Forty-eight of the 50 states in the U.S. have an official state song. (New Jersey is the only state without one, and Maryland retired theirs in 2021.)

They are all unique and express distinct characteristics about the industries, cultures, landscapes, and people that reside within their borders. The North Carolina state song is no different, but there is a rich history behind the creation and evolution of the song throughout the decades. 

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Below is a North Carolina state song lyrics analysis, along with a brief history of its development. Keep reading to find out more about the words, how they got there, and what they mean.

North Carolina state song origins

The title of the state song of North Carolina is "The Old North State." The lyrics were written in 1835 by William Gaston. Gaston County and the city of Gastonia are named after him. 

Gaston was born in New Bern in 1778. He was the first student to enroll in Georgetown College, and he studied law at the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University). 

Gaston served in the state legislature, on the state supreme court, and represented North Carolina in the U.S. Congress. He then returned to New Bern to practice law. 

The story goes that Gaston, on a visit to Raleigh, heard a troupe of Swiss bell ringers playing a tune, which prompted him to write the words to go along with it. In 1928, a statue of Gaston was erected in Raleigh, at the corner of the two streets (Hargett and Salisbury) where he supposedly penned the state song's lyrics.  

Until 1926, there were very few printings or arrangments of the song. It was passed down orally through several generations. This resulted in several variations of the notes and words, which sprung up throughout the state. 

In 1927, the state General Assembly adopted a standardized tune and words to "The Old North State," and it became the official Tar Heel State anthem. They also commissioned printed sheet music and band arrangements. 

NC state song title

The "old north state" in the title refers to the division of the Carolina colony in 1710. What is today North and South Carolina had distinct governors appointed by British lords. Residents in the colonies began referring to North Carolina, which had older settlements, as "the old north state."  

In addition to being the nickname of North Carolina and the title of the state song, it is also the name of the state toast, which was written in 1904. For most of the 20th century, it was framed and hung in schools, homes, offices and government buildings. The state General Assembly made it the official state toast in 1957. 

NC state song lyrics

The state song expresses many profound sentiments of deep love and pride for North Carolina. It celebrates the state's history, as well as its natural beauty and its people. The lyrics are a mix of nostalgia and hope for the future.

The longest version of the song comprises five main verses with four lines each. Every verse concludes with the refrain: 

"Hurrah! Hurrah! The Old North State Forever

Hurrah! Hurrah! The good Old North State!"

The official song adopted by the General Assembly eliminates verses three and four. 

Verse One

The song begins "Carolina, Carolina, heaven's blessings attend her!" The second stanza goes on to talk about cherishing, protecting, and defending the state. 

The verse then references the "scorner" sneering at the state and "witlings" defaming her.  This most likely refers to disparaging views of it by outsiders. This may have had something to do with the slower development of North Carolina as a colony, due in part to its limited seaports (because of the Outer Banks).  

Note that this period of stunted enterprise was brief. By the mid-1800s, when Gaston wrote the song, North Carolina was thriving with development related to:

  • Manufacturing
    • Agriculture
      • Railroads
        • Plank roads
          • Public schools
            • Support of the blind, deaf, and mentally ill

              In fact, Gaston used his role as a public official to help bring about many of these developments. 

              The verse concludes by mentioning the full hearts that the sound of the state name evokes. 

              Verse Two

              The second verse describes how North Carolina "envies not others their merited glory" but is also "true to herself" in "Liberty's story." This evokes the state motto: esse quam videri, or "to be rather than to seem." 

              Verse Three

              The third verse returns to less-than-marvelous perceptions of the state and its residents. It talks about the "plain and artless" nature of its citizens. Again, the suspicion was that Gaston's goal was to "own" this stereotype and to point out the simple yet virtuous attributes of North Carolina's citizenry. 

              In fact, in the very next stanza, he emphasizes the willingness of North Carolinians to welcome strangers with "doors [that] open faster." The verse also mentions the state's beautiful landscape, including its native mountains and the rich ore that they contained. 

              Verse Four

              The second-to-last verse describes the "daughters" of the state. They resemble the "Queen of the Forest" and are graceful and constant. "And true lightwood at heart, let the match be applied them, How they kindle and flame!" 

              Verse Five

              The North Carolina state song concludes by beseeching those who love North Carolinians to "love the land that we live in (as happy a region on this side of Heaven)." It also mentions "Plenty" and "Freedom," two figures prominent on the state flag, as well as "Love" and "Peace" who "smile before us." The final stanza before the refrain goes: "Raise aloud, raise together, the heart-thrilling chorus!"