New Hampshire · The Granite State · By Ismail Farooq, founder · Updated
New Hampshire state song: the official anthem's story, and a new song to hear
New Hampshire's official state song is “Old New Hampshire”, adopted in 1949. Below is the story of that song, the state's symbols, and “Live Free”: a brand-new anthem SongUp AI wrote and sang for New Hampshire, with its full lyrics.
An original song for New Hampshire
Rugged acoustic rock with mandolin, stomping drums, electric guitar swells and a defiant, anthemic chorus
“Live Free” lyrics
Original words by SongUp AI, 2026. Male vocal · Rugged acoustic rock with mandolin.
Verse 1
Granite under everything, the mountains wearing white
Mount Washington is making wind that's stronger than the night
Purple lilacs by the door, a finch on the rail
New Hampshire, you're the strong and small that never seems to fail
Chorus
Live free or die, that's the words we carry
From Winnipesaukee to the Whites, from Concord to the ferry
Maple red in October, snow in Franconia Notch
New Hampshire, you're the ground I stand on and I'll never let you drop
Verse 2
Portsmouth on the harbor, the tugboats painted red
A town meeting in March where everybody's heard and said
The first vote in the nation up in Dixville Notch at night
New Hampshire, you're the first to get it right
Chorus
Live free or die, that's the words we carry
From Winnipesaukee to the Whites, from Concord to the ferry
Maple red in October, snow in Franconia Notch
New Hampshire, you're the ground I stand on and I'll never let you drop
Bridge
Thirteen miles of coastline and a thousand miles of pride
New Hampshire, live free, we never hide
Chorus
Live free or die, that's the words we carry
From Winnipesaukee to the Whites, from Concord to the ferry
Maple red in October, snow in Franconia Notch
New Hampshire, you're the ground I stand on and I'll never let you drop
About “Live Free”
New Hampshire's song is rugged acoustic rock with a defiant chorus built on the motto, "Live Free or Die". The White Mountains and Mount Washington, Lake Winnipesaukee, Franconia Notch, Portsmouth harbor and the midnight vote at Dixville Notch all appear.
The purple finch and purple lilac are the state bird and flower. New Hampshire's official song is "Old New Hampshire" (1949), alongside nine honorary state songs.
Places and symbols in the song
- the White Mountains
- Mount Washington
- Lake Winnipesaukee
- Portsmouth harbor
- autumn foliage
- Purple finch
- Purple lilac
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 New Hampshire
- Title
- “Old New Hampshire”
- Written by
- words by Dr. John F. Holmes, music by Maurice Hoffmann
- Status
- adopted in 1949
New Hampshire also lists nine honorary state songs, more than any other state.
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.
New Hampshire at a glance
- Nickname
- The Granite State
- Capital
- Concord
- Largest city
- Manchester
- Statehood
- June 21, 1788 (9th state)
- Motto
- Live Free or Die
- State bird
- Purple finch
- State flower
- Purple lilac
- Official state song
- "Old New Hampshire" (in 1949)
Questions about New Hampshire's state song
What is the official state song of New Hampshire?
The official state song of New Hampshire is "Old New Hampshire", words by Dr. John F. Holmes, music by Maurice Hoffmann, adopted in 1949. New Hampshire also lists nine honorary state songs, more than any other state.
Is "Live Free" the official state song of New Hampshire?
No. "Live Free" is an original song written and sung by SongUp AI in 2026 as a new anthem for New Hampshire. The official state song is "Old New Hampshire", 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 "Live Free" about?
New Hampshire's song is rugged acoustic rock with a defiant chorus built on the motto, "Live Free or Die". The White Mountains and Mount Washington, Lake Winnipesaukee, Franconia Notch, Portsmouth harbor and the midnight vote at Dixville Notch all appear. It names the White Mountains, Mount Washington, Lake Winnipesaukee, Portsmouth harbor and autumn foliage, with the state bird (purple finch) and state flower (purple lilac) in the lyrics.
Who wrote "Old New Hampshire" and when was it adopted?
"Old New Hampshire" is credited to words by Dr. John F. Holmes, music by Maurice Hoffmann; it was adopted in 1949. New Hampshire also lists nine honorary state songs, more than any other state.
What are New Hampshire's state symbols?
New Hampshire is nicknamed The Granite State. Its capital is Concord and its largest city is Manchester. It joined the Union on June 21, 1788 (9th state). The state motto is "Live Free or Die", the state bird is the purple finch and the state flower is the purple lilac.
Can I play or share "Live Free"?
Yes. Listen here as often as you like and share the page link. For a song of your own about New Hampshire, 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 New Hampshire?
Open the Create page, describe the song (for example "an upbeat country song about growing up in Manchester, NH") 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.