MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2000 Regular Session

To: Education

By: Representative Moak

AN ACT TO CREATE A NEW CODE SECTION TO BE CODIFIED AS SECTION 3-3-32, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO DESIGNATE "MISSISSIPPI, THE PROMISED LAND" AS THE OFFICIAL STATE BALLAD; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. The following shall be codified as Section 3-3-32, Mississippi Code of 1972:

3-3-32. The ballad "Mississippi, The Promised Land," by Paul Robertson and Paul Ott, copyrighted 1969, is hereby designated as the state ballad of Mississippi. The ballad reads as follows:

"MISSISSIPPI

THE PROMISED LAND

You know I've traveled all over this world

And I've seen a lot of beautiful places and people

But when I'm away

My heart always turns toward the most beautiful place

And the most beautiful people in the world

I call it the Promised Land

You know I'm thinking about Mississippi

Where the cotton blossoms grow

I can see the fields of white

Cast a spell that seems just right

And in my heart I'll always know

There's a cotton blossom moon still shining

On my old Mississippi home

Fragrant whispers in the breeze

From the sweet magnolia trees

Seems to haunt me where ever I roam

In my dreams I hear the church bell ringing

Where my Mother used to kneel and pray

There's a cotton blossom miss in Mississippi

And pretty soon I'll be heading that way

To The Promised Land"

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2000.