MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2019 Regular Session
To: Tourism
By: Representatives Gibbs (72nd), Clarke, Paden, Hines, Anthony, Banks, Burnett, Calhoun, Clark, Dixon, Dortch, Gibbs (36th), Harness, Holloway, Hudson, Mickens, Rosebud, Sykes, Taylor, Young
AN ACT TO CREATE NEW SECTION 3-3-63, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO DESIGNATE "MISSISSIPPI BEAUTIFUL" 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 positive connotations in the minds of all who sing or hear the official song; and
WHEREAS, the song "Mississippi Beautiful," written by Pam Confer, was debuted at the Mississippi State Capitol on December 4, 2017, as a tribute to Mississippi's progress towards unity and harmony among its citizens; and
WHEREAS, in honoring Mississippi's overwhelming beauty, comprised of its music, its culture, its food and its people, "Mississippi Beautiful" celebrates the rich history of Mississippi and provides a song for all to sing; and
WHEREAS, "Mississippi Beautiful" was dedicated to the opening of the Museum of Mississippi History and the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum on December 9, 2017, and was also dedicated to Mississippi's bicentennial celebration on December 10, 2017; and
WHEREAS, most prestigiously, "Mississippi Beautiful" was selected to be permanently featured in "Gallery 8: Where Do We Go From Here" in the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum; 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 Beautiful," written by Pam Confer, which are:
Verse I
Who are we?
What do we stand for?
Who are we?
Nothing remains the same
For we know
Even the seasons change
Mississippi, who are we?
Who are we?
How do we claim it?
Who are we?
We're faces of joy and pain
For we know
We're more than just a name
Mississippi, who are we?
Chorus
I know, you're beautiful, you're beautiful
The more that you believe that
You're beautiful, you're beautiful
The more that you can see that
You're beautiful, you're beautiful
The moment you believe that
You're beautiful, you're beautiful
The moment you can see
Verse II
Who are we?
How are we living?
Who are we?
Our legacy is now
For we know
Our strength, our pride, our power
Mississippi, who are we?
Who are we?
Let's tell our children
Who are we?
That this is their song to sing
For we know
That they can do anything
Mississippi, who are we?
Chorus
I know, we're beautiful, we're beautiful
The more that we believe that
We're beautiful, we're beautiful
The more that we can see that
We're beautiful, we're beautiful
The moment we believe that
We're beautiful, we're beautiful
The moment we can see
Interlude
If you believe, we will see, and together we'll be
If you believe, we will see, and together we'll be
If you believe, just believe, only believe
Verse III
Who are we?
Let's take each moment
Who are we?
To touch and lift our fellow man
For we know
No one can love quite like we can
Mississippi, who are we?
Who are we?
Let's use our voices
Who are we?
To sing above our highest fear
For we know
A smile can find a way to heal
Mississippi, who are we?
Chorus
I know, we're beautiful, we're beautiful
The more that we believe that
We're beautiful, we're beautiful
The more that we can see that
We're beautiful, we're beautiful
The moment we believe that
We're beautiful, we're beautiful
The moment we can see
Bridge
It's my Mississippi
Short or tall, she loves us all
It's my Mississippi
You're beautiful, you're beautiful
It's my Mississippi
This is our light, let's shine it bright
It's my Mississippi
You're beautiful, you're beautiful
Chorus
I know, we're beautiful, we're beautiful
The more that we believe that
We're beautiful, we're beautiful
The more that we can see that
We're beautiful, we're beautiful
The moment we believe that
We're beautiful, we're beautiful
The moment we can see
Ending
(If you believe, we will see, and together we'll be)
(If you believe, we will see, and together we'll be)
If only you believe that
The moment you believe
We will be free to be
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 Beautiful," written by Pam Confer, are 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, 2019.