“Go Mississippi” is the official state song of Mississippi, adopted in 1962. It was written by William Houston Davis and reflects the state’s positive attitude. Mississippi also has other state symbols, such as the flag, coat of arms, and state bird, the Mockingbird. In 2000 and 2011, attempts were made to change the state song, but they were unsuccessful.
The official state song of Mississippi is “Go Mississippi.” It was written by William Houston Davis and was officially adopted as the state song of Mississippi in May 1962. Along with other Mississippi state symbols, it is representative of the state’s unique characteristics and history and encourages patriotism within the people of the state of Mississippi.
While William Houston Davis was not born in Mississippi, but Oklahoma in 1914, he later moved to Mississippi. He died in 1987. Prior to 1962, there was no official Mississippi state song until a group of realtors decided to remedy this and the Jackson, Mississippi Board of Realtors convened an advisory committee and proposed Davis’ song “Go Mississippi”. Its music and lyrics reflect the positive attitude of the state of Mississippi and its residents.
William Gardner Hewes, Senator from Mississippi at the time, proposed changing the official state song of Mississippi in 2000. He suggested Edward Owen Miller’s “Mississippi” as a replacement song, but the committee disagreed and was been denied. In 2011, John Riggs, a Nashville songwriter, again suggested an update to the Mississippi state song and featured a song he co-wrote with Carolyn Sue Woods called “I Miss Mississippi” that he thought reflected the state better than the generic ” Go Mississippi” which, according to him, could apply to any state.
Every state in the United States has a state song, each one handpicked to accurately reflect the state. Each song has its own story and meaning to the state and inspire great pride. Along with other state emblems and symbols, such as the flag, state animal, and state flower, each of these embraces the unique qualities and abundant resources of that state.
Other well-known symbols of Mississippi include its flag, adopted in 1894, which is the only state flag in the United States to include the battle flag of the Confederacy. Mississippi’s coat of arms, also adopted in 1894, with the blue shield and eagle includes the motto Virtute et Amis, the Latin for “By Valor and Arms.” While the motto has not actually been officially adopted, it does reflect the character of the people of Mississippi: brave and strong. Mississippi’s state bird is the Mockingbird, found throughout the state, with its singing voice easily recognizable. It was selected by the Federated Women’s Clubs and was officially adopted as the state bird of Mississippi in 1944.
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