Missouri · The Show-Me State · By Ismail Farooq, founder · Updated
Missouri state song: the official anthem's story, and a new song to hear
Missouri's official state song is “Missouri Waltz”, adopted in 1949. Below is the story of that song, the state's symbols, and “Show Me”: a brand-new anthem SongUp AI wrote and sang for Missouri, with its full lyrics.
An original song for Missouri
Kansas City jazz-swing meets St. Louis blues, walking bass, brushed drums, piano, horns and a swinging chorus
“Show Me” lyrics
Original words by SongUp AI, 2026. Female vocal · Kansas City jazz-swing meets St. Louis blues.
Verse 1
The Arch is shining silver where the rivers come to meet
Barbecue smoke in Kansas City drifting down the street
Bluebirds on the hawthorn and the Ozark hills in bloom
Missouri, you're a melody that fills up every room
Chorus
Show me, Missouri, show me what you've got
Two big rivers, two big cities, and a whole lot in the middle, not forgot
From St. Louis to Kansas City, from Hannibal to the lakes
Missouri, you're the proof I need, whatever it takes
Verse 2
Huck and Tom are on the river where the Mississippi bends
Route 66 through Springfield where the old road never ends
Branson lights and Lake of the Ozarks in July
Missouri, you're the heartland underneath a big sky
Chorus
Show me, Missouri, show me what you've got
Two big rivers, two big cities, and a whole lot in the middle, not forgot
From St. Louis to Kansas City, from Hannibal to the lakes
Missouri, you're the proof I need, whatever it takes
Bridge
The welfare of the people is the law that we live by
Missouri, show me one more time
Chorus
Show me, Missouri, show me what you've got
Two big rivers, two big cities, and a whole lot in the middle, not forgot
From St. Louis to Kansas City, from Hannibal to the lakes
Missouri, you're the proof I need, whatever it takes
About “Show Me”
Missouri's song swings: Kansas City jazz and St. Louis blues, horns and walking bass, with a chorus built on the Show-Me State nickname. The Gateway Arch, Kansas City barbecue, Mark Twain's Hannibal, Route 66 and the Lake of the Ozarks all appear.
The eastern bluebird and hawthorn blossom are the state bird and flower. The official "Missouri Waltz" has been in place since 1949, despite President Truman's dislike of it.
Places and symbols in the song
- the Gateway Arch
- Kansas City barbecue
- the Ozarks
- Route 66
- the Missouri River
- Eastern bluebird
- White hawthorn blossom
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 Missouri
- Title
- “Missouri Waltz”
- Written by
- music by John Valentine Eppel, arranged by Frederic Knight Logan, words by J. R. Shannon
- Status
- adopted in 1949
President Harry Truman, a Missourian, famously disliked the song; the state adopted it anyway during his presidency.
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.
Missouri at a glance
- Nickname
- The Show-Me State
- Capital
- Jefferson City
- Largest city
- Kansas City
- Statehood
- August 10, 1821 (24th state)
- Motto
- Salus populi suprema lex esto (Let the welfare of the people be the supreme law)
- State bird
- Eastern bluebird
- State flower
- White hawthorn blossom
- Official state song
- "Missouri Waltz" (in 1949)
Questions about Missouri's state song
What is the official state song of Missouri?
The official state song of Missouri is "Missouri Waltz", music by John Valentine Eppel, arranged by Frederic Knight Logan, words by J. R. Shannon, adopted in 1949. President Harry Truman, a Missourian, famously disliked the song; the state adopted it anyway during his presidency.
Is "Show Me" the official state song of Missouri?
No. "Show Me" is an original song written and sung by SongUp AI in 2026 as a new anthem for Missouri. The official state song is "Missouri Waltz", adopted in 1949. The official lyrics are not reproduced here; this page is about the facts of that song and about our own.
What is "Show Me" about?
Missouri's song swings: Kansas City jazz and St. Louis blues, horns and walking bass, with a chorus built on the Show-Me State nickname. The Gateway Arch, Kansas City barbecue, Mark Twain's Hannibal, Route 66 and the Lake of the Ozarks all appear. It names the Gateway Arch, Kansas City barbecue, the Ozarks, Route 66 and the Missouri River, with the state bird (eastern bluebird) and state flower (white hawthorn blossom) in the lyrics.
Who wrote "Missouri Waltz" and when was it adopted?
"Missouri Waltz" is credited to music by John Valentine Eppel, arranged by Frederic Knight Logan, words by J. R. Shannon; it was adopted in 1949. President Harry Truman, a Missourian, famously disliked the song; the state adopted it anyway during his presidency.
What are Missouri's state symbols?
Missouri is nicknamed The Show-Me State. Its capital is Jefferson City and its largest city is Kansas City. It joined the Union on August 10, 1821 (24th state). The state motto is "Salus populi suprema lex esto (Let the welfare of the people be the supreme law)", the state bird is the eastern bluebird and the state flower is the white hawthorn blossom.
Can I play or share "Show Me"?
Yes. Listen here as often as you like and share the page link. For a song of your own about Missouri, 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 Missouri?
Open the Create page, describe the song (for example "an upbeat country song about growing up in Kansas City, MO") 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.