A Tennessee Bicentennial Rap by Joan Hill Hanks of Signal Mountain was adopted in 1996 by the State of Tennessee as the official state rap song. It is intended to provide a fun and easy way for citizens and students to learn and retain some Tennessee’s history. While we appreciate the efforts of Mrs Hanks, it might be a good time to check in with Juicy J or Young Buck for an update. At least a nod to our whiskey traditions got a mention in this version.
Joan Hill Hanks rapping for the Chattanooga Past DAR Regents Club in 1996
Lyrics
If you would like to rap along
TENNE-, TENNE-, TENNES-SEE!
Oh, how proud we are of thee!y
Volunteer State since 1812 –
Glad our fathers picked here to dwell!Presidents, Presidents – proud are we!
Jackson, Polk, and Johnson – three!
Crockett, Forrest, and John Sevier;
Alvin York and Hull lived here!Baker, Gores, and Kefauver,
Served our country with honor!
U.T., Memphis and Vandy U.,
Tennessee Tech and Sewanee, too!Appalachian Mountains, mountains high –
Reaching up in the smoky sky!
Tennessee River, flowing through –
We will cross near the Choo Choo!Dollywood and Walking Horse Show!
Opryland and the Opry Show!
Whisky, whisky – sipping smooth –
Moon, Moon Pies and Goo Goo Goos!Reelfoot Lake and cotton fields,
Natchez Trace and Civil War fields!
Mocking birds and raccoons grow,
And tulip poplars and iris show!Bessie Smith and Memphis blues –
W.C. Handy and Elvis, too!
Eastman, Oak Ridge, and TVA –
Nissan, Saturn, and Country Music pay!Chickasaw, Sequoyah, and Cherokee –
Cumberland Plateau and Mississippi!
BIRTHDAY WISHES ON 200 YEARS –
GIVE TENNESSEE A BIG, BIG CHEER!
Most State Songs
Tennessee also holds the record for most state songs with ten as of 2013, most likely due to the music history of the state.
Tennessee’s first official state song was “My Homeland, Tennessee,” so sanctioned in 1925.
“When It’s Iris Time in Tennessee” (1935) and “My Tennessee” (1955) became the next two songs to be designated “official.” Three of the state songs have been major hits: “Tennessee Waltz” (canonized in 1965), “Rocky Top” (in 1982) and “Smoky Mountain Rain” (in 2010).