded at Cue Recording, Falls Church, VA, February 2008.

* And thinking ahead to what she hopes is the very near future, Carol has the song ready for when the District gets the vote. It's already been recorded with replacement words: "WE GOT THE VOTE!"