Tennessee State Song

"My Homeland, Tennessee"

Written by Nell Grayson Taylor
Music by Roy Lamont Smith

Adopted in 1925 .

In 1925, the 64th General Assembly, by House Joint Resolution 36, adopted My Homeland, Tennessee as an official state song.

"My Homeland, Tennessee"

First Verse

O Tennessee, that gave us birth,
To thee our hearts bow down.
For thee our love and loyalty
Shall weave a fadeless crown.
Thy purple hills our cradle was;
Thy fields our mother breast
Beneath thy sunny bended skies,
Our childhood days were blessed.

Second Verse

Could we forget our heritage
Of heroes strong and brave?
Could we do aught but cherish it,
Unsullied to the grave?
Ah no! the State where Jackson sleeps,
Shall ever peerless be.
We glory in thy majesty;
Our homeland, Tennessee.

Third Verse

'Twas long ago our fathers came,
A free and noble band,
Across the mountain's frowning heights
To seek a promised land.
And here before their raptured eyes;
In beauteous majesty:
Outspread the smiling valleys
Of the winding Tennessee.

Chorus

O Tennessee: Fair Tennessee:
Our love for thee can never die:
Dear homeland, Tennessee.

Origin of Song:

In 1925, the 64th General Assembly, by House Joint Resolution 36, adopted My Homeland, Tennessee as an official state song. The words of this song were written by Nell Grayson Taylor and the music by Roy Lamont Smith.