The "North Dakota Hymn" is the
state song of the
U.S. state
In the United States, a state is a constituent political entity, of which there are 50. Bound together in a political union, each state holds governmental jurisdiction over a separate and defined geographic territory where it shares its sover ...
of
North Dakota
North Dakota () is a U.S. state in the Upper Midwest, named after the Native Americans in the United States, indigenous Dakota people, Dakota Sioux. North Dakota is bordered by the Canadian provinces of Saskatchewan and Manitoba to the north a ...
. It was written by poet James Foley at the request of
North Dakota Superintendent of Public Instruction
The North Dakota Superintendent of Public Instruction oversees the operations of the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction. The Superintendent enforces state and federal statutes and regulations regarding public schools and related program ...
Minnie Nielson in 1926 to the tune of "
The Austrian Hymn". Dr. Clarence Simeon "C.S." Putnam arranged the music with distinct
ragtime
Ragtime, also spelled rag-time or rag time, is a musical style that flourished from the 1890s to 1910s. Its cardinal trait is its syncopated or "ragged" rhythm. Ragtime was popularized during the early 20th century by composers such as Scott ...
syncopation.
Lyrics
:North Dakota, North Dakota,
:With thy prairies wide and free,
:All thy sons and daughters love thee,
:Fairest state from sea to sea;
:North Dakota, North Dakota,
:Here we pledge ourselves to thee.
:Hear thy loyal children singing,
:Songs of happiness and praise,
:Far and long the echoes ringing,
:Through the vastness of thy ways;
:North Dakota, North Dakota,
:We will serve thee all our days.
:Onward, onward, onward going,
:Light of courage in thine eyes,
:Sweet the winds above thee blowing,
:Green thy fields and fair thy skies;
:North Dakota, North Dakota,
:Brave the Soul that in thee lies.
:God of freedom, all victorious,
:Give us Souls serene and strong,
:Strength to make the future glorious,
:Keep the echo of our song;
:North Dakota, North Dakota,
:In our hearts forever long.
References
External links
Sheet music on North Dakota state website
United States state songs
Music of North Dakota
Songs about North Dakota
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