Massachusetts · The Bay State · By Ismail Farooq, founder · Updated
Massachusetts state song: the official anthem's story, and a new song to hear
Massachusetts's official state song is “All Hail to Massachusetts”, named the state song in 1966 and made official in 1981. Below is the story of that song, the state's symbols, and “Bay State Bells”: a brand-new anthem SongUp AI wrote and sang for Massachusetts, with its full lyrics.
An original song for Massachusetts
Boston folk-rock with Irish fiddle, pub piano, driving acoustic guitar and a crowd-size chorus
“Bay State Bells” lyrics
Original words by SongUp AI, 2026. Male vocal · Boston folk-rock with Irish fiddle.
Verse 1
Church bells over Boston where the Freedom Trail runs red
A midnight ride in April that the whole world heard ahead
The Charles is full of rowers and the Common's full of spring
Massachusetts, you're the start of nearly everything
Chorus
Bay State bells are ringing from the Cape up to the hills
Chickadee in the mayflower where the April rain spills
From Fenway to Nantucket, from Lowell to the Cape
Massachusetts, you're the stubborn, brilliant shape I take
Verse 2
Clam shacks out in Wellfleet, the dunes at Provincetown
The Berkshires red in autumn as the leaves come tumbling down
Lamplight in a Cambridge lab where someone changed the world
Massachusetts, you're the flag that first got unfurled
Chorus
Bay State bells are ringing from the Cape up to the hills
Chickadee in the mayflower where the April rain spills
From Fenway to Nantucket, from Lowell to the Cape
Massachusetts, you're the stubborn, brilliant shape I take
Bridge
Peace, but only under liberty, the old seal tells it true
Massachusetts, every revolution starts with you
Chorus
Bay State bells are ringing from the Cape up to the hills
Chickadee in the mayflower where the April rain spills
From Fenway to Nantucket, from Lowell to the Cape
Massachusetts, you're the stubborn, brilliant shape I take
About “Bay State Bells”
A Boston folk-rock anthem with Irish fiddle and pub piano for the Bay State. The lyrics run the Freedom Trail and Paul Revere's ride, Fenway Park, the Charles River, Cape Cod clam shacks, the Berkshires and the Cambridge labs.
The chickadee and mayflower are the state bird and flower; the bridge paraphrases the long Latin motto. Massachusetts' official song is "All Hail to Massachusetts", among several official state pieces including Arlo Guthrie's folk song.
Places and symbols in the song
- Fenway Park
- Cape Cod
- the Freedom Trail
- Harvard and MIT
- the Berkshires
- Black-capped chickadee
- Mayflower
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 Massachusetts
- Title
- “All Hail to Massachusetts”
- Written by
- Arthur J. Marsh
- Status
- named the state song in 1966 and made official in 1981
Massachusetts also keeps a state folk song, "Massachusetts" by Arlo Guthrie, and a state ceremonial march, among several official pieces.
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.
Massachusetts at a glance
- Nickname
- The Bay State
- Capital
- Boston
- Largest city
- Boston
- Statehood
- February 6, 1788 (6th state)
- Motto
- Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem (By the sword we seek peace, but peace only under liberty)
- State bird
- Black-capped chickadee
- State flower
- Mayflower
- Official state song
- "All Hail to Massachusetts" (named the state song in 1966 and made official in 1981)
Questions about Massachusetts's state song
What is the official state song of Massachusetts?
The official state song of Massachusetts is "All Hail to Massachusetts", Arthur J. Marsh, named the state song in 1966 and made official in 1981. Massachusetts also keeps a state folk song, "Massachusetts" by Arlo Guthrie, and a state ceremonial march, among several official pieces.
Is "Bay State Bells" the official state song of Massachusetts?
No. "Bay State Bells" is an original song written and sung by SongUp AI in 2026 as a new anthem for Massachusetts. The official state song is "All Hail to Massachusetts", named the state song in 1966 and made official in 1981. The official lyrics are not reproduced here; this page is about the facts of that song and about our own.
What is "Bay State Bells" about?
A Boston folk-rock anthem with Irish fiddle and pub piano for the Bay State. The lyrics run the Freedom Trail and Paul Revere's ride, Fenway Park, the Charles River, Cape Cod clam shacks, the Berkshires and the Cambridge labs. It names Fenway Park, Cape Cod, the Freedom Trail, Harvard and MIT and the Berkshires, with the state bird (black-capped chickadee) and state flower (mayflower) in the lyrics.
Who wrote "All Hail to Massachusetts" and when was it adopted?
"All Hail to Massachusetts" is credited to Arthur J. Marsh; it was named the state song in 1966 and made official in 1981. Massachusetts also keeps a state folk song, "Massachusetts" by Arlo Guthrie, and a state ceremonial march, among several official pieces.
What are Massachusetts's state symbols?
Massachusetts is nicknamed The Bay State. Its capital is Boston and its largest city is Boston. It joined the Union on February 6, 1788 (6th state). The state motto is "Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem (By the sword we seek peace, but peace only under liberty)", the state bird is the black-capped chickadee and the state flower is the mayflower.
Can I play or share "Bay State Bells"?
Yes. Listen here as often as you like and share the page link. For a song of your own about Massachusetts, 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 Massachusetts?
Open the Create page, describe the song (for example "an upbeat country song about growing up in Boston, MA") 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.