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The North Carolina State Song

The Old North State

words by William Joseph Gaston, traditional melody
collected and arranged by Mrs. E. E. Randolph

    Carolina! Carolina! Heaven's blessings attend her!
    While we live we will cherish, protect and defend her;
    Though the scorner may sneer at and witlings defame her,
    Our hearts swell with gladness whenever we name her.

   CHORUS:
    Hurrah! Hurrah! The Old North State forever!
    Hurrah! Hurrah! The good Old North State!

    Though she envies not others their merited glory,
    Say, whose name stands the foremost in Liberty's story!
    Though too true to herself e'er to crouch to oppression,
    Who can yield to just rule more loyal submission?

   CHORUS:

    Plain and artless her sons, but whose doors open faster
    At the knock of a stranger, or the tale of disaster?
    How like to the rudeness of their dear native mountains,
    With rich ore in their bosoms and life in their fountains.

   CHORUS:

    And her daughters, the Queen of the Forest resembling-
    So graceful, so constant, yet to gentlest breath trembling;
    And true lightwood at heart, let the match be applied them,
    How they kindle and flame! Oh! none know but who've tried them.

   CHORUS:

    Then let all who love us, love the land that we live in
    As happy a region on this side of Heaven,
    Where Plenty and Freedom, Love and Peace smile before us,
    Raise aloud, raise together, the heart-thrilling chorus!

   CHORUS:

Adoption of State Song

The song, "The Old North State", words by William Joseph Gaston (1778-1844), adopted as the official state song of North Carolina on February 27, 1927. (Public Laws, 1927, c. 26; G.S. 149-1)

North Carolina General Statutes

"The Old North State" Courtesy of Library of Congress Look closer

The following information is excerpted from the North Carolina General Statutes, Chapter 149, Section 1. The words are included within the statute.

CHAPTER 149. STATE SONG AND TOAST
SECTION 1

§ 149-1. "The Old North State." The song known as "The Old North State," as hereinafter written, is adopted and declared to be the official song of the State of North Carolina, said song being in words as follows:

    Carolina! Carolina! Heaven's blessings attend her!
    While we live we will cherish, protect and defend her;
    Though the scorner may sneer at and witlings defame her,
    Our hearts swell with gladness whenever we name her.
    Hurrah! Hurrah! The Old North State forever!
    Hurrah! Hurrah! The good Old North State!

    Though she envies not others their merited glory,
    Say, whose name stands the foremost in Liberty's story!
    Though too true to herself e'er to crouch to oppression,
    Who can yield to just rule more loyal submission?

    Plain and artless her sons, but whose doors open faster
    At the knock of a stranger, or the tale of disaster?
    How like to the rudeness of their dear native mountains,
    With rich ore in their bosoms and life in their fountains.

    And her daughters, the Queen of the Forest resembling-
    So graceful, so constant, yet to gentlest breath trembling;
    And true lightwood at heart, let the match be applied them,
    How they kindle and flame! Oh! none know but who've tried them.

    Then let all who love us, love the land that we live in
    As happy a region on this side of Heaven,
    Where Plenty and Freedom, Love and Peace smile before us,
    Raise aloud, raise together, the heart-thrilling chorus!"

    (1927, c. 26, s. 1.)

Source: North Carolina State Web Site, (http://www.state.nc.us), DATE, 2004
Source: SITE, (URL), DATE, 2004
Source: SITE, (URL), DATE, 2004
Source: SITE, (URL), DATE, 2004
Source: State Names, Seals, Flags, and Symbols by Benjamin F. Shearer and Barbara S. Shearer, Copyright 2002
Source: State Songs America, Edited by M.J. Bristow, Copyright 2000
Source: State Names, Flags, Seals, Songs, Birds, Flowers, and Other Symbols by George Earlie Shankle, Ph.D., Copyright 1938

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