“Hail, South Dakota,” Is The Official State Song Of South Dakota. “Hail, South Dakota”, with words and music by Deecourt Hammitt was adopted as the official South Dakota State Song on March 5, 1943.
The official National Song Of South Dakota is an upbeat marching song. DeeCort Hammitt’s lyrics and music praise the state’s landmarks (Mount Rushmore, the Black Hills, the Badlands), the farms, the people, and the state’s sunny weather. In 1943, the state held a popular referendum in which the State Song Of South Dakota was selected.
Official State Song
Lyrics: DeeCort Hammitt
Music: DeeCort Hammitt
“Hail! South Dakota!”
Hail! South Dakota! a great state of the land;
Health, wealth, and beauty, that’s what makes her grand;
She has her Black Hills and mines with gold so rare,
And with her scenery, no other state can compare.
Come where the sun shines, and where life’s worth your while;
You won’t be here long, till you’ll wear a smile;
No state’s so healthy, and no folk quite so true.
To South Dakota we welcome you.
Hail! South Dakota! the state we love the best,
Land of our fathers, builders of the west;
Home of the Badlands, and Rushmore’s ageless shrine,
Black Hills and prairies, farmland and sunshine.
Hills, farms, and prairies, blessed with bright sunshine.