South Carolina has two state songs: “Carolina” and “South Carolina in my Mind”. The lyrics of “Carolina” were written by Henry Timrod, who also wrote about the Civil War. “South Carolina in my Mind” was written by Hank Martin and Buzz Arledge and focuses on the beauty of the state. The second song was promoted on radio stations and personal appearances before being adopted as the state song in 1984. The Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism helped bring the song to the attention of the legislature, and it was signed into law by the governor in 1983.
South Carolina’s state song is called “Carolina.” The tune was officially adopted by the state in February 1911. This state has the distinction of having two state songs. A second tune titled “South Carolina in my Mind” was adopted by the state in 1984.
The lyrics of the first song were composed by Henry Timrod. A native of South Carolina, Timrod was born on December 8, 1829. He was an educated man who worked as a lawyer and teacher. This latter career choice gave Timrod time to write poetry. Timrod wrote often about the Civil War, and his ideas expressed were partly influenced by the poet’s experiences as a member of a volunteer fighting unit.
Timrod died in October 1867. He was predeceased by his only son, who died around the time the American Civil War ended. The poet, who did not want to see his poem set to music and adopted as the state song of South Carolina, published only one book of his poems in his lifetime. Along with “Carolina”, he is known as the author of “Ethnogenesis” and “Cotton Ball”.
Anne Custis Burgess, born in 1974, set Timrod’s words to music. Burgess was educated at Converse College and continued to teach music. She died in 1910.
South Carolina’s second state song was written by Hank Martin and Buzz Arledge. This song has a very different feel than the South Carolina state song adopted in the early 20th century. Rather than focusing on the state during wartime, “South Carolina on my Mind” is an ode to the beauty of the state and the attractions it has to offer for both locals and tourists.
The musical duo had promoted the song on several radio stations and played it during numerous personal appearances before it was adopted as South Carolina’s second state song. Public events where the song has been played include the Governor’s Conference of the state and the Pendleton Spring Jubilee. The interest they created in the song helped bring it to the attention of government employees.
The state’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism helped bring the song to the attention of the legislature. On May 12, 1983, a bill was introduced to formally adopt it as the state song of South Carolina. The motion was granted, and the governor immediately signed it.
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