Illinois Symbols, State Song: Illinois

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"Illinois"

Written by C.H. Chamberlain
Composed by Archibald Johnston

Adopted in 1925.

Sheet Music | MIDI

By thy rivers gently flowing, Illinois, Illinois,
O'er thy prairies verdant growing, Illinois, Illinois,
Comes an echo on the breeze.
Rustling through the leafy trees, and its mellow tones are these, Illinois, Illinois,
And its mellow tones are these, Illinois.

From a wilderness of prairies, Illinois, Illinois,
Straight thy way and never varies, Illinois, Illinois,
Till upon the inland sea,
Stands thy great commerical tree, turning all the world to thee, Illinois, Illinois,
Turning all the world to thee, Illinois.

When you heard your country calling, Illinois, Illinois,
Where the shot and shell were falling, Illinois, Illinois,
When the Southern host withdrew,
Pitting Gray against the Blue, There were none more brave than you, Illinois, Illinois,
There were none more brave than you, Illinois.

Not without thy wondrous story, Illinois, Illinois,
Can be writ the nation's glory, Illinois, Illinois,
On the record of thy years,
Abraham Lincoln's name appears, Grant and Logan, and our tears, Illinois, Illinois,
Grant and Logan, and our tears, Illinois.

Origin of Song:

The 54th Illinois General Assembly enacted legislation establishing the State Song.
Source: Illinois Blue Book, 1983-1984

Illinois Compiled Statutes
General Provisions
State Designations Act
5 ILCS 460

Sec. 35. State song. The song "Illinois", words written by C. H.
Chamberlain and music composed by Archibald Johnston, is designated the
official State song of Illinois. The words and music of the song are
set forth at Laws 1925, pages 602 and 603, and are incorporated into
this Section by reference.
(Source: P.A. 87-273.)

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