House Bill 1294

AN ACT TO CREATE NEW SECTION 3-3-63, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO DESIGNATE "MISSISSIPPI SONG" AS THE OFFICIAL STATE SONG; TO REPEAL CHAPTER 654, LAWS OF 1962, WHICH DESIGNATED "GO MISSISSIPPI" AS THE OFFICIAL STATE SONG; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

WHEREAS, the promotion of the best interests of the State of Mississippi requires that the state have an officially recognized state song that will instill pride in all Mississippians and that will give rise to signal connotations in the minds of all who sing or hear the official song; and

WHEREAS, the present official state song has served its purpose, but is not representative of the quickening pace of the development of the State of Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, the Legislature desires to recognize as the official state song of the State of Mississippi, the lyrics and music of "Mississippi Song," which are:

Verse 1

She was once a great lady standing tall with her

head held high. Then a war came along, broke her

heart and left her there to die. With her gown in

tattered shreds, she raised her weary head, and

vowed she'd rise again. Looking back to yesterday,

she's come a long, long way since then.

Chorus

Mississippi, this is your song. Sung for all the

righteous people who don't let you forget when you

were wrong. In the past they've written songs for

everything that's red, white and blue. It's been a

long time coming, so Mississippi, this one's for

you.

Verse 2

I was born into her family and raised on the labors

of her fields; beneath the summer sun's warm haze.

She let me run across her meadows and her hills,

but she's still the last in line when they pass out

poems and rhymes about the land of the free.

Lord, she's still misunderstood, but she's been

mighty good to me.

NOW, THEREFORE,

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. The following shall be codified as Section 3-3-63, Mississippi Code of 1972:

3-3-63. The lyrics and music to the song "Mississippi Song," written by Jim Weatherly in 1971, is designated as the official song of the State of Mississippi.

SECTION 2. Chapter 654, Laws of 1962, which designated "Go Mississippi" as the official song of the State of Mississippi, is repealed.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2018.