Did you know Louisiana has more than one state song?

Allison Bruhl
·1 min read
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BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) — Did you know that Louisiana has more than one state song?

The Pelican State is home to different sounds, including genres of Zydeco, Cajun, jazz and blues. Louisiana is known for some of the biggest music artists like Louis Armstrong, Britney Spears, Fats Domino, Lil Wayne and Jerry Lee Lewis.

According to State Symbols USA, Louisiana has four state songs: “Give Me Louisiana” by Doralice Fontane, “You Are My Sunshine” by Jimmie Davis, “Louisiana My Home Sweet Home” by Sammie McKenzie, Lou Lavoy & Castro Carazo and “Gifts of the Earth” by Frances LeBeau.

However, “Give Me Louisiana” was struck from the state songs list during the 2021 legislative session, and “Southern Nights” by Allen Toussaint was added as the official state cultural song.

When are magnolias at peak bloom in Louisiana?

People may be most familiar with “You Are My Sunshine,” an American folk song recorded by former Gov. Davis. The Beech Springs native started his singing career as a student, growing in popularity in the 1930s, according to the Country Music Hall of Fame website.

Information about Davis on the Secretary of State website said music became a part of his campaign strategy during the 1944 governor’s race after “he was accused of ‘going high hat’ because he would not sing.”

The lyrics in “Louisiana My Home Sweet Home” mention the southern magnolia and use imagery to refer to the state’s natural beauty.

“Gifts of the Earth” is the state’s environmental song. Its chorus lyrics are simple and contemplative, “Take a look around you, At the wonders of the land. Think about tomorrow. Take the time to understand.”

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