Nebraska · The Cornhusker State · By Ismail Farooq, founder · Updated
Nebraska state song: the official anthem's story, and a new song to hear
Nebraska's official state song is “Beautiful Nebraska”, adopted in 1967. Below is the story of that song, the state's symbols, and “Cornhusker Sky”: a brand-new anthem SongUp AI wrote and sang for Nebraska, with its full lyrics.
An original song for Nebraska
Open-plains country-folk with acoustic guitar, pedal steel, gentle drums and a sunset chorus with warm harmonies
“Cornhusker Sky” lyrics
Original words by SongUp AI, 2026. Female vocal · Open-plains country-folk with acoustic guitar.
Verse 1
Sandhill cranes come down in March along the shallow Platte
A half a million wings at once, no one forgets that
Goldenrod along the fence, the meadowlark in song
Nebraska, you're the gentle strength that carries us along
Chorus
Cornhusker sky, equality before the law
The Sandhills roll like ocean waves, the prettiest I ever saw
From Omaha to Scottsbluff, from Lincoln to the line
Nebraska, you're the open heart that's forever mine
Verse 2
Chimney Rock still standing like it did for wagon trains
A sea of red in Lincoln when the fall comes to the plains
Steaks in Omaha, Kool-Aid in Hastings, runzas on the way
Nebraska, you're the good life every single day
Chorus
Cornhusker sky, equality before the law
The Sandhills roll like ocean waves, the prettiest I ever saw
From Omaha to Scottsbluff, from Lincoln to the line
Nebraska, you're the open heart that's forever mine
Bridge
The pioneers kept going, and so do we
Nebraska, you're the good life for me
Chorus
Cornhusker sky, equality before the law
The Sandhills roll like ocean waves, the prettiest I ever saw
From Omaha to Scottsbluff, from Lincoln to the line
Nebraska, you're the open heart that's forever mine
About “Cornhusker Sky”
Nebraska's song is open-plains country-folk, opening on the sandhill crane migration along the Platte River each March. The Sandhills, Chimney Rock on the Oregon Trail, Memorial Stadium's sea of red, Omaha steaks and Hastings, birthplace of Kool-Aid, all appear.
The western meadowlark and goldenrod are the state bird and flower, and the chorus quotes the motto. "Beautiful Nebraska" became the official song in the 1967 centennial year.
Places and symbols in the song
- the Sandhills
- the Platte River and sandhill cranes
- Chimney Rock
- Omaha
- Memorial Stadium in Lincoln
- Western meadowlark
- Goldenrod
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 Nebraska
- Title
- “Beautiful Nebraska”
- Written by
- Jim Fras and Guy G. Miller
- Status
- adopted in 1967
Jim Fras, a Russian-born immigrant who settled in Lincoln, wrote the melody; the state adopted it for its centennial year.
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.
Nebraska at a glance
- Nickname
- The Cornhusker State
- Capital
- Lincoln
- Largest city
- Omaha
- Statehood
- March 1, 1867 (37th state)
- Motto
- Equality before the law
- State bird
- Western meadowlark
- State flower
- Goldenrod
- Official state song
- "Beautiful Nebraska" (in 1967)
Questions about Nebraska's state song
What is the official state song of Nebraska?
The official state song of Nebraska is "Beautiful Nebraska", Jim Fras and Guy G. Miller, adopted in 1967. Jim Fras, a Russian-born immigrant who settled in Lincoln, wrote the melody; the state adopted it for its centennial year.
Is "Cornhusker Sky" the official state song of Nebraska?
No. "Cornhusker Sky" is an original song written and sung by SongUp AI in 2026 as a new anthem for Nebraska. The official state song is "Beautiful Nebraska", adopted in 1967. The official lyrics are not reproduced here; this page is about the facts of that song and about our own.
What is "Cornhusker Sky" about?
Nebraska's song is open-plains country-folk, opening on the sandhill crane migration along the Platte River each March. The Sandhills, Chimney Rock on the Oregon Trail, Memorial Stadium's sea of red, Omaha steaks and Hastings, birthplace of Kool-Aid, all appear. It names the Sandhills, the Platte River and sandhill cranes, Chimney Rock, Omaha and Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, with the state bird (western meadowlark) and state flower (goldenrod) in the lyrics.
Who wrote "Beautiful Nebraska" and when was it adopted?
"Beautiful Nebraska" is credited to Jim Fras and Guy G. Miller; it was adopted in 1967. Jim Fras, a Russian-born immigrant who settled in Lincoln, wrote the melody; the state adopted it for its centennial year.
What are Nebraska's state symbols?
Nebraska is nicknamed The Cornhusker State. Its capital is Lincoln and its largest city is Omaha. It joined the Union on March 1, 1867 (37th state). The state motto is "Equality before the law", the state bird is the western meadowlark and the state flower is the goldenrod.
Can I play or share "Cornhusker Sky"?
Yes. Listen here as often as you like and share the page link. For a song of your own about Nebraska, 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 Nebraska?
Open the Create page, describe the song (for example "an upbeat country song about growing up in Omaha, NE") 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.