This Year is the 70th Birthday of North Dakota’s Official Song
Did you know North Dakota has an official song? This year the song is celebrating its 70th birthday since being designated the state song.
We apologize for the belated birthday wish, The North Dakota Hymn, was designated as the state song officially on March 15th, 1947 according to NetState.com
The song was written in 1926 by James W. Foley of Bismarck according to North Dakota's official government website.
The song was first performed 90 years ago in 1927.
For those of you who don't already have this song in your iTunes library, you can see the lyrics below provided by NetState.com. There are audio links below the lyrics.
North Dakota, North Dakota, With thy prairies wide and free, All thy sons and daughters love thee, Fairest state from sea to sea; North Dakota, North Dakota, Here we pledge ourselves to thee. Here thy loyal children singing, Songs of happiness and praise, Far and long the echoes ringing, Through the vastness of thy ways; North Dakota, North Dakota, We will serve thee all our days. Onward, onward, onward going, Light of courage in thine eyes, Sweet the winds above thee blowing, Green thy fields and fair thy skies; North Dakota, North Dakota, Brave the soul that in thee lies. God of freedom, all victorious, Give us Souls serene and strong, Strength to make the future glorious, Keep the echo of our song; North Dakota, North Dakota, In our hearts forever long.
This is sheet music for the song.
Here is the song being performed by the National Guard.
This is a performance of the song by the ND Agriculture College Band (which is now NDSU)