[3] The melody is partly based on "Song of India" by Rimsky-Korsakov and "Beautiful Dreamer" by Stephen Foster.

When McBride rewrote the lyrics for the 1989 version, he gave a much more accurate portrayal of Ohio by including things such as the state's cities and factories rather than two imaginary lovers.

[3] Popular versions in 1919 were by:[5] Jo Stafford included the song on her 1966 album Do I Hear a Waltz?

Though "Beautiful Ohio" was originally written as a waltz, one version of the song is a march, arranged by Richard Heine.

Drifting with the current down a moonlit stream, While above the Heavens in their glory gleam, And the stars on high Twinkle in the sky, Seeming in a paradise of love divine, Dreaming of a pair of eyes that looked in mine.