House Bill 592

AN ACT TO CODIFY NEW SECTION 3-3-63, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO DESIGNATE THE SONG "QUEEN OF THE SOUTH" AS AN OFFICIAL STATE SONG IN ADDITION TO THE PRESENT STATE SONG OF MISSISSIPPI, "GO, MISSISSIPPI"; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

WHEREAS, the Legislature recognizes that many states of the United States have two (2) or more official state songs, including: Tennessee, which has six (6) official state songs; West Virginia, which has three (3) official state songs; and Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana and South Carolina, which have two (2) official state songs each; and

WHEREAS, Mississippi presently has an official state song, "Go, Mississippi" by Houston Davis, which was adopted by the Legislature in House Concurrent Resolution No. 67, 1962 Regular Session; and

WHEREAS, while "Go, Mississippi" is used sometimes for special occasions and specific events, the lyrics and melody of the song do not lend themselves easily for Mississippians to sing at informal gatherings and by Mississippians individually as they go about their daily lives; and

WHEREAS, the Legislature desires to provide Mississippians with two (2) official state songs so that Mississippians will have official state songs appropriate for all occasions, events and daily activities; and

WHEREAS, the Legislature further desires to recognize the words and music of "Queen of the South" as a second official song of the State of Mississippi; 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. (1) The lyrics and music in the song entitled "Queen of the South" by Rick Cox are designated as an official state song of the State of Mississippi, in addition to the present official state song, "Go, Mississippi" by Houston Davis, adopted by the Legislature in House Concurrent Resolution No. 67, 1962 Regular Session.

(2) The lyrics of "Queen of the South" consist of three (3) verses and two (2) choruses, as follows:

Queen of the South

VERSE 1:

It's the first night of summer deep in the heart of Mississippi,

And the fireflies are burning holes in the dark, ain't they pretty,

A mockingbird's whistling another bird's tune,

While the smell of magnolias hangs heavy in June;

And the sun, like a crown, has set on the Queen of the South.

VERSE 2:

Families have gathered to laugh, talk and sing on this humid night,

Grandma and Grandpa on the front porch swing it's a Southern delight,

Pine trees swaying to the sound of the wind,

While the City of New Orleans rolls by once again;

And the moon, like a spotlight, shines on the Queen of the South.

CHORUS:

Oh, Mississippi, what a lady you are,

A woman of grace and beauty and charm,

And those who have known you they have no doubt;

Among all the others you're the Queen of the South.

VERSE 3:

A slow Southern breeze brings some relief to a sweaty brow,

And out of the fields comes the sweet melody of a lowing cow,

Bullfrogs are croakin', "You've caught him this time!",

As an old man pulls up another trot line;

And the stars, like diamonds, reflect on the Queen of the South.

CHORUS:

Oh, Mississippi, what a lady you are,

A woman of grace and beauty and charm,

And those who have known you they have no doubt;

Among all the others you're the Queen of the South.

(3) The Division of Tourism of the Mississippi Development Authority and all other agencies of the state interested in promoting the welfare of the State of Mississippi are encouraged to make use of the state song "Queen of the South" in promoting and advancing the State of Mississippi and its citizens. The State of Mississippi and state agencies are granted copyright permission by the song's author to use this song in pursuing and accomplishing these endeavors.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2018.