Louisiana · The Pelican State · By Ismail Farooq, founder · Updated
Louisiana state song: the official anthem's story, and a new song to hear
Louisiana's official state song is “Give Me Louisiana and You Are My Sunshine”, adopted in 1970 and 1977. Below is the story of that song, the state's symbols, and “Bayou Sunshine”: a brand-new anthem SongUp AI wrote and sang for Louisiana, with its full lyrics.
An original song for Louisiana
New Orleans second-line brass and zydeco, accordion, washboard, trumpet and trombone, a swinging funky beat and a party chorus
“Bayou Sunshine” lyrics
Original words by SongUp AI, 2026. Male and female duet · New Orleans second-line brass and zydeco.
Verse 1
Trumpet on a Tremé corner, the second line rolls by
Cypress knees in the bayou where the brown pelicans fly
Accordion in Lafayette, a two-step on the floor
Louisiana, you're the spice that leaves me wanting more
Chorus
Bayou sunshine, laissez les bons temps rouler
Magnolias in the morning and a brass band on parade
From Baton Rouge to New Orleans, from Shreveport to the Gulf
Louisiana, you're the gumbo that I love
Verse 2
Beads are flying off the balconies on a Mardi Gras night
Crawfish boiling in the backyard, the whole family in sight
The river bending past the Quarter like it has for all these years
Louisiana, you can laugh me right out of my tears
Chorus
Bayou sunshine, laissez les bons temps rouler
Magnolias in the morning and a brass band on parade
From Baton Rouge to New Orleans, from Shreveport to the Gulf
Louisiana, you're the gumbo that I love
Bridge
Union, justice, confidence, and a little bit of sin
Louisiana, let the good times roll again
Chorus
Bayou sunshine, laissez les bons temps rouler
Magnolias in the morning and a brass band on parade
From Baton Rouge to New Orleans, from Shreveport to the Gulf
Louisiana, you're the gumbo that I love
About “Bayou Sunshine”
Louisiana's song is a New Orleans brass band meeting Lafayette zydeco: trumpet, trombone, accordion and washboard over a second-line beat. The verses take in Tremé, the bayou, Cajun two-steps, Mardi Gras and a crawfish boil.
The brown pelican and magnolia are the state bird and flower, and the bridge lists the motto. Louisiana has two official songs, "Give Me Louisiana" and "You Are My Sunshine", the latter co-written by two-time governor Jimmie Davis.
Places and symbols in the song
- New Orleans and the French Quarter
- the bayou
- Mardi Gras
- gumbo and crawfish
- the Mississippi River
- Brown pelican
- Magnolia
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 Louisiana
- Title
- “Give Me Louisiana and You Are My Sunshine”
- Written by
- Doralice Fontane; Jimmie Davis and Charles Mitchell
- Status
- adopted in 1970 and 1977
Jimmie Davis, who recorded "You Are My Sunshine" in 1940, was twice elected governor of Louisiana; the state also has an official march and an official environmental song.
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.
Louisiana at a glance
- Nickname
- The Pelican State
- Capital
- Baton Rouge
- Largest city
- New Orleans
- Statehood
- April 30, 1812 (18th state)
- Motto
- Union, Justice, Confidence
- State bird
- Brown pelican
- State flower
- Magnolia
- Official state song
- "Give Me Louisiana and You Are My Sunshine" (in 1970 and 1977)
Questions about Louisiana's state song
What is the official state song of Louisiana?
The official state song of Louisiana is "Give Me Louisiana and You Are My Sunshine", Doralice Fontane; Jimmie Davis and Charles Mitchell, adopted in 1970 and 1977. Jimmie Davis, who recorded "You Are My Sunshine" in 1940, was twice elected governor of Louisiana; the state also has an official march and an official environmental song.
Is "Bayou Sunshine" the official state song of Louisiana?
No. "Bayou Sunshine" is an original song written and sung by SongUp AI in 2026 as a new anthem for Louisiana. The official state song is "Give Me Louisiana and You Are My Sunshine", adopted in 1970 and 1977. The official lyrics are not reproduced here; this page is about the facts of that song and about our own.
What is "Bayou Sunshine" about?
Louisiana's song is a New Orleans brass band meeting Lafayette zydeco: trumpet, trombone, accordion and washboard over a second-line beat. The verses take in Tremé, the bayou, Cajun two-steps, Mardi Gras and a crawfish boil. It names New Orleans and the French Quarter, the bayou, Mardi Gras, gumbo and crawfish and the Mississippi River, with the state bird (brown pelican) and state flower (magnolia) in the lyrics.
Who wrote "Give Me Louisiana and You Are My Sunshine" and when was it adopted?
"Give Me Louisiana and You Are My Sunshine" is credited to Doralice Fontane; Jimmie Davis and Charles Mitchell; it was adopted in 1970 and 1977. Jimmie Davis, who recorded "You Are My Sunshine" in 1940, was twice elected governor of Louisiana; the state also has an official march and an official environmental song.
What are Louisiana's state symbols?
Louisiana is nicknamed The Pelican State. Its capital is Baton Rouge and its largest city is New Orleans. It joined the Union on April 30, 1812 (18th state). The state motto is "Union, Justice, Confidence", the state bird is the brown pelican and the state flower is the magnolia.
Can I play or share "Bayou Sunshine"?
Yes. Listen here as often as you like and share the page link. For a song of your own about Louisiana, 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 Louisiana?
Open the Create page, describe the song (for example "an upbeat country song about growing up in New Orleans, LA") 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.