Every state has its own song(s) to pay tribute to the beauty and uniqueness seen in the hearts of its inhabitants. I don’t know how many state songs your particular homeland boasts, but Tennessee has ten—more than any other U.S. state. You could say there’s a lot of Tennessee patriotism happening here. After a little research, I have to admit some of these are a stretch, but they are official, so who am I to judge?
My favorite is “The Pride of Tennessee” for which I was unable to find a video. Let me share the lyrics with you, though:
From the Smokie Mountain Mornings to the Mississippi shores
Let’s take time to remember those who went before
Whose lives made a difference in the world for you and me
Their courage faith and vision are the Pride of Tennessee
Sequoyah was a Cherokee the chief of all his tribe
His people learned to read and write with the alphabet he scribed
When Tennessee became a State its Governor was clear
There was no better leader than the gallant John Sevier
From the backwoods to the Congress to his stand at the Alamo
Davy Crockett gave his life for the country he loved so
Three Presidents from Tennessee made impressions on this land
Jackson, Polk and Johnson were men who took a stand
Ida Wells Barnett fought bravely for the rights of men
When they were killed by prejudice for the color of their skin
He was drafted in the first world war though he did not want to go
His shooting skills made Alvin York a national hero
When women of Tennessee believed they had the right to vote
Ann Dallas Dudley led the fight and gave them hope
Cordell Hull had a vision for peace around the world
The United Nations where all countries’ flags unfurl
From Beale Street down in Memphis to New York front page news
WC Handy’s music made him father of the blues
Yes Courage, Faith and Vision are the Pride of Tennessee
Did you notice mention of Davy Crockett in there? I now have a special place in my heart for him. And after visiting Greeneville, Tennessee for a book signing last year, I learned more about Andrew Johnson than ever before. It makes a difference when you can find a tangible connection to an historical figure.
I posted below the YouTube video of “My Homeland Tennessee” for you. There were several, but this one has some scenery along with the lyrics for you to follow. So, what about the other eight state songs? I’m sure you’ve heard of “Rocky Top” which should clue you into the type of ground we have. It makes for stunning views driving down the freeway in winter when run-off turns to icicles. This one has some silly lyrics, but it’s fun.
Another one I connected to was “When It’s Iris Time in Tennessee.” When we were fixin’ to (that’s how it’s said down here) move, I collected my iris bulbs from our California property. Chris was skeptical. “You don’t even know if they’ll grow there.” True. So, I did what any intelligent person does—I looked it up on the Internet. Guess what Tennessee’s state flower is. If you said, “The iris,” you’d be right. Do they grow here? Absolutely!
“Tennessee Walz” is also very familiar to those of a certain age. Ahem…not that I’m old enough to remember. “My Tennessee,” “Tennessee” (1992), “Tennessee” (2012—completely different song), “Smoky Mountain Rain”—think Ronnie Milsap in 1980, but this one was adopted in 2010 as a state song. And number ten? Goodness, this one is pretty bad. It’s called “A Tennessee Bicentennial Rap: 1776-1996.” The artist is a woman who most likely danced to the “Tennessee Waltz” in her day. I did find a video, but I cannot bring myself to share it. Joan Hill Hanks of Signal Mountain created this Rap song to help students learn and retain some of Tennessee’s history. I’m sure they got a kick out of it.
Y’all come back tomorrow for more fun and fascinating facts!
Be sure to enter here for a chance to win an ebook version of Illusions, Book 2 in the Apple Hill Series.
If you missed day 2, enter here for a chance to win the ebook version of the Apple Hill Christmas Novella, All That Glitters.
If you missed day 1, enter here for a chance to win the ebook version of Surrendered, Book 1 in the Apple Hill Series.
Comments 1
So it just so happens the purple iris has always been my favorite flower and ironically there were a bunch that grew in the front yard of my parent’s Livermore home. Also just to clarify in Tennessee it not a freeway but an interstate. Took me a while to get used to not calling it a freeway. Just a little extra trivia for you