Delaware (i/ˈdɛləwɛər/) is one of the Mid-Atlantic states located in the Northeast megalopolis region of the United States. It is bordered to the south and west by Maryland, to the northeast by New Jersey, and to the north by Pennsylvania. The state takes its name from Thomas West, 3rd Baron De La Warr, an English nobleman and Virginia's first colonial governor, after whom what is now called Cape Henlopen was originally named.
Delaware is in the northeastern portion of the Delmarva Peninsula and is the second smallest, the sixth least populous, but the sixth most densely populated of the 50 United States. Delaware is divided into three counties, the lowest number of counties of any state. From north to south, the three counties are New Castle, Kent, and Sussex. While the southern two counties have historically been predominantly agricultural, New Castle County has been more industrialized.
Before its coastline was explored by Europeans in the 16th century, Delaware was inhabited by several groups of Native Americans, including the Lenape in the north and Nanticoke in the south. It was initially colonized by Dutch traders at Zwaanendael, near the present town of Lewes, in 1631. Delaware was one of the 13 colonies participating in the American Revolution and on December 7, 1787, became the first state to ratify the Constitution of the United States, thereby becoming known as The First State.
Delaware wine refers to wine made from grapes grown in the U.S. state of Delaware. Historically, the first Swedish settlers planted grapes and made wine in Delaware as early as 1638.
Delaware has five wineries that each have limited production, the fewest of any state in the United States. The largest winery is Nassau Valley Vineyards, which makes fruit wines in addition to grape wines. Two others are Pizzadili, a small, family business which opened in 2007 and Harvest Ridge Winery, which opened in 2013.
"Delaware" is a popular song, written by Irving Gordon. The song was published in 1959 and has references to 15 states of the United States. The states were portrayed, in the form of puns, as: Della wear, new jersey, Calla ‘phone ya, how ar’ ya, Mrs sip, mini-soda, Ore gone, I’ll ask ‘er, taxes, Wiscon sin, new brass key, Arkan saw, Tenne see, Flora die and misery.
Gordon was apparently inspired to write the song after the success of another song that he wrote punning on the name of States of the United States of America: "Mister and Mississippi."
The hit version of the song was recorded by Perry Como on December 28, 1959. It was released by RCA Victor Records as a 45rpm single with catalog number 47-7670 and as a stereophonic 45rpm single with catalog number 61-7670. The flip side was "I Know What God Is". The record reached #22 on the Billboard charts in March 1960.
The same recording, with the same B-side, was released by RCA in the United Kingdom (catalog number 1170) where, oddly, it did even better there than in the U.S., reaching #3 on the UK Singles Chart.
When she opened up her eyes
She was blinded by the light
Everything was flashing red and blue
She heard do you know where you are
As they pulled her from her car
She saw the helicopter and she knew
It must be really bad
And as they lifted off the ground
The only thing that she could think about
Was the last thing she said
To her husband that morning
And the look on his face
When she slammed the door
And the way she drove off
Without one ounce of regret
And knowing, "I love you"
Was not the last thing she said
She tried to stay awake
Long enough to see his face
Wishing she could take the whole day back
She kept asking where he is
And, "Am I gonna live?"
While the voices in the room faded fast
Before she drifted off
They tried to calm her down
But on and on all she talked about
Was the last thing she said
To her husband that morning
And the look on his face
When she slammed the door
And the way she drove off
Without one ounce of regret
And knowing, "I love you", was not
The last thing she said
He was waiting in the hall, staring at the wall
When he finally saw the doctor walk his way
Oh, he was scared to death, just holding his breath
Up until he heard the doctor say, "She'll be okay"
And right now she needs her rest
But she wanted me to tell you, she's sorry
And, "I love you"