Louisiana State Song

"Give Me Louisiana" and "You Are My Sunshine" 1st Song "Give Me Louisiana" Lyrics: John Croom Music: Doralice Fontane Adoption: 1970 2nd Song "You Are My Sunshine" Lyrics: Jimmie H. Davis and Charles Mitchell Music: Jimmie H. Davis and Charles Mitchell Adoption: 1977 Official March Song "Louisiana, My Home Sweet Home" Lyrics: Sammie McKenzie and Lou Levoy Music: Castro Carazo Adoption: 1952 Official State Environmental song "The Gifts of Earth" Lyrics: Frances LeBeau Music: Frances LeBeau Adoption: 1990 HISTORY Louisiana has adopted four state songs. In 1952, "Louisiana, My Home Sweet Home," a musical composition, with lyrics by Sammie McKenzie and Lou Levoy and music by Castro Carazo, was adopted as the "official march song." "Give Me Louisiana," designated as the official state song on July 9, 1970, was written by John Croom and set to tune by Doralice Fontane. This song includes references to the various state nicknames of Pelican State, Sugar State, Creole State, and Bayou State. The classic "You Are My Sunshine" was written and composed by Governor Jimmie H. Davis and Charles Mitchell. It was recorded for the Decca label in 1940, became widely recognized, and was adopted as the main state song in 1977. In 1990, Louisiana designated the song "The Gifts of Earth," written and composed by Frances LeBeau, as the official state environmental song. "Give me Louisiana" and "The Gifts of Earth" are general in approach, while "You Are My Sunshine" and "Louisiana, My Home Sweet Home" make references to magnolias, cotton, and the Gulf of Mexico, which are state-specific characteristics.  -World Trade Press LYRICS "Give Me Louisiana" Give me Louisiana, The state where I was born The state of snowy cotton, The best I've ever known; A state of sweet magnolias, And Creole melodies Oh give me Louisiana, The state where I was born Oh what sweet old memories The mossy old oaks bring It brings us the story of our Evangeline A state of old tradition, Of old plantation days Makes good old Louisiana The sweetest of all states. Give me Louisiana, A state prepared to share That good old southern custom, Hospitality so rare; A state of fruit and flowers, Of sunshine and spring showers Oh give me Louisiana, The state where I was born Its woodlands, Its marshes Where humble trappers live Its rivers, Its valleys, A place to always give A state where work is pleasure, With blessings in full measure Makes good old Louisiana The dearest of all states. Give me Louisiana, Where love birds always sing In shady lanes or pastures, The cowbells softly ring; The softness of the sunset Brings peace and blissful rest Oh give me Louisiana, The state where I was born The smell of sweet clover Which blossoms everywhere The fresh new mown hay Where children romp and play A state of love and laughter, A state for all here after Makes good old Louisiana The grandest of all states. "You Are My Sunshine" You Are My Sunshine My only sunshine. You make me happy When skies are gray. You'll never know, dear, How much I love you. Please don't take my sunshine away. The other nite, dear, As I lay sleeping I dreamed I held you in my arms. When I awoke, dear, I was mistaken And I hung my head and cried. You are my sunshine, My only sunshine. You make me happy When skies are gray. You'll never know, dear, How much I love you. Please don't take my sunshine away. I'll always love you And make you happy If you will only say the same But if you leave me To love another You'll regret it all some day; You are my sunshine, My only sunshine. You make me happy When skies are gray. You'll never know, dear, How much I love you. Please don't take my sunshine away. You told me once, dear You really loved me And no one else could come between But now you've left me And love another You have shattered all my dreams; You are my sunshine, My only sunshine. You make me happy When skies are gray. You'll never know, dear, How much I love you. Please don't take my sunshine away. Louisiana my Louisiana the place where I was borne. White fields of cotton -- green fields clover, the best fishing and long tall corn; You are my sunshine, My only sunshine. You make me happy When skies are gray. You'll never know, dear, How much I love you. Please don't take my sunshine away. Crawfish gumbo and jambalaya the biggest shrimp and sugar cane, the finest oysters and sweet strawberries from Toledo Bend to New Orleans; You are my sunshine, My only sunshine. You make me happy When skies are gray. You'll never know, dear, How much I love you. Please don't take my sunshine away.