The Old North
State
Written by
William Gaston
Composed by Mrs. E. E. Randolph
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!
The song known as "The Old North
State" was adopted as the official
song of the State of North Carolina
by the General Assembly of 1927.
(Public Laws, 1927, c. 26; G.S.
149-1)
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