OK, here I go - on a state song expedition around America! I blogged about my home state here, and a reader wanted more state songs (I love hearing from my readers, btw!). Ooh, I smelled a challenge! So, here are the state songs - and a couple of others that I threw in there - about the Southeastern states.
A couple of notes:
- Now, most of the songs I got from internet research, and we all know how reliable that can be (not!). So, if you find anything incorrect, let me know.
- Some songs were easy to find. Some were not. Some I had to notate myself after listening to an old recording.
- Some states have more than one state song, and since they weren't folk songs, I had to pay attention to copyright dates. (According to United States copyright law, the only copyrighted songs that are now "public domain" are those published before 1923.) However, even that wasn't easy to figure out. I couldn't find a copyright on some songs - and I found out that some songs' composers waived the copyright (otherwise, every time someone sings the state song in a non-school or non-church setting, they must pay a royalty!).
- Most of the songs had tons of verses, so I just chose a couple in each case. If you need more verses, they are all findable on the internet.
- Enjoy!
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ALABAMA
Alabama (state song) - recording
Alabama Bound
Alabama Gal - Wonderful book/CD I highly recommend that has a square dance and recording of this song.
Shake Them 'Simmons Down
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ARKANSAS
Arkansas (state song) - I think I missed notating the refrain because the recording (here) ran out at the end of the verse.
Arkansas Traveler - state historical song (aka the tune to Baby Bumblebee) - sheet music
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FLORIDA
Old Folks at Home - (Suwannee River) - sheet music
Florida: Where the Sawgrass Meets the Sky (official state anthem)
GEORGIA
Hammer Ring
Pay Me My Money Down
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KENTUCKY
My Old Kentucky Home (state song) - accompaniment here
Cumberland Gap
Jubilee
Rocky Island
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LOUISIANA
Louisiana (several songs, all copyrighted)
Great Big House
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MISSISSIPPI
Go, Mississippi (state song)
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NORTH CAROLINA
The Old North State (state song) - full score
SOUTH CAROLINA
Carolina (state song)
TENNESSEE
Tennessee has several state songs, but I can't find the oldest one (the one most likely to not still have a copyright) online.
Chattanooga
Cotton Eye Joe
Shuckin' of the Corn
Sourwood Mountain
Tennessee
Willowbee
Zudio
VIRGINIA
Carry Me Back from Old Virginia ("Emeritus" state song) - sheet music (rescinded 1998 but not yet replaced)
Cotton Needs Picking
Rolly Trudum
The Train's Off the Track
WEST VIRGINIA
West Virginia Hills (one of the state songs)
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OTHER SOUTHERN SONGS
Amasee
Chick-a-Li-Lee-o
Dixie
On Top of Old Smokey
Pick a Bale o'Cotton
Shenandoah
Waiting for the Dinner Bell
