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US State Songs

List of all of the official state songs with words, their history and adoption information.

Georgia State Song

"Georgia on My Mind"

Written by Stuart Gorrell
Composed by Hoagy Carmichael

Adopted on April 24, 1979 .

On April 24, 1979, "Georgia On My Mind," with music by Hoagy Carmichael and lyrics by Stuart Gorrell, was designated Georgia's official state song.

"Georgia on My Mind"

Georgia, Georgia, the whole day through
Just an old sweet song keeps Georgia on my mind.
Georgia, Georgia, a song of you
Comes as sweet and clear as moonlight through the pines.

Other arms reach out to me
Other eyes smile tenderly
Still in peaceful dreams I see
The road leads back to you.

Georgia, Georgia, no peace I find
Just an old sweet song keeps Georgia on my mind.

Melodies bring memories
That linger in my heart
Make me think of Georgia
Why did we ever part?

Some sweet day when blossoms fall
And all the world's a song
I'll go back to Georgia
'Cause that's where I belong.

Origin of Song:

On April 24, 1979, "Georgia On My Mind," with music by Hoagy Carmichael and lyrics by Stuart Gorrell, was designated Georgia's official state song. It was performed on March 7, 1979 before a joint meeting of the Georgia Senate and House of Representatives by Georgia-born recording artist Ray Charles. The lyrics of the song are reproduced as follows in the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, Section 50-3-60.

50-3-60 G
*** CODE SECTION *** 12/03/01

50-3-60.

The song "Georgia on My Mind" with lyrics by Mr. Stuart Gorrell and
music by Mr. Hoagy Carmichael is designated as the official song of
the State of Georgia.

Georgia on My Mind

Melodies bring memories
That linger in my heart
Make me think of Georgia
Why did we ever part?
Some sweet day when blossoms fall
And all the world's a song
I'll go back to Georgia
'Cause that's where I belong.
Georgia, Georgia, the whole day through
Just an old sweet song keeps Georgia on my mind.
Georgia, Georgia, a song of you
Comes as sweet and clear as moonlight through the pines.
Other arms reach out to me
Other eyes smile tenderly
Still in peaceful dreams I see
The road leads back to you.
Georgia, Georgia, no peace I find
Just an old sweet song keeps Georgia on my mind.

Georgia On My Mind by Hoagy Carmichael & Stuart Gorrell
Copyright ©1930 by Peermusic Ltd. Copyright Renewed.
International Copyright Secured

State Songs

Forty-nine states of the United States (all except New Jersey) have one or more state songs, selected by the state legislature as a symbol of the state.

New Jersey does have an unofficial state song, "Born to Run" by Bruce Springsteen, but it has not yet been approved by the state legislature.

Some states have more than one official state song, and may refer to some of their official songs by other names; for example, Arkansas officially has two state songs, a state anthem, and a state historical song. Also, Virginia does not presently have a state song by that name, but it has given two songs official recognition under other names. Arizona has a song that was written specifically as a state anthem in 1915, as well as the 1981 country hit Arizona, which it adopted as an alternate.

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Georgia Symbols

Georgia State Song

"Georgia on My Mind"

Written by Stuart Gorrell Composed by Hoagy Carmichael

Adopted on April 24, 1979 .

"Georgia on My Mind"

Origin of Song:

Written by Stuart Gorrell
Composed by Hoagy Carmichael