State poet laureate performs 'Carolina When I Die'; committee pauses debate for lyric revision

Patrick Davis, the state poet laureate, played a live recording of his song "Carolina When I Die" for the House Education and Public Works Committee on Thursday as lawmakers considered a bill to add the work to South Carolina's roster of official songs. "Carolina When I Die, State Song, would be an incredible honor," Davis said as he introduced his piece and described growing up in Camden.

The committee adopted an amendment to correct the song title and then turned to substantive questions about lyrics. Several members voiced concern about lines that reference drinking and nightlife, with Representative Frank saying he feared some phrases "would not pass muster" for use in school settings. Davis responded that he could provide a cleaner recording and noted he had prepared alternate versions: "A version...is a little more gospel with the Blind Boys of Alabama," he said, noting those collaborators would not sing lines overtly referencing drinking.

Chair asked members to adjourn debate to allow Davis time to provide revised language and recordings. The motion to adjourn debate and hold the bill was approved by voice and roll call; the chair said the bill was adjourned pending the revised presentation. The committee took the action to allow sponsors and members time to review a version more appropriate for classrooms, while preserving the option to revive the measure on a subsequent agenda.

The immediate outcomes were procedural: the committee adopted a technical amendment correcting the song name and voted to adjourn debate so the author could return with revisions. The committee provided no final endorsement of the song's designation as a state song and no floor action was scheduled; sponsors said they would bring a cleaned version back for further consideration.