Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Old North State


North Carolina has a state song. It's called Old North State. Here it is: 


Carolina! Carolina! Heaven's blessings attend her!
While we live we will cherish, protect and defend her;
Tho' the scorner may sneer at and witlings defame her,
Still our hearts swell with gladness whenever we name her.
Hurrah! Hurrah! The Old North State forever!
Hurrah! Hurrah! The good Old North State!
Tho' she envies not others, their merited glory,
Say whose name stands the foremost, in Liberty's story,
Tho' too true to herself e'er to crouch to oppression,
Who can yield to just rule a more loyal submission?
Hurrah! Hurrah! The Old North State forever!
Hurrah! Hurrah! The good Old North State!
Plain and artless her sons, but whose doors open faster
At the knock of a stranger, or the tale of disaster.
How like the rudeness of the dear native mountains,
With rich ore in their bosoms and life in their fountains.
Hurrah! Hurrah! The Old North State forever!
Hurrah! Hurrah! The good Old North State!
And her daughters, the Queen or the forest resembling
So graceful, so constant, yet the gentlest breath trembling.
And true lightwood at heart, let the match be applied them,
How they kindle and flame! Oh! none know but who've tried them.
Hurrah! Hurrah! The Old North State forever!
Hurrah! Hurrah! The good Old North State!
Then let all those who love us, love the land that we live in,
As happy a region as on this side of heaven,
Where plenty and peace, love and joy smile before us,
Raise aloud, raise together the heart thrilling chorus.
Hurrah! Hurrah! The Old North State forever!
Hurrah! Hurrah! The good Old North State!
Isn't it nice the way it talks about North Carolina's sons and daughters? I think that's nice too. I like how it talks about North Carolina's daughters being graceful, constant, and on fire. William Gaston thought empowering North Carolina's daughters was a good idea in 1835 when he wrote our state song. 
He also talked about North Carolina's sons whose doors open fast when strangers knock.

What's happening to the Old North State? 

1 comment:

  1. Good on you, Madison, if I may drop "Ms. Kimrey" in favor of something a bit more familiar (even if you have not yet responded to any of my several comments [on your "Notice Me Norton" piece] <smile>).

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