The lyrics, widely considered to convey racist sentiments, were updated by an act of the Oregon Legislature in 2021.

[3] Buchanan was an amateur lyricist who was an Astoria city judge,[3] while Murtagh was a professional musician with a Broadway credit,[4] but who was best known as a professionally trained theatre organist on the West Coast during the silent movie era.

[9] In 2009, legislator Gene Whisnant proposed choosing a new official state song.

[10][11] In 2017, a bill proposed in the Oregon Legislative Assembly sought to update the song's lyrics, "to reflect cultural, historical, economic and societal evolution" of the state.

[12] Buchanan's lyrics contain two main themes: honoring the early settlers and pioneers of Oregon, and praise for the natural beauty of the state.