In 2003 the Utah State Legislature voted to change the state song from “Utah, We Love Thee” to “Utah, This is the Place” (Utah Code). State Representative, Dana Love (R-Syracuse), sponsored the bill at the request of the Cook Elementary School class in Syracuse. These students felt that “Utah, We Love Thee” wasn’t very much fun to sing. We need something that people enjoy singing and that they’re familiar with,” Love said. “It addresses the values of our community, of our state.” (The Provo Daily Herald, February 7, 2003, D1). Governor Mike Leavitt signed the bill into law on March 15, 2003. “Utah, We Love Thee” became the state hymn.

In 1996, Sam and Gary Francis wrote “Utah, This is the Place” for Utah’s centennial celebration. “Utah, This is the Place” is a “musical tribute to the state of Utah and its rich history” (Sam and Gary Francis, Classroom Classics). Since then, the song has grown in popularity with children, especially among fourth-graders who learn it as part of their study of Utah history. During the floor debate, there was some doubt if “Utah, This Is The Place” could become the Utah State Song since Sam and Gary Francis would hold copyright to the new state song, and gain royalties every time it was sung. The composers gave up the copyright to the lyrics and the House adopted the tune. However, even though the lyrics have been released into the public domain, at this time the composers have not made the arrangement available to the public free of charge. Sheet music, vocal and accompaniment tracks, and performance packets are sold through the composers’ website, Classroom Classics or are available through your local library. Due to copyright issues, the state hymn, “Utah, We Love Thee,” is often performed publicly instead of the state song.

Utah, This the Place
Utah! People working together
Utah! What a great place to be.
Blessed from Heaven above.
It’s the land that we love.
This is the place!
Utah! With its mountains and valleys.
Utah! With its canyons and streams.
You can go anywhere.
But there’s none that compare.
This is the place!
It was Brigham Young who led the pioneers across the plains.
They suffered with the trials they had to face.
With faith they kept on going till they reached the Great Salt Lake
Here they heard the words…”THIS IS THE PLACE!”
Utah! With its focus on family,
Utah! Helps each child to succeed.
People care how they live.
Each has so much to give.
This is the place!
Utah! Getting bigger and better.
Utah! Always leading the way.
New technology’s here…
Growing faster each year.
This is the place!
There is beauty in the snow-capped mountains, in the lakes and streams.
There are valleys filled with farms and orchards too.
The spirit of its people shows in everything they do.
Utah is the place where dreams come true.
Utah! With its pioneer spirit.
Utah! What a great legacy!
Blessed from Heaven above.
It’s the land that we love.
This is the place!
Utah! Utah! Utah!
THIS IS THE PLACE!