Arizona · The Grand Canyon State · By Ismail Farooq, founder · Updated
Arizona state song: the official anthem's story, and a new song to hear
Arizona's official state song is “Arizona March Song”, adopted in 1919. Below is the story of that song, the state's symbols, and “Red Rock Sky”: a brand-new anthem SongUp AI wrote and sang for Arizona, with its full lyrics.
An original song for Arizona
Desert Americana with Spanish guitar, mariachi trumpet accents, dusty slide guitar and a steady driving beat
“Red Rock Sky” lyrics
Original words by SongUp AI, 2026. Male vocal · Desert Americana with Spanish guitar.
Verse 1
Sun comes up on painted stone a billion years in the making
The Colorado cuts a canyon that leaves every stranger shaking
Saguaros stand like sentinels across the Sonoran floor
Arizona, you're the heat and the hush I keep coming back for
Chorus
Under a red rock sky, where the cactus wren sings
From Phoenix to Flagstaff, I know what freedom brings
Grand Canyon State, you carved a place in me
Arizona, you're the wide open where I'm free
Verse 2
Sedona glows at sunset like a fire that's never done
Tucson in the monsoon rain, Tombstone in the sun
Route 66 through Flagstaff pines, the old neon still bright
Navajo stars above the mesa, a million points of light
Chorus
Under a red rock sky, where the cactus wren sings
From Phoenix to Flagstaff, I know what freedom brings
Grand Canyon State, you carved a place in me
Arizona, you're the wide open where I'm free
Bridge
Ditat Deus, says the seal, the land itself is gold
Every canyon has a story that is waiting to be told
Chorus
Under a red rock sky, where the cactus wren sings
From Phoenix to Flagstaff, I know what freedom brings
Grand Canyon State, you carved a place in me
Arizona, you're the wide open where I'm free
About “Red Rock Sky”
Arizona's song is desert Americana: Spanish guitar and a touch of mariachi trumpet over a driving beat, the border-country sound of the Southwest. The verses travel from the Grand Canyon to Sedona's red rocks, Tucson's monsoon season and Route 66 through Flagstaff.
The cactus wren in the chorus is the state bird and the saguaro blossom the state flower. Arizona has two official songs, the 1919 "Arizona March Song" and Rex Allen Jr.'s "Arizona" from 1982; ours is a third voice, not a replacement.
Places and symbols in the song
- the Grand Canyon
- Sedona red rocks
- saguaro cactus
- Phoenix
- Route 66 in Flagstaff
- Cactus wren
- Saguaro cactus blossom
SongUp AI composed and sang this song from the lyrics above and the style line under the title, the same way it makes songs for its users. It is not the official state song and it is not a cover.
The official state song of Arizona
- Title
- “Arizona March Song”
- Written by
- words by Margaret Rowe Clifford, music by Maurice Blumenthal
- Status
- adopted in 1919
A second, alternate state anthem, "Arizona" by Rex Allen Jr., was added in 1982, so the state has two official songs.
Many official state songs are still in copyright, so their lyrics are not printed here. The state's own website or legislature publishes the official text.
Arizona at a glance
- Nickname
- The Grand Canyon State
- Capital
- Phoenix
- Largest city
- Phoenix
- Statehood
- February 14, 1912 (48th state)
- Motto
- Ditat Deus (God enriches)
- State bird
- Cactus wren
- State flower
- Saguaro cactus blossom
- Official state song
- "Arizona March Song" (in 1919)
Questions about Arizona's state song
What is the official state song of Arizona?
The official state song of Arizona is "Arizona March Song", words by Margaret Rowe Clifford, music by Maurice Blumenthal, adopted in 1919. A second, alternate state anthem, "Arizona" by Rex Allen Jr., was added in 1982, so the state has two official songs.
Is "Red Rock Sky" the official state song of Arizona?
No. "Red Rock Sky" is an original song written and sung by SongUp AI in 2026 as a new anthem for Arizona. The official state song is "Arizona March Song", adopted in 1919. The official lyrics are not reproduced here; this page is about the facts of that song and about our own.
What is "Red Rock Sky" about?
Arizona's song is desert Americana: Spanish guitar and a touch of mariachi trumpet over a driving beat, the border-country sound of the Southwest. The verses travel from the Grand Canyon to Sedona's red rocks, Tucson's monsoon season and Route 66 through Flagstaff. It names the Grand Canyon, Sedona red rocks, saguaro cactus, Phoenix and Route 66 in Flagstaff, with the state bird (cactus wren) and state flower (saguaro cactus blossom) in the lyrics.
Who wrote "Arizona March Song" and when was it adopted?
"Arizona March Song" is credited to words by Margaret Rowe Clifford, music by Maurice Blumenthal; it was adopted in 1919. A second, alternate state anthem, "Arizona" by Rex Allen Jr., was added in 1982, so the state has two official songs.
What are Arizona's state symbols?
Arizona is nicknamed The Grand Canyon State. Its capital is Phoenix and its largest city is Phoenix. It joined the Union on February 14, 1912 (48th state). The state motto is "Ditat Deus (God enriches)", the state bird is the cactus wren and the state flower is the saguaro cactus blossom.
Can I play or share "Red Rock Sky"?
Yes. Listen here as often as you like and share the page link. For a song of your own about Arizona, your town, your school or your family, with the names and places you choose, describe it on the Create page: a free account hears a 30-second preview of its own lyrics sung, and a full song comes with a Pro plan.
How do I make my own song about Arizona?
Open the Create page, describe the song (for example "an upbeat country song about growing up in Phoenix, AZ") or paste your own lyrics, pick a voice, and SongUp AI writes, sings and mixes it in a few minutes. Every song comes with a lyric video, stems and a gift page.