South Dakota State Song

"Hail, South Dakota"

Official State Song

Lyrics: DeeCort Hammitt

Music: DeeCort Hammitt

Adoption: 1943

HISTORY

The official state song of South Dakota is an upbeat marching song. DeeCort Hammitt’s lyrics and music praise the state’s landmarks (Mount Rushmore, the Black Hills, the Badlands), the farms, the people, and the state’s sunny weather. In 1943, the state held a popular referendum in which the song was selected. -World Trade Press

LYRICS

"Hail! South Dakota!"

Hail! South Dakota! a great state of the land;
Health, wealth, and beauty, that's what makes her grand;
She has her Black Hills, and mines with gold so rare,
And with her scenery, no other state can compare.

Come where the sun shines, and where life's worth your while;
You won't be here long, till you'll wear a smile;
No state's so healthy, and no folk quite so true.
To South Dakota we welcome you.

Hail! South Dakota! the state we love the best,
Land of our fathers, builders of the west;
Home of the Badlands, and Rushmore's ageless shrine,
Black Hills and prairies, farmland and sunshine.
Hills, farms, and prairies, blessed with bright sunshine.