Illinois Song

Info

This is the official state song of Illinois, U.S.

Lyrics

(Melody by Archibald Johnson, 1870, Lyrics by Charles H. Chamberlain between 1890 & 1893)

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

2. 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.

Celebrating Illinois: 3rd, 4th, 5th grade program song ideas

Illinois Song
Plains of Illinois
Little Old Sod Shanty
Drill Ye Tarriers
Rock Island Line
El-A-Noy
Goin’ Down to Cairo

See also

YouTube

  • PDF of song with chords
  • MIDI file
  • Listen to the melody

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7 thoughts on “Illinois Song”

  1. Great timing on this post! I’m doing a “Singing through the States” concert with my 3rd graders and am looking for state songs! Do you know where I could find the accompaniment to the “Illinois Song”?

    1. Awesome, thank you!!! For my program I’m just collecting various folk songs from different state and also using 50 Nifty and the State Song (What Did Delaware?. . ) So, if you have any state songs and feel like sharing them that would be awesome!!
      Love your blog!

    2. Ooh, Amy, you’ve offered me a challenge: collect as many state songs as I can! And, I, for one, can’t resist a good challenge! 🙂 Now, this is gonna take me awhile, so maybe I’ll post them one region at a time. Sound good? Oh, I’m so excited! (Yes, I’m a music geek!) 🙂

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