House Bill 316

AN ACT TO CODIFY SECTION 3-3-57, 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 now representative of the quickening pace of the development of the State of Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, the Legislature desires to recognize, as the official 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 won'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 3-3-57, Mississippi Code of 1972:

3-3-57. The lyrics and music to the song "Mississippi Song," written by Jim Weatherly in 1971, is hereby 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 Chapter 654, Laws of 1962, which designated "Go Mississippi" as the official song of the State of Mississippi, is repealed.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, 2011.