CORTLAND, NY (607NewsNow) — Cortland now has an official song. 

The Common Council voted Tuesday to adopt a tune co-written by 2015 Cortland High School graduate Jack Gerhard as the city’s anthem. The song is called ‘Cortland,” and the city says it “offers an uplifting narrative of returning home. Its lyrics vividly recount the familiar journey from New York City back to his roots, beautifully encapsulating the enduring connection many feel to Cortland, regardless of how far they may roam, with its recurring refrain, “No matter where you go Cortland ain’t that far.”

Gerhard performed the song during Tuesday’s meeting. Councilmember Pat Lane formally proposed adopting the city anthem after hearing Gerhard’s performance at the Cortland Repertory Theater in May. It was then introduced by Councilmember Katy Silliman, who’s Gerhard’s mother.

You can listen to the song here.