Arkansas · The Natural State · By Ismail Farooq, founder · Updated
Arkansas state song: the official anthem's story, and a new song to hear
Arkansas's official state song is “Arkansas (You Run Deep in Me) and Oh, Arkansas”, both adopted in 1987. Below is the story of that song, the state's symbols, and “Natural State of Mind”: a brand-new anthem SongUp AI wrote and sang for Arkansas, with its full lyrics.
An original song for Arkansas
Front-porch folk and bluegrass, fiddle, mandolin, upright bass, warm harmonies and a foot-stomping chorus
“Natural State of Mind” lyrics
Original words by SongUp AI, 2026. Male and female duet · Front-porch folk and bluegrass.
Verse 1
Fog lifts off the Buffalo, the bluffs are turning gold
A johnboat and a fishing line, a story getting told
Hot Springs steaming in the pines like it did a hundred years
Arkansas, you wash away a lifetime full of tears
Chorus
I'm in a natural state of mind, Ozark mountain high
Mockingbird is singing where the apple blossoms lie
From Little Rock to Fayetteville, the Delta to the hills
Arkansas, you're the quiet that my restless heart fulfills
Verse 2
Rice fields shine like silver down the flat Delta road
Blues came up from Helena carrying a heavy load
Diamonds in the Murfreesboro dirt, pearls down in the stream
Arkansas, you're the kind of place a wanderer would dream
Chorus
I'm in a natural state of mind, Ozark mountain high
Mockingbird is singing where the apple blossoms lie
From Little Rock to Fayetteville, the Delta to the hills
Arkansas, you're the quiet that my restless heart fulfills
Bridge
Regnat populus, the people rule, and the people here are kind
Arkansas, you keep me in a natural state of mind
Chorus
I'm in a natural state of mind, Ozark mountain high
Mockingbird is singing where the apple blossoms lie
From Little Rock to Fayetteville, the Delta to the hills
Arkansas, you're the quiet that my restless heart fulfills
About “Natural State of Mind”
A fiddle-and-mandolin bluegrass duet for the Natural State, built around the Ozarks, the Buffalo National River, the Hot Springs bathhouses and the rice fields of the Arkansas Delta. The bridge quotes the state motto, "Regnat populus".
Arkansas is unusual in having four official songs and anthems. The mockingbird (state bird), the apple blossom (state flower) and the Crater of Diamonds at Murfreesboro all make it into the lyrics.
Places and symbols in the song
- the Ozarks
- Hot Springs
- the Buffalo River
- Little Rock
- rice fields of the Delta
- Northern mockingbird
- Apple 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 Arkansas
- Title
- “Arkansas (You Run Deep in Me) and Oh, Arkansas”
- Written by
- Wayland Holyfield; Terry Rose and Gary Klaff
- Status
- both adopted in 1987
Arkansas also keeps "Arkansas" by Eva Ware Barnett as its state anthem and "The Arkansas Traveler" as its state historical song, four official pieces in all.
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.
Arkansas at a glance
- Nickname
- The Natural State
- Capital
- Little Rock
- Largest city
- Little Rock
- Statehood
- June 15, 1836 (25th state)
- Motto
- Regnat populus (The people rule)
- State bird
- Northern mockingbird
- State flower
- Apple blossom
- Official state song
- "Arkansas (You Run Deep in Me) and Oh, Arkansas" (in 1987)
Questions about Arkansas's state song
What is the official state song of Arkansas?
The official state song of Arkansas is "Arkansas (You Run Deep in Me) and Oh, Arkansas", Wayland Holyfield; Terry Rose and Gary Klaff, both adopted in 1987. Arkansas also keeps "Arkansas" by Eva Ware Barnett as its state anthem and "The Arkansas Traveler" as its state historical song, four official pieces in all.
Is "Natural State of Mind" the official state song of Arkansas?
No. "Natural State of Mind" is an original song written and sung by SongUp AI in 2026 as a new anthem for Arkansas. The official state song is "Arkansas (You Run Deep in Me) and Oh, Arkansas", both adopted in 1987. The official lyrics are not reproduced here; this page is about the facts of that song and about our own.
What is "Natural State of Mind" about?
A fiddle-and-mandolin bluegrass duet for the Natural State, built around the Ozarks, the Buffalo National River, the Hot Springs bathhouses and the rice fields of the Arkansas Delta. The bridge quotes the state motto, "Regnat populus". It names the Ozarks, Hot Springs, the Buffalo River, Little Rock and rice fields of the Delta, with the state bird (northern mockingbird) and state flower (apple blossom) in the lyrics.
Who wrote "Arkansas (You Run Deep in Me) and Oh, Arkansas" and when was it adopted?
"Arkansas (You Run Deep in Me) and Oh, Arkansas" is credited to Wayland Holyfield; Terry Rose and Gary Klaff; it was both adopted in 1987. Arkansas also keeps "Arkansas" by Eva Ware Barnett as its state anthem and "The Arkansas Traveler" as its state historical song, four official pieces in all.
What are Arkansas's state symbols?
Arkansas is nicknamed The Natural State. Its capital is Little Rock and its largest city is Little Rock. It joined the Union on June 15, 1836 (25th state). The state motto is "Regnat populus (The people rule)", the state bird is the northern mockingbird and the state flower is the apple blossom.
Can I play or share "Natural State of Mind"?
Yes. Listen here as often as you like and share the page link. For a song of your own about Arkansas, 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 Arkansas?
Open the Create page, describe the song (for example "an upbeat country song about growing up in Little Rock, AR") 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.