{"id":37,"date":"2014-05-06T02:54:44","date_gmt":"2014-05-06T02:54:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/offbeattenn.com\/?p=37"},"modified":"2014-05-28T10:00:39","modified_gmt":"2014-05-28T15:00:39","slug":"yes-tennessee-actually-official-state-rap-song","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/offbeattenn.com\/?p=37","title":{"rendered":"Yes, Tennessee actually has an official state rap song"},"content":{"rendered":"

A Tennessee Bicentennial Rap<\/i>\u00a0by Joan Hill Hanks of Signal Mountain was adopted in 1996 by the State of Tennessee as the official state rap song<\/a>. It is intended\u00a0to provide a fun and easy way for citizens and students to learn and retain some Tennessee’s history. \u00a0While 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Joan<\/a>

Joan Hill Hanks rapping for the Chattanooga Past DAR Regents Club in 1996<\/p><\/div>\n

Lyrics<\/h2>\n

If you would like to rap along<\/p>\n

\n

TENNE-, TENNE-, TENNES-SEE!
\nOh, how proud we are of thee!y
\nVolunteer State since 1812 –
\nGlad our fathers picked here to dwell!<\/p>\n

Presidents, Presidents – proud are we!
\nJackson, Polk, and Johnson – three!
\nCrockett, Forrest, and John Sevier;
\nAlvin York and Hull lived here!<\/p>\n

Baker, Gores, and Kefauver,
\nServed our country with honor!
\nU.T., Memphis and Vandy U.,
\nTennessee Tech and Sewanee, too!<\/p>\n

Appalachian Mountains, mountains high –
\nReaching up in the smoky sky!
\nTennessee River, flowing through –
\nWe will cross near the Choo Choo!<\/p>\n

Dollywood and Walking Horse Show!
\nOpryland and the Opry Show!
\nWhisky, whisky – sipping smooth –
\nMoon, Moon Pies and Goo Goo Goos!<\/p>\n

Reelfoot Lake and cotton fields,
\nNatchez Trace and Civil War fields!
\nMocking birds and raccoons grow,
\nAnd tulip poplars and iris show!<\/p>\n

Bessie Smith and Memphis blues –
\nW.C. Handy and Elvis, too!
\nEastman, Oak Ridge, and TVA –
\nNissan, Saturn, and Country Music pay!<\/p>\n

Chickasaw, Sequoyah, and Cherokee –
\nCumberland Plateau and Mississippi!
\nBIRTHDAY WISHES ON 200 YEARS –
\nGIVE TENNESSEE A BIG, BIG CHEER!<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Most State Songs<\/h2>\n

Tennessee also holds the record for most state songs with ten as of 2013, most likely due to the music history of the state.<\/p>\n

Tennessee’s first official state song was “<\/span>My Homeland, Tennessee,” so sanctioned in 1925.<\/span><\/p>\n