The Old North State (song)
Encyclopedia
"The Old North State" is the official state song of the U.S.
state of North Carolina
. Written by William Gaston
and composed by Mrs. E.E. Randolph, it was adopted as the state song by the North Carolina General Assembly
in 1927.1
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
state of North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
. Written by William Gaston
William Gaston
William J. Gaston was a jurist and United States Representative from North Carolina. Gaston was born in New Bern, North Carolina, the son of Dr. Alexander Gaston and Margaret Gaston. He entered Georgetown College in Washington, D.C., at the age of thirteen, becoming its first student...
and composed by Mrs. E.E. Randolph, it was adopted as the state song by the North Carolina General Assembly
North Carolina General Assembly
The North Carolina General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of North Carolina. The General Assembly drafts and legislates the state laws of North Carolina, also known as the General Statutes...
in 1927.1
Lyrics
- Carolina! Carolina! Heaven's blessings attend her!
- While we live we will cherish, protect and defend her;
- Tho' the scorner may sneer at and witlings defame her,
- Still our hearts swell with gladness whenever we name her.
- Hurrah! Hurrah! The Old North State forever!
- Hurrah! Hurrah! The good Old North State!
- Tho' she envies not others, their merited glory,
- Say whose name stands the foremost, in Liberty's story,
- Tho' too true to herself e'er to crouch to oppression,
- Who can yield to just rule a more loyal submission?
- Hurrah! Hurrah! The Old North State forever!
- Hurrah! Hurrah! The good Old North State!
- Plain and artless her sons, but whose doors open faster
- At the knock of a stranger, or the tale of disaster.
- How like the rudeness of the dear native mountains,
- With rich ore in their bosoms and life in their fountains.
- Hurrah! Hurrah! The Old North State forever!
- Hurrah! Hurrah! The good Old North State!
- And her daughters, the Queen or the forest resembling
- So graceful, so constant, yet the 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.
- Hurrah! Hurrah! The Old North State forever!
- Hurrah! Hurrah! The good Old North State!
- Then let all those who love us, love the land that we live in,
- As happy a region as on this side of heaven,
- Where plenty and peace, love and joy smile before us,
- Raise aloud, raise together the heart thrilling chorus.
- Hurrah! Hurrah! The Old North State forever!
- Hurrah! Hurrah! The good Old North State!