My Homeland, Tennessee

Adopted in 1925. Lyrics by Nell Grayson Taylor, music by Roy Lamont Smith.

First Verse

O Tennessee, that gave us birth,

To thee our hearts bow down

For thee our love and loyalty

Shall weave a fadeless crown

Thy purple hills our cradle was;

Thy fields our mother breast

Beneath thy sunny bended skies,

Our childhood days were blessed

Second Verse

’Twas long ago our fathers came,

A free and noble band,

Across the mountain’s frowning heights

To seek a promised land

And here before their raptured eyes;

In beauteous majesty:

Outspread the smiling valleys

Of the winding Tennessee

Third Verse

Could we forget our heritage

Of heroes strong and brave?

Could we do aught but cherish it,

Unsullied to the grave?

Ah no! the State where Jackson sleeps,

Shall ever peerless be

We glory in thy majesty;

Our homeland, Tennessee

Chorus

O Tennessee: Fair Tennessee:

Our love for thee can never die:

Dear homeland, Tennessee