Published July 22, 2010

Who knew Massachusetts had an official state polka? Radio Boston did. It came up in the research for today’s conversation about the Lowell Folk Festival.

On Oct. 1, 1998, Acting Gov. Paul Celucci designated “Say Hello to Someone in Massachusetts” by Lenny Gomulka (rhymes with polka?) as an official song of the commonwealth.

Here’s the song:

So they say you booked a flight and you’ll be leaving.
Is it business, is it pleasure, is it both.
And they say that you’ll be landing in New England,
What a perfect time of year you chose to go,
The weather’s fine out there, this time of year is lovely.
With all the color and the mountainside to view,
And the people there are friendlier than ever,
So to fit right in here’s what you’ve got to do.

Say hello to someone in Massachusetts,
Tip your hat to every lady that you meet,
Shake a hand, you’ll make a friend in Massachusetts,
That New England old-time custom can’t be beat.

So they say you’ve never been to Massachusetts,
Are you ready to be pleasantly surprised,
Between the scenery and the folks in Massachusetts,
All the beauty you just won’t believe your eyes,
Home of the University of Massachusetts,
The Boston Red Sox, Patriots, B-Ball Hall of Fame,
Just talk the talk and walk the walk in Massachusetts,
Soon they all will know and call you by your name.

Say hello to someone in Massachusetts,
Tip your hat to every lady that you meet,
Shake a hand, you’ll make a friend in Massachusetts,
That New England old-time custom can’t be beat.