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

House Bill 589

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.