e-ReferenceDesk's College and 50 State Learning Resource Guide

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US State Songs

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

Rhode Island Symbols

Rhode Island Symbols

American Folk Art, Bird, Drink, Fish, Flag, Flagship & Tall Ship, Flower, Fruit, March, Mineral, Motto, Nicknames, Rock, Seal, Shell, Song, Tartan, Tree, Yacht

Rhode Island March State Song

"Rhode Island"

Words and music by T. Clark Brown

Adopted in 1946 as the State Song.
Replaced in 1996 by "Rhode Island's it For Me."

"Rhode Island" was adopted as the official song of Rhode Island on April 30, 1946. However, in 1996, a bill was approved in the General Assembly that replaced "Rhode Island" as the official state song with "Rhode Island's It for Me" and designated "Rhode Island" the official state march.

"Rhode Island"

Here's to you, belov'd RHODE ISLAND,
With your Hills and Ocean Shore.
We are proud to hail you RHODY
And your patriots of yore.

First to claim your independence,
Great your heritage and fame.
The smallest State in all the Union,
We will glorify your name!

Origin of Song:

The song, "Rhode Island", words and music by Thomas Clarke Brown (1885-1953), was adopted as the official song of Rhode Island on April 30, 1946. However, in 1996, a bill was approved in the General Assembly that replaced "Rhode Island" as the official state song with "Rhode Island's It for Me" and designated "Rhode Island" the official state march.

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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Rhode Island Symbols

Rhode Island March State Song

"Rhode Island"

Words and music by T. Clark Brown

Adopted in 1946 as the State Song. Replaced in 1996 by "Rhode Island's it For Me."

"Rhode Island"

Adopted in 1946 as the State Song.
Replaced in 1996 by "Rhode Island's it For Me."