State Song Of North Dakota

“North Dakota Hymn” Is The Official State Song Of North Dakota. North Dakota Adopted “North Dakota Hymn” as the official North Dakota State Song in 1947. “North Dakota Hymn” Was written by a poet named James Foley in 1926 in such a way that it could be sung along with the tune of “The Austrian Hymn”. C. S. Putman arranged the music with distinct ragtime syncopation. 

 

Adoption of State Song

In 1926 Minnie J. Nielson, North Dakota Superintendent of Public Instruction asked Poet James Foley of Bismarck to write the lyrics for a State Song Of North Dakota. Foley created a poem that could be sung to the tune, “The Austrian Hymn”. Dr. C. S. Putnam, the conductor of the North Dakota Agricultural College Band in Fargo, arranged music for Foley’s work. The First Public Presentation of the North Dakota State Song was in the Bismarck City Auditorium in 1927. The North Dakota State Song, “North Dakota Hymn” with words written by James William Foley (1874-1939) and music composed by Dr. Clarence Simeon Putnam (1859-1944), And It Was adopted as the official song for the state of North Dakota on March 15, 1947.

 

“North Dakota Hymn”

Words by James W. Foley and music arranged by Dr. C. S. Putnam

 

North Dakota, North Dakota,

With thy prairies wide and free,

All thy sons and daughters love thee,

Fairest state from sea to sea;

North Dakota, North Dakota,

Here we pledge ourselves to thee.

 

Hear thy loyal children singing,

Songs of happiness and praise,

Far and long the echoes ringing,

Through the vastness of thy ways;

North Dakota, North Dakota,

We will serve thee all our days.

 

Onward, onward, onward going,

Light of courage in thine eyes,

Sweet the winds above thee blowing,

Green thy fields and fair thy skies;

North Dakota, North Dakota,

Brave the soul that in thee lies.

 

God of freedom, all victorious,

Give us souls serene and strong,

Strength to make the future glorious,

Keep the echo of our song;

North Dakota, North Dakota,

In our hearts forever long.