"Alaska's Flag" originated in 1935 as a poem by Marie Drake with Elinor Dusenbury composing the score a year later. The lyrics center around the various meanings of the "Eight Stars Of Gold" flag Benny Benson designed in the 1927 student contest to pick a territorial flag. For those not into the original sing-sung cadence, inspiration can be found in various folk, rock, classical and choral arrangements. Most are available online, often free.

Traditional solo and chorus performances of the state song are available free at sites operated by the Alaska State Museums (www.museums.state.ak.us/EightStars/stars.html) and the University of Alaska (www.uaf.edu/music/akmusic). A circa 1940-50s 45rpm phonographic version is at the Alaska Digital Archive (http://vilda.alaska.edu/cdm4/item_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/cdmg21&CISOPTR=6590&REC=18). One of the more unusual arrangements is Little Lippi's alternative rock treatment as part of Coolidge Records' two-disc "Coolidge 50," featuring modern interpretations of all 50 state songs (preview free or purchase at digital music sites such as emusic.com).

Conventional CD versions include folk arrangements by Alaska singers Matt Hammer and Robin Hopper. Probably the most musically accomplished, but hard-to-find, option is violinist Paul Rosenthal's "Bravura Variations On Alaska's Flag," an eight-minute sequence of instrumental interpretations with pianist Doris Stevenson. Rosenthal recorded it in 1984 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of statehood and made it the title track to his debut album, now out of print.

All of the above versions feature only the official lyrics. An attempt to add a second verse began when Carol Beery Davis, whose husband was a member of the flag contest committee, wrote a second verse in 1986 at the age of 95. She felt the original focused too narrowly on the flag and miners, and wanted greater recognition of Alaska Native contributions to the state's history and culture. The Alaska Legislature has twice failed to pass bills adding the second verse, most recently in 2002. Opponents said they consider the original representative of all Alaskans and expressed fears that other groups would want to add verses. But some proponents of the bill said the opposition is part of a long history of lawmakers denying Natives sufficient practical and symbolic support. The lyrics are widely available online, but a recorded version has proved elusive.