Whenever I run into a person I haven’t seen in awhile, he/she will invariably ask me something along the lines “Well, how are things down in God’s Country?” Although I live in Piney Point, I know that they are referring to Ridge/South County. Similarly, I’ve often heard folks ask 7th District residents the same thing. (In fact I may have been one of the askers of this myself.)
Ever wonder how or why that phrase “God’s Country” originated? I may have an answer for you. Here is something in the preface to Robert Pogue’s book Yesterday in Old St. Mary’s County:
Southern Maryland
by Louis P. Ranft
God was good to old Virginia
As a father to his child;
But He made our dear old Maryland,
And just looked at her and smiled.
Then, He made the Chesapeake
Circling through this land so fair;
As a mother hugs her baby
To her heart with tender care.
Yes, God went to Virginia
And He blessed each hill and glade;
But He came to Southern Maryland
And He sat down here and stayed.
We believe our God will tell you
Though forever you may roam
That the nearest place to heaven
Is your Southern Maryland home.
It is just as clear as can be,
That God loves and freely gives
To other states his blessings
But Southern Maryland’s where He lives.