"The 50 States Project," a 50-song album covering the basic history, geography, and economic foundation of each state in the U.S. http://lodgemccammon.com/ Lyrics/Explanation - 1st Verse: A seeker of gold said Nuevo Mexico Spanish settled for more than 100 years 'till revolution by the Pueblo When de Vargas died, New Spain took back control 129 years, Spanish settlements continued to grow Louisiana Purchase bought our top from France Then in 1821 we went with Mexico and their independence But war with America lost them some land New Mexico, part of which Texas claimed, Under the circumstance Explanation of the 1st Verse: In 1563 Francisco de Ibarra, a Spanish explorer and seeker of gold, visited the land of New Mexico (NM) and called it "Nuevo Mexico." The name was officially established in 1598. The Pueblo, Apache and Navajo all were inhabitants in NM when the Europeans arrived in the 16th century. In 1680 the Pueblo revolted against the Spanish settlement. They won, keeping the Spanish out from 1680-1692. In 1692 the Pueblo leader Pope, Diego de Vargas died and Spain took control again. In 1803 the U.S. made the Louisiana Purchase from France. The northeast corner of NM was included in that purchase. In 1821 New Spain won their independence from Spain and changed their name to Mexico. NM was part of the territory that Mexico controlled. In 1848 America gained land in the southeast after winning the Mexican-American War. Upon winning its independence from Mexico, Texas claimed a considerable portion of easter NM, but for $10 million they gave up the claim. Chorus: Way before Mexico Nuevo Mexico they called us this When in the 1500s Spanish searched for gold In this Land of Enchantment - hey hey hey Part of New Spain, then Mexico, then the U.S. The 47th state, New Mexico made the list (In 1912, yeah New Mexico made the list) Explanation of the Chorus: New Mexico got its name 223 years before New Spain changed its name to Mexico. In the mid 1500s, Spanish Explorers thought that the NM area contained wealth similar to the Aztec (Mexica) Empire. Therefore, they called the land "Nuevo Mexico" NM's nickname is the "Land of Enchantment" NM has been controlled by New Spain, Mexico, and the U.S. NM was the 47th state to be admitted into the U.S. They "made the list" because they were required to drop a dispute with Texas over the ownership of land. In 1912 NM was second to last contiguous state to be admitted in the U.S. 2nd Verse: The Sangre de Cristos run north to south A southern part of the Rocky Mountains with the Rio Grande about Arid desert around Roswell and Las Cruces Travel north toward Santa Fe - see mountains, wilderness and forests 120,000 square miles of broken mesas Go east from Albuquerque to the oasis You're in the high plains now with prairies and some grass Great for agriculture or to start a cattle ranch Explanation of the 2nd Verse: The Sangre de Cristos Mountains run from the northwest corner of NM toward the middle center of the state. This range is the southernmost of the Rocky Mountains. The Rio Grande runs along the western side of the Sangre de Cristos range. In the south of NM, there are deserts around areas like Roswell and Las Cruces. As you head north toward cities like the capital (Santa Fe), you will find mountains, wilderness and forests. NM is 121,412 square miles, much of which is desert land filled with broken mesas - large table-top-looking structures in the desert formed of rock and dirt. Albuquerque is in the center of the state. If you travel southwest from Albuquerque, you end up on the eastern border in the Oasis State Park. The eastern part of NM is in the high plains known for prairies and grasslands. This is the area in the U.S. best known for agriculture and cattle ranches. Bridge: Crescit Eundo, it grows as it goes While the ancient sun symbol of the Zia unfurls On the New Mexico flag when the roadrunner knows To find shade under the pinyon tree Where the white yucca grows Explanation of the Bridge: State Motto: Crescit Eundo (It grows as it goes) NM Flag: Has the ancient sun symbol of the Zia State Bird: Roadrunner State Tree: Pinyon (Pine Nut) State Flower: Yucca 3rd Verse: Come to Nuevo Mexico for travel or business For Native American imagery, crude old, and federal spending missions You'll find air force bases, ranges and secret labs We test our latest innovations out in the White Sands Explanation of the 3rd Verse: There are a number of state and federal incentives in place to encourage people to move to NM. Most NM tourism involves people visiting to see the Native American imagery. The main industries include tourism, oil and federal military-related programs. NM has three air force bases (Kirtland, Holloman, and Cannon); a testing range (White Sands); an army proving ground and maneuver range (Fort Bliss -- McGregor); Los Alamos National Laboratory.

• published: 17 Sep 2013
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