Tennessee Bicentennial Rap State Song

"A Tennessee Bicentennial Rap: 1796-1996"

Written by Joan Hill Hanks

Adopted in 1996.

"A Tennessee Bicentennial Rap: 1796-1996" was adopted in 1996.

"A Tennessee Bicentennial Rap: 1796-1996"

TENNE-, TENNE-, TENNES-SEE!
Oh, how proud we are of thee!
Volunteer State since 1812
Glad our fathers picked here to dwell!

Baker, Gores, and Kefauver,
Served our country with honor!
U.T., Memphis and Vandy U.,
Tennessee Tech and Sewanee, too!

Dollywood and Walking Horse Show!
Opryland and the Opry Show!
Whisky, whisky - sipping smooth
Moon, Moon Pies and Goo Goo Goos!

Bessie Smith and Memphis blues
W.C. Handy and Elvis, too!
Eastman, Oak Ridge and TVA
Nissan, Saturn and Country Music pay!

Presidents, Presidents - proud are we!
Jackson, Polk, and Johnson - three!
Crockett, Forrest, and John Sevier;
Alvin York and Hull lived here!

Appalachian Mountains, mountains high
Reaching up in the smoky sky!
Tennessee River, flowing through
We will cross near the Choo Choo!

Reelfoot Lake and cotton fields,
Natchez Trace and Civil War fields!
Mocking birds and raccoons grow,
And tulip poplars and iris show!

Chickasaw, Sequoyah and Cherokee
Cumberland Plateau and Mississippi!
Birthday Wishes on 200 years
Give Tennessee a Big, Big Cheer!

Origin of Song:

A Tennessee Bicentennial Rap: 1796-1996 by Joan Hill Hanks was adopted as Tennessee's official bicentennial rap song in 1996. It was adopted by Senate Joint Resolution 53 of the 99th General Assembly.