Dar Williams :: Maryland, Maryland

Coming back to the free state 

that's a part of me

With the Appalachian range 

and the Allegheny

Heading out to the harbor 

and the streets of Baltimore

Swinging south to cross that long Bay Bridge 

onto the Eastern shore

Maryland, Maryland

Maryland, Maryland

I'm coming back again

Coming back to Maryland

 

I come from the free state, 

free and beautiful

Frederick Douglass portrait 

watched every kid in school

And my parents drove us all 

the county-wide

Anytime that Thurgood Marshall 

called to March on freedom's side

Maryland, Maryland

Maryland, Maryland

I'm coming back again

Coming back to Maryland

In the roaring wind 

that sped the tall ships to the fight

In the hum of the midnight rail 

whose riders kept the flame in sight

And as Rachel Carson lives 

in every songbird's call

Maryland was where I dreamed 

I'd be a force of good for all

Maryland, Maryland

Maryland, Maryland

I became the congressman

For the eighth in Maryland

And so I learned quickly 

what they had in store

Every job I said I'd take, 

they would give me more

When I asked Elijah Cummings 

how I'd see it through

He said there's always time 

to do the work you're supposed to do

Maryland, Maryland

He's from Maryland

Let’s find my friends

From the state of Maryland

But now Frederick Douglass 

calls to Harriet Tubman

Gotta raise the lantern 

for the conscience of our government

We know the backwards clock 

we learned to read the signs

From every bloody tug of war 

out on the Mason Dixon line

Maryland, Maryland

Lead the way again

Maryland, Maryland

'Cause when you come from Maryland

If I can be an American

I'm from Maryland

I'm from Maryland

——————-

Song by Dar Williams ‧ 2025