Indiana · The Hoosier State · By Ismail Farooq, founder · Updated
Indiana state song: the official anthem's story, and a new song to hear
Indiana's official state song is “On the Banks of the Wabash, Far Away”, adopted in 1913. Below is the story of that song, the state's symbols, and “Crossroads of America”: a brand-new anthem SongUp AI wrote and sang for Indiana, with its full lyrics.
An original song for Indiana
Heartland rock with ringing guitars, piano, driving drums and a stadium-size chorus
“Crossroads of America” lyrics
Original words by SongUp AI, 2026. Male vocal · Heartland rock with ringing guitars.
Verse 1
Engines roar in Speedway town on a hot Memorial Day
The Wabash rolling slow and brown the way it always may
A hoop above a barn door and a kid who won't go in
Indiana, you're the place where every dream begins
Chorus
Crossroads of America, every road comes through
Cardinal in the peony, the limestone and the dew
From the Dunes to the Ohio, from Gary to the farms
Indiana, you're the Hoosier heart that holds me in your arms
Verse 2
Covered bridges in Parke County wear October gold
Bloomington on game night, the field house loud and bold
Fort Wayne and Evansville, South Bend in the snow
Indiana, you're the home I never let go
Chorus
Crossroads of America, every road comes through
Cardinal in the peony, the limestone and the dew
From the Dunes to the Ohio, from Gary to the farms
Indiana, you're the Hoosier heart that holds me in your arms
Bridge
Lincoln grew up here, so did a hundred songs
Indiana, you're where I belong
Chorus
Crossroads of America, every road comes through
Cardinal in the peony, the limestone and the dew
From the Dunes to the Ohio, from Gary to the farms
Indiana, you're the Hoosier heart that holds me in your arms
About “Crossroads of America”
A heartland rock anthem for Indiana, loud enough for the Indianapolis 500 the first verse opens on. It passes the Wabash River, the Indiana Dunes on Lake Michigan, the covered bridges of Parke County and the state's basketball religion.
The cardinal and peony are the state bird and flower and the chorus is built on the motto, "The Crossroads of America". Indiana's official song, "On the Banks of the Wabash, Far Away", dates from 1897 and was adopted in 1913.
Places and symbols in the song
- the Indianapolis 500
- the Wabash River
- Indiana Dunes
- Hoosier basketball
- covered bridges of Parke County
- Northern cardinal
- Peony
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 Indiana
- Title
- “On the Banks of the Wabash, Far Away”
- Written by
- Paul Dresser
- Status
- adopted in 1913
Written in 1897 by Terre Haute songwriter Paul Dresser, brother of novelist Theodore Dreiser, it was one of the best-selling songs of its decade before Indiana 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.
Indiana at a glance
- Nickname
- The Hoosier State
- Capital
- Indianapolis
- Largest city
- Indianapolis
- Statehood
- December 11, 1816 (19th state)
- Motto
- The Crossroads of America
- State bird
- Northern cardinal
- State flower
- Peony
- Official state song
- "On the Banks of the Wabash, Far Away" (in 1913)
Questions about Indiana's state song
What is the official state song of Indiana?
The official state song of Indiana is "On the Banks of the Wabash, Far Away", Paul Dresser, adopted in 1913. Written in 1897 by Terre Haute songwriter Paul Dresser, brother of novelist Theodore Dreiser, it was one of the best-selling songs of its decade before Indiana made it official.
Is "Crossroads of America" the official state song of Indiana?
No. "Crossroads of America" is an original song written and sung by SongUp AI in 2026 as a new anthem for Indiana. The official state song is "On the Banks of the Wabash, Far Away", adopted in 1913. The official lyrics are not reproduced here; this page is about the facts of that song and about our own.
What is "Crossroads of America" about?
A heartland rock anthem for Indiana, loud enough for the Indianapolis 500 the first verse opens on. It passes the Wabash River, the Indiana Dunes on Lake Michigan, the covered bridges of Parke County and the state's basketball religion. It names the Indianapolis 500, the Wabash River, Indiana Dunes, Hoosier basketball and covered bridges of Parke County, with the state bird (northern cardinal) and state flower (peony) in the lyrics.
Who wrote "On the Banks of the Wabash, Far Away" and when was it adopted?
"On the Banks of the Wabash, Far Away" is credited to Paul Dresser; it was adopted in 1913. Written in 1897 by Terre Haute songwriter Paul Dresser, brother of novelist Theodore Dreiser, it was one of the best-selling songs of its decade before Indiana made it official.
What are Indiana's state symbols?
Indiana is nicknamed The Hoosier State. Its capital is Indianapolis and its largest city is Indianapolis. It joined the Union on December 11, 1816 (19th state). The state motto is "The Crossroads of America", the state bird is the northern cardinal and the state flower is the peony.
Can I play or share "Crossroads of America"?
Yes. Listen here as often as you like and share the page link. For a song of your own about Indiana, 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 Indiana?
Open the Create page, describe the song (for example "an upbeat country song about growing up in Indianapolis, IN") 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.