The University of Maryland marching band will at least temporarily stop playing the state's official song, which includes a reference to "Northern scum" and other pro-Confederate lyrics.
School officials are suspending the playing of "Maryland, My Maryland" to "evaluate if it is consistent with the values of the school," said University of Maryland spokesperson Katie Lawson.
"As part of the university's efforts to reaffirm our values as a campus community, we are assessing the songs that are played at intercollegiate athletic events. We are suspecting the playing of 'Maryland, My Maryland' to evaluate if it's consistent with the values of our institution at this time."
The marching band played the song during the pregame show for football games.
"Maryland, My Maryland" was written in 1861 by James Ryder Randall, who was despondent over the death of a friend shot while protesting Union troops in Baltimore. It refers to President Abraham Lincoln as a "despot."
WMAR Staff contributed to this report.
