Illinois · The Prairie State · By Ismail Farooq, founder · Updated
Illinois state song: the official anthem's story, and a new song to hear
Illinois's official state song is “Illinois”, adopted in 1925. Below is the story of that song, the state's symbols, and “Prairie State Lights”: a brand-new anthem SongUp AI wrote and sang for Illinois, with its full lyrics.
An original song for Illinois
Chicago blues-rock with soul horns, electric guitar, Hammond organ and a big-city chorus
“Prairie State Lights” lyrics
Original words by SongUp AI, 2026. Male vocal · Chicago blues-rock with soul horns.
Verse 1
The lake is throwing silver at the towers of the Loop
The L is rattling overhead, the blues are in the group
Out past the city limits the corn runs on for days
Illinois, you're the big and small in all your different ways
Chorus
Prairie State lights from Chicago to Cairo
A cardinal on the fencepost where the violets grow
Lincoln's town in Springfield, Route 66 unrolled
Illinois, you're the heartland and the heart is made of gold
Verse 2
Deep-dish on a Friday, a Cubs game in the sun
Galena in the autumn when the leaves are nearly done
The Mississippi on the west, the Wabash on the east
And the whole wide prairie in between is where my soul finds peace
Chorus
Prairie State lights from Chicago to Cairo
A cardinal on the fencepost where the violets grow
Lincoln's town in Springfield, Route 66 unrolled
Illinois, you're the heartland and the heart is made of gold
Bridge
State sovereignty, national union, that's the words we chose
Illinois, you're the river that forever flows
Chorus
Prairie State lights from Chicago to Cairo
A cardinal on the fencepost where the violets grow
Lincoln's town in Springfield, Route 66 unrolled
Illinois, you're the heartland and the heart is made of gold
About “Prairie State Lights”
Illinois' anthem is Chicago blues-rock with horns and organ, the sound of the South Side clubs. The verses hold the Loop and the L, Lake Michigan, Lincoln's Springfield, Galena, Route 66 and the cornfields that cover most of the state.
The northern cardinal and violet are the state bird and flower, and the bridge quotes the motto. The official state song, "Illinois", was adopted in 1925.
Places and symbols in the song
- Chicago skyline
- Lake Michigan
- Route 66
- Springfield and Lincoln
- the prairie cornfields
- Northern cardinal
- Violet
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 Illinois
- Title
- “Illinois”
- Written by
- words by Charles H. Chamberlin, music by Archibald Johnston
- Status
- adopted in 1925
The words were written in the 1890s and set to the older tune "Baby Mine"; the state has kept it as its only official song since 1925.
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.
Illinois at a glance
- Nickname
- The Prairie State
- Capital
- Springfield
- Largest city
- Chicago
- Statehood
- December 3, 1818 (21st state)
- Motto
- State Sovereignty, National Union
- State bird
- Northern cardinal
- State flower
- Violet
- Official state song
- "Illinois" (in 1925)
Questions about Illinois's state song
What is the official state song of Illinois?
The official state song of Illinois is "Illinois", words by Charles H. Chamberlin, music by Archibald Johnston, adopted in 1925. The words were written in the 1890s and set to the older tune "Baby Mine"; the state has kept it as its only official song since 1925.
Is "Prairie State Lights" the official state song of Illinois?
No. "Prairie State Lights" is an original song written and sung by SongUp AI in 2026 as a new anthem for Illinois. The official state song is "Illinois", adopted in 1925. The official lyrics are not reproduced here; this page is about the facts of that song and about our own.
What is "Prairie State Lights" about?
Illinois' anthem is Chicago blues-rock with horns and organ, the sound of the South Side clubs. The verses hold the Loop and the L, Lake Michigan, Lincoln's Springfield, Galena, Route 66 and the cornfields that cover most of the state. It names Chicago skyline, Lake Michigan, Route 66, Springfield and Lincoln and the prairie cornfields, with the state bird (northern cardinal) and state flower (violet) in the lyrics.
Who wrote "Illinois" and when was it adopted?
"Illinois" is credited to words by Charles H. Chamberlin, music by Archibald Johnston; it was adopted in 1925. The words were written in the 1890s and set to the older tune "Baby Mine"; the state has kept it as its only official song since 1925.
What are Illinois's state symbols?
Illinois is nicknamed The Prairie State. Its capital is Springfield and its largest city is Chicago. It joined the Union on December 3, 1818 (21st state). The state motto is "State Sovereignty, National Union", the state bird is the northern cardinal and the state flower is the violet.
Can I play or share "Prairie State Lights"?
Yes. Listen here as often as you like and share the page link. For a song of your own about Illinois, 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 Illinois?
Open the Create page, describe the song (for example "an upbeat country song about growing up in Chicago, IL") 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.