Idaho · The Gem State · By Ismail Farooq, founder · Updated
Idaho state song: the official anthem's story, and a new song to hear
Idaho's official state song is “Here We Have Idaho”, adopted in 1931. Below is the story of that song, the state's symbols, and “Gem State Morning”: a brand-new anthem SongUp AI wrote and sang for Idaho, with its full lyrics.
An original song for Idaho
Upbeat mountain country-folk with acoustic guitar, fiddle, light banjo and a bright, open-road chorus
“Gem State Morning” lyrics
Original words by SongUp AI, 2026. Male vocal · Upbeat mountain country-folk with acoustic guitar.
Verse 1
Sawtooth peaks are catching fire in the first light of the day
The Snake River winds through canyon walls and carries on its way
Potato fields in Blackfoot, hay bales stacked in rows
Idaho, you're the quiet kind of beauty nobody knows
Chorus
Gem State morning, mountain bluebird on the wing
Syringa in the canyon, hear the whole wide valley sing
From Boise to Coeur d'Alene, from Sun Valley to the falls
Idaho, you're the home my heart answers when it calls
Verse 2
Shoshone Falls is roaring higher than Niagara ever did
Lake Coeur d'Alene's as blue as any dream I ever hid
Hells Canyon deep and silent, the Clearwater running cold
Esto perpetua, may you never grow old
Chorus
Gem State morning, mountain bluebird on the wing
Syringa in the canyon, hear the whole wide valley sing
From Boise to Coeur d'Alene, from Sun Valley to the falls
Idaho, you're the home my heart answers when it calls
Bridge
Star garnets in the ground and stars across the sky
Idaho, I'll love you till the rivers all run dry
Chorus
Gem State morning, mountain bluebird on the wing
Syringa in the canyon, hear the whole wide valley sing
From Boise to Coeur d'Alene, from Sun Valley to the falls
Idaho, you're the home my heart answers when it calls
About “Gem State Morning”
An upbeat country-folk tune for the Gem State, with fiddle and banjo under lyrics about the Sawtooths, the Snake River, Shoshone Falls (taller than Niagara), Hells Canyon and Lake Coeur d'Alene. The potato fields of Blackfoot get their verse too.
The mountain bluebird and syringa are the state bird and flower; the star garnet is the state gem. Idaho's official song, "Here We Have Idaho", has been in place since 1931.
Places and symbols in the song
- the Sawtooth Mountains
- the Snake River
- Boise
- Shoshone Falls
- Idaho potatoes
- Mountain bluebird
- Syringa (mock orange)
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 Idaho
- Title
- “Here We Have Idaho”
- Written by
- words by McKinley Helm and Albert J. Tompkins, music by Sallie Hume Douglas
- Status
- adopted in 1931
The melody began as a 1915 song called "Garden of Paradise"; University of Idaho students put Idaho words to it before the state made it official.
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.
Idaho at a glance
- Nickname
- The Gem State
- Capital
- Boise
- Largest city
- Boise
- Statehood
- July 3, 1890 (43rd state)
- Motto
- Esto perpetua (Let it be perpetual)
- State bird
- Mountain bluebird
- State flower
- Syringa (mock orange)
- Official state song
- "Here We Have Idaho" (in 1931)
Questions about Idaho's state song
What is the official state song of Idaho?
The official state song of Idaho is "Here We Have Idaho", words by McKinley Helm and Albert J. Tompkins, music by Sallie Hume Douglas, adopted in 1931. The melody began as a 1915 song called "Garden of Paradise"; University of Idaho students put Idaho words to it before the state made it official.
Is "Gem State Morning" the official state song of Idaho?
No. "Gem State Morning" is an original song written and sung by SongUp AI in 2026 as a new anthem for Idaho. The official state song is "Here We Have Idaho", adopted in 1931. The official lyrics are not reproduced here; this page is about the facts of that song and about our own.
What is "Gem State Morning" about?
An upbeat country-folk tune for the Gem State, with fiddle and banjo under lyrics about the Sawtooths, the Snake River, Shoshone Falls (taller than Niagara), Hells Canyon and Lake Coeur d'Alene. The potato fields of Blackfoot get their verse too. It names the Sawtooth Mountains, the Snake River, Boise, Shoshone Falls and Idaho potatoes, with the state bird (mountain bluebird) and state flower (syringa (mock orange)) in the lyrics.
Who wrote "Here We Have Idaho" and when was it adopted?
"Here We Have Idaho" is credited to words by McKinley Helm and Albert J. Tompkins, music by Sallie Hume Douglas; it was adopted in 1931. The melody began as a 1915 song called "Garden of Paradise"; University of Idaho students put Idaho words to it before the state made it official.
What are Idaho's state symbols?
Idaho is nicknamed The Gem State. Its capital is Boise and its largest city is Boise. It joined the Union on July 3, 1890 (43rd state). The state motto is "Esto perpetua (Let it be perpetual)", the state bird is the mountain bluebird and the state flower is the syringa (mock orange).
Can I play or share "Gem State Morning"?
Yes. Listen here as often as you like and share the page link. For a song of your own about Idaho, 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 Idaho?
Open the Create page, describe the song (for example "an upbeat country song about growing up in Boise, ID") 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.