Illinois adopted its official state song, “Illinois,” in 1925, written by Charles H. Chamberlain and Archibald Johnston. It celebrates the state’s prairies, agricultural history, and Civil War role. The state name is a common trend in official state songs, and to the Algonquin Indian tribes, “Illinois” means superior men or warriors.
According to the Illinois Compiled Statutes, the 54th Illinois General Assembly nominated and approved a song titled Illinois as the official state song, in 1925. The lyricist was Charles H. Chamberlain and the music was provided by Archibald Johnston. The song is sometimes referred to by its first verse: By Thy Rivers Gently Flowing. Documents filed in the official state records show that Chamberlain wrote four complete verses for Illinois.
Prior to the adoption of Illinois as a state song, Illinoisans went more than a hundred years without an official anthem. Illinois began its history as a state in December of 1818, and legislators adopted an official state seal in 1868, followed by an official state flag in 1913. No state song was adopted until section 35 was enacted of the States Designation Act in 1925. Illinois enjoys the distinction of being the first and only official state song of Illinois, the fifth largest state in the United States.
Given that Illinois bears the nickname The Prairie State, it’s understandable that the lyrics of the official state song of Illinois extol the virtues of the state’s wild prairies. In addition to celebrating the state’s famed open geography and rich agricultural history, the song further emphasizes the state’s historic role in the Civil War. The third verse of the state song commends the bravery of Illinois residents as the war began with the southern states secession. Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant, and John A. Logan are all honored in the final verse, each having served Illinois in the Civil War and as influential political leaders.
The state song of Illinois, bearing the state name as a simple one-word title, follows a trend adopted by a number of other states in the United States. More than two-thirds of official state songs in the United States prominently feature the state name in the title. Even more states have more than one official song, anthem, or musical symbol of the state, with each specially chosen tune often relying on the state name for at least part of the title. For Illinoisans, not only does the official state song of Illinois bear the name of the state, but it has additional meaning to the Native American population of the state. To the Algonquin Indian tribes native to Illinois, the word illinois, derived from the word illini, means superior men or warriors.
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