Rhode Island State Song

"Rhode Island's It for Me"

Lyrics by Charlie Hall
Music by Maria Day
Arranged by Kathryn Chester

Adopted on July 29, 1996.

"Rhode Island's It for Me" was adopted on July 29, 1996.

"Rhode Island's It for Me"

Chorus

I've been to every state we have,
and I think I'm inclined to say
that Rhody stole my heart:
You can keep the forty-nine.

Herring gulls that dot the sky,
blue waves that paint the rocks,
water rich with Neptune's life,
the boats that line the docks.
I see the lighthouse flickering
to help the sailors see.
There's a place for everyone:
Rhode Island's It for Me.

Rhode Island, oh Rhode Island
surrounded by the sea.
Some people roam the earth for home;
Rhode Island's It for Me.

I love the fresh October days,
the buzz on College Hill,
art that moves an eye to tear,
a jewelers special skill.
Icicles refract the sun,
snow falling gracefully.
Some search for a place that's warm:
Rhode Island's It for Me!

Rhode Island, oh Rhode Island
surrounded by the sea.
Some people roam the earth for home;
Rhode Island's It for Me.

The skyline piercing Providence,
the State House dome so rare.
residents who speak their minds;
no longer unaware!
Roger Williams would be proud to see his colony,
so don't sell short this precious port:
Rhode Island's It for Me!

Rhode Island, oh Rhode Island
surrounded by the sea.
Some people roam the earth for home;
Rhode Island's It for Me.

Rhode Island, oh Rhode Island
surrounded by the sea.
Some people roam the earth for home;

Origin of Song:

And the respect runs both ways. Hall credits Cianci for inspiring him, albeit inadvertently, to pen the Rhode Island state song. "A few years ago," Hall said, "I see him at a jazz club, and he says, ‘Why do you always have to write something negative about the state? Why don't you write something nice?' So I went home and I wrote some lyrics, lyrics that make you want to puke."

Well, the Rhode Island state legislature wasn't puking. In under a year—greased lightning by state government standards—the song, "Rhode Island's It For Me," moved through both houses, though not without contention. One lyric, for example, was originally written as "Harvard losing one to Brown and RISD students' skill." Hall said, "Well, some senator gets up: ‘Why didn't you mention URI? URI's in my district.' Another says, ‘Why didn't you mention Bryant?' I had to rewrite the whole song."