Arkansas State Anthem

"Arkansas"

by Mrs. Eva Ware Barnett
 

Adopted on February 09, 1917

This song was first adopted in 1917 but was dropped in 1949 when "The Arkansas Traveler" became the state song. In 1963, however, the legislature readopted "Arkansas."

Adopted by the 1987 General Assembly as the Official State Anthem.

"Arkansas"

I am thinking tonight of the Southland,
Of the home of my childhood days,
Where I roamed through the woods and the meadows
By the mill and the brook that plays;
Where the roses are in bloom
And the sweet magnolia too,
Where the jasmine is white
And the fields are violet blue,
There a welcome awaits all her children
Who have wandered afar from home.

Chorus

Arkansas, Arkansas, tis a name dear,
'Tis the place I call "home, sweet home";
Arkansas, Arkansas, I salute thee,
From thy shelter no more I'll roam.

'Tis a land full of joy and of sunshine,
Rich in pearls and in diamonds rare,
Full of hope, faith, and love for the stranger,
Who may pass 'neath her portals fair;
There the rice fields are full,
And the cotton, corn and hay,
There the fruits of the field
Bloom in the winter months and May,
'Tis the land that I love, first of all, dear,
And to her let us all give cheer.

Repeat Chorus

Origin of Song:

Words and the music were composed by Mrs. Eva Ware Barnett of Little Rock. This song was first adopted in 1917 but was dropped in 1949 when "The Arkansas Traveler" became the state song. In 1963, however, the legislature readopted "Arkansas."

Adopted by the 1987 General Assembly as the Official State Anthem.

Key Terms:

magnolia, jasmine, portals, meadows, southland, brook, shelter, bloom, salute

Key Facts:

Arkansas has many meadows, brooks, and streams.
Rose and magnolias are popular flowers in Arkansas.
A diamond mine is located in Murpheesboro.
Crops in Arkansas include rice, cotton, and corn and hay.
Fruits in Arkansas include apples, peaches, pears, plums, strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries.