Carolina was a poem written by Henry Timrod. The poem was edited by G.R. Goodwin and set to music by Anne Curtis Burgess. The SC Daughters of the American Revolution recommended the song become the South Carolina state song. On February 11, 1911, the SC General Assembly adopted the song. Photos courtesy of Pixabay.com
Category: songs about the States
Rhode Island’s It For Me
Rhode Island’s It For Me is the official state song of Rhode Island. Charlie Hall wrote the lyrics and Maria Day wrote the music. Hall was known for his comedy and poking fun of the state in his comedy troupe. In 1992 he was asked if he could write something good about the state. He Read More
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is the official state song for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The song was written by Eddie Khoury and the music composed by Ronnie Bonner. The General Assembly of Pennsylvania adopted the song as their state anthem on November 29, 1990. Photos courtesy of Pixabay.com
Oregon, My Oregon
Oregon, My Oregon was written as part of a song contest in 1920. The Society of Oregon Composers decided to hold a competition for a state song for the state of Oregon. James Andrew Buchanan wrote the lyrics. The song contains two themes, “honoring the early settlers and pioneers of Oregon, and praise for Read More
Oklahoma
Oklahoma is from the Rodgers and Hammerstein Broadway musical Oklahoma! Richard Rodgers wrote the music and Oscar Hammerstein II the lyrics. The song “describes the landscape and prairie weather in positive language. It further emphasizes the wholesome aspects of rural life, and the steadfast dedication of the region’s inhabitants, against the overtly stated formal backdrop Read More
The North Dakota Hymn
The North Dakota Hymn is the official state song for the state. James Foley wrote the song in 1926 and paired the song to the tune The Austrian Hymn. C.S. Putman arranged the music with distinct ragtime syncopation. North Dakota adopted the song as their official state song in 1947. Photos courtesy of Pixabay.com
Carolina in My Mind
Carolina in My Mind was written and performed by James Taylor. The song first appeared on his 1968 self-titled debut album. “Taylor wrote it while overseas recording for the Beatles’ label Apple Records, and the song’s themes reflect his homesickness at the time. Released as a single, the song earned critical praise but not Read More
New York New York
New York New York has become a well-known song and theme for New York City. The song debuted in the 1977 Martin Scorsese film New York New York. Composer John Kander and lyricist Fred Ebb wrote the song for the film. “Composers Kander and Ebb stated on the A&E Biography episode about Liza Minnelli, that Read More
O Fair New Mexico
O Fair New Mexico is the state song for the state of New Mexico. The song was written by Elizabeth Garrett, who was the daughter of former Lincoln County Sheriff Pat Garrett. Sheriff Garrett is best know as the man who killed Billy the Kid. The New Mexico legislature approved the song, which is considered Read More
Jersey Girl
Jersey Girl was composed and originally released by Tom Waits. He wrote the song with his future wife, Kathleen Brennan, who was living in New Jersey in mind. “It is one of Waits’ most tender songs, and captures a feeling of romantic longing despite its somewhat gritty details.” Waits said in a 1980 interview that, Read More