Go, Mississippi facts for kids

"Go, Mississippi" was the official state song of Mississippi from 1962 until 2022. It was chosen on May 17, 1962.

Go, Mississippi: The State Song

How It Became the State Song

The song "Go, Mississippi" was written and composed by William Houston Davis. He copyrighted it in 1962. The copyright was then given to the Jackson Board of Realtors, who suggested it to the Mississippi Legislature.

On May 16, 1962, the Mississippi House of Representatives officially adopted "Go, Mississippi" as the state song. The Legislature chose it from two songs, both written by Houston Davis. Lawmakers from the House and Senate met together to hear both songs. A professional dance orchestra played the music, and dancers from Hinds Junior College performed.

The song was officially celebrated on September 29, 1962, in Oxford, Mississippi. Governor Barnett introduced it to 41,000 fans. The Ole Miss Marching Band played the song during a football game halftime.

Its History and Controversy

The tune for "Go, Mississippi" was first used for a song called "Roll with Ross." Houston Davis wrote "Roll with Ross" in 1959 as a campaign song for Ross Barnett, who was running for governor. The lyrics of "Roll with Ross" supported keeping people of different races separate.

The halftime event where "Go, Mississippi" was introduced was also a rally against racial integration. This happened the day before the Ole Miss riot, which was about an African American student, James Meredith, being allowed to attend the university. The new state song itself wasn't directly linked to the riot. However, because Governor Barnett, who strongly opposed integration, had commissioned the song, its history became controversial. Governor Barnett was a big supporter of making his campaign song the official state song.

Why People Wanted a New Song

Over the years, many people suggested changing the state song. This was mainly because of its direct connection to Governor Barnett, who was a strong supporter of racial segregation.

Attempts to Change the Song

In 1976, State Senator Bill Alexander tried to create a committee to find a new state song. In 1994, famous singer Charlie Pride, who is closely linked to Mississippi culture, also supported changing the song.

More attempts were made after 2000. In 2000, State Senator William Gardner Hewes tried to replace the song, but his bill didn't pass. In 2003, State Senator Delma Furniss also tried to adopt a new song she wrote, but it failed. In 2011, two songwriters, Carolyn Sue Woods and John Riggs, campaigned for their song, "I Miss Mississippi."

In 2015, State Senator Robert L. Jackson introduced two bills. One bill suggested having two official state songs: "Go, Mississippi" and "My Home Mississippi." The other bill suggested replacing "Go, Mississippi" entirely with "My Home Mississippi." Both of these bills also failed.

Finally, in April 2022, the song was officially changed to "One Mississippi" by Steve Azar. The new song became official on July 1, 2022.

The Song's Words

Here are the lyrics to "Go, Mississippi":

(Verse)
States may sing their songs of praise
With waving flags and hip-hoo-rays,
Let cymbals crash and let bells ring
'Cause here's one song I'm proud to sing.

(1st chorus)
GO, MIS-SIS-SIP-PI, keep rolling along,
GO, MIS-SIS-SIP-PI, you cannot go wrong,
GO, MIS-SIS-SIP-PI, we're singing your song,
M-I-S, S-I-S, S-I-P-P-I.

(2nd chorus)
GO, MIS-SIS-SIP-PI, you're on the right track,
GO, MIS-SIS-SIP-PI, and this is a fact,
GO, MIS-SIS-SIP-PI, you'll never look back,
M-I-S, S-I-S, S-I-P-P-I.

(3rd chorus)
GO, MIS-SIS-SIP-PI, straight down the line,
GO, MIS-SIS-SIP-PI, ev'rything's fine,
GO, MIS-SIS-SIP-PI, it's your state and mine,
M-I-S, S-I-S, S-I-P-P-I.

(4th chorus)
GO, MIS-SIS-SIP-PI, continue to roll,
GO, MIS-SIS-SIP-PI, the top is the goal,
GO, MIS-SIS-SIP-PI, you'll have and you'll hold,
M-I-S, S-I-S, S-I-P-P-I.

(5th chorus)
GO, MIS-SIS-SIP-PI, get up and go,
GO, MIS-SIS-SIP-PI, let the world know,
That our Mississippi is leading the show,
M-I-S, S-I-S, S-I-P-P-I.