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A Tennessee State Song

Tennessee Waltz

words and music by Redd Stewart and Pee Wee King

    I was waltzing with my darlin' to the Tennessee Waltz
    When an old friend I happened to see.
    Introduced him to my loved one and while they were waltzing,
    My friend stole my sweetheart from me.

    I remember the night and the Tennessee Waltz.
    Now I know just how much I have lost.
    Yes I lost my little darlin' the night they were playing
    The beautiful Tennessee Waltz.

Adoption of State Song

Until 1965, the three state songs adopted by the Tennessee General Assembly to date, were only regionally recognized songs. This changed with the adoption of "The Tennessee Waltz". This song that had made national best-selling music charts gave Tennessee a state song that the whole nation recognized. Indeed, to this day, many think of this song as the official state song of Tennessee.

In 1965, "Tennessee Waltz" by Redd Stewart and Pee Wee King became the fourth official song of the state of Tennessee. It was adopted by Senate Joint Resolution No. 9 of the 84th General Assembly.

Tennessee Code

The following information is excerpted from the Tennessee General Statutes, Title 4, Chapter 1, Part 3, Section 302. The words are not included within the statute.

TITLE 4. STATE GOVERNMENT
CHAPTER 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS
PART 3. STATE SYMBOLS
SECTION 302.

4-1-302. State songs. The official songs of this state shall be as follows:

(1) "My Homeland, Tennessee" by Nell Grayson Taylor and Roy Lamont Smith, as adopted by House Joint Resolution 36 in 1925;

(2) "When It's Iris Time In Tennessee" by Willa Mae Waid, as adopted by Acts 1935, chapter 154;

(3) "My Tennessee" by Francis Hannah Tranum, as adopted by Senate Joint Resolution 35 in 1955, as the official public school song in Tennessee;

(4) "The Tennessee Waltz" by Redd Stewart and Pee Wee King, as adopted by Senate Joint Resolution 9 in 1965; and

(5) "Rocky Top" by Boudleaux and Felice Bryant, as adopted by Acts 1982, chapter 545.

[Acts 1935, ch. 154, §§ 1, 2; mod. C. Supp. 1950, §§ 107.1, 107.2; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 4-107; Acts 1982, ch. 545, § 1.]

Source: Tennessee State Web Site, (http://www.state.tn.us), December 5, 2004
Source: Tennessee General Assembly, (http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/), December 5, 2004
Source: Tennesee Blue Book, (http://www.state.tn.us/sos/bluebook/index.htm), December 5, 2004
Source: Tennessee State Symbols, by Rob Simbeck, Copyright 1995
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

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